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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />October 17, 2022 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br />inside the property line that is being counted against them. He would be open to looking at that to give <br />them credit above and beyond. <br /> <br />McCutcheon spoke about the angle of the lot lines causing the setback at such a sharp angle. In looking at <br />the neighborhood they are jam-packed and it is a busy road with safety being a big concern. He considers <br />safety, practical difficulty, and that sharp angle. <br /> <br />Kirchner is of the opposite belief of most points made. He understands the spirit of giving credit for the <br />removal of hardcover in the right-of-way but then arguably they should expand everyone’s hardcover <br />allowance for every variance request to include the right-of-way in front of their home. He thinks it is a <br />slippery slope to add that as a consideration for this one. Kirchner does not think the size is egregious but <br />thinks 24x24 is standard size for a two car garage. <br /> <br />Erickson thinks a change from a zero setback to a setback is a huge improvement. The turnaround and <br />better access into the garage is another vital aspect of the application. He would have a different <br />interpretation of numbers 11 and 12 in the Staff report; 11 mentions health and safety and the improved <br />driveway is a big safety improvement. By having the third garage it puts less pressure on the turnaround <br />area to be used as parking which would then cause people to turn around on the County Road again. <br />Regarding number 12, Erickson thinks the garage and driveway increases the functionality of the home <br />and he does not consider those items as a convenience but something that adds functionality which leads <br />to improved safety. With those things in mind he would be willing to support the application as presented. <br /> <br />McCutcheon agrees it is a slippery slope. In a lakeshore community, with many visitors, that is a busy <br />road and backing into a busy road is not a good thing. It is a well thought-out design and it is improving <br />the situation. <br /> <br />Libby supports Kirchner’s leaning toward City Ordinance and noted it is hard not to agree with the <br />Commissioners who brought up more practical matters. His business office is off County Road 51 and he <br />is sensitive that it is a fast and busy road. He thinks having a turnaround rather than backing out is an <br />incredibly enhanced safety feature. It is difficult to be somewhat in the middle of these two very logical <br />approaches but he would tend to support the application. <br /> <br />Ressler moved, Libby seconded, to approve LA22-000052, 1780 Shadywood Road, variances as <br />applied. <br /> <br />Bollis asked if it would be possible to put a condition that there not be parking on the west side of the <br />garage at the spot they are eliminating. <br /> <br />Curtis noted parking spaces are hardcover. If the Applicant were to choose to park there they would put <br />themselves out of conformance. <br /> <br />VOTE: Ayes: 5, Nays 1 (Kirchner). <br /> <br />4. LA22-000023 TEXT AMENDMENT REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. <br />(STAFF: LAURA OAKDEN) <br /> <br />Oakden gave a presentation on the item, stating the Ordinance amendment would list accessory dwelling <br />units (ADU) as an accessory use in residential zoning districts. The Code Review Committee has