10-24-2022 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 10, 2022 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 7 Charles Price, 2813 Casco Point Road, noted the notch of his home and the side fireplace sticking out which has windows out the side and straight towards the lake with an expansive, beautiful view. It has been stated that it will not affect his view and he could not disagree more. His home is a bit higher and they see everything, noting it is the tables, chairs, umbrellas, grills, and parties on the deck which would only be 22 feet from Mr. Price’s windows. He noted it is too close, it is too much, he is very concerned about the noise, lights, and parties. Going over hardcover creates runoff issues and these lots are high off the water with sandy, loamy soil. Mr. Price noted he wanted to attach his garage to his house several years ago and went through the procedure with the City and eventually gave up because it was not going to work until he got the hardcover down to 25% at the guidance from the Planning Commission. Carol Price, 2813 Casco Point Road, stated the proposed plans directly affect her property and enjoyment of the lake as she is directly adjacent on the west side. As noted, the existing home violates setbacks. In 1988 a cottage was demolished on her property and believes the side setbacks were 10 feet. Over the years she has been asked by neighbors to utilize her side property to get objects to the lake due to the narrow side setback of the existing 2815 home. The past July the Prices granted approval to Orono Fire to drive a fire truck along the side setback between the homes to get a truck in to put out the fire. The contractor working on the bluff is asking the Prices to drive over the side setback to get the heavy machinery back to the lake. She says this to enforce the importance of side setback rules. She spoke about the gable roof, an extruded box window, the new garage build, and the safety, sunlight, and airflow issue between the homes. Ms. Price noted there is no practical difficulty in re-shingling the existing roof compared to re-timbering the rafters in a different direction to construct a gable. This roof change will adversely affect drainage, the look of the house (larger mass structure), and the proposed timbers to be removed which are actually retaining walls. Ms. Price would like the Orono City Inspector to be sure the existing wood retaining walls are replaced correctly to mitigate dirt being swept away or landscape being damaged. Neighboring homes are in line with the ALS and she the current deck has been used extensively by the previous homeowner and has a lovely view of the lake. The proposed patio violates the ALS, the hardcover requirements, and will adversely funnel water towards the neighbors’ yards and bluffs. Ms. Price reiterated this deck will definitely impede views from her home and will degrade her property value. She asked the City Council to take into consideration the concerns of many neighbors and respect the unanimous decision by the Planning Commission and City Planner to reject the variances. Wes Byrne, 2817 Casco Point Road, put in bushes between the properties to give some privacy and now a deck would look into his yard. He is not very fond of the concept, he does not like the extra hardcover on the lakeside, and the water will stand in an area that slopes down into his yard. Penny Saiki, 2874 Casco Point Road, noted 2659 has a 4.5 foot sideyard and she finds it troubling that the City has all of these Ordinances and those who have been there have followed them to the T, pulling up plastic, walking stones, and clearing lots for hardcover; yet these variances are happening more frequently and sometimes a Planning Commissioner will say “don’t worry, take it to the Council and you’ll probably get it through.” Ms. Saiki asked why they all have to go through the steps if the Council will look the other way or agree with the Applicants? She asked why these people don’t buy bigger lots rather than wedging houses that are too big for these lots? She wants the City Council to follow their own rules because Ordinances are laws. Seals noted this does not meet practical difficulty at all. The 75 foot setback is very sacred, she is a no, and is for denial.