10-10-2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 26,2005 7:00 o’clock p.m. he believed the proposal would have a negative impact on neighboring property values and questioned how a substandard sized lot with a width of 133’ and 1.9 dry biiildable acres could support a house almost 6.S times larger than the current home. In his estimation, it was a large home for a small lot. Coward continued, pointing out that the structure itself would appear to be 3 stories tall or more from tlieir perspective on their site, and that the applicant would be constructing a retaining wall S’ off their property line the entire length with inadequate room for screening. With regard to the neighbors on the opposite side. Coward pointed out that even at 30’ from the property line, the home will still tower over the neighbor and shade them entirely. Me noted that the screening that did exist, 40-S0 ’ tali pine trees, had been removed by the applicant and no longer exist. In addition, the average lakeshore as equated, gives the Cowards a very limited lake view, other than that of cars, now that the trees have been removed. Leonard Dayton, 1980 Heritage Drive, stated that this kind of project in a neighborhood like this is completely out of character or not only the neighborhood, but also the community. Bob Stignna, 1930 Shoreline DrivO, questioned whether what the applicant was proposing to build was a residence or an apartment building/hotel. Alan Nettles, 1940 Shoreline Drive, stated that he believed the City Council was asking the right questions and understood the neighbors’ concerns. He agreed that the access should be changed to Heritage Drive. Nettles pointed out that hardships as recognized by the Code must be inherent to the land and not be imposed because the land does not fit the design of the applicant’s proposed home. Jenny Charrier, 1910 Heritage Drive, the opposite immediate neighbor, acknowledged tliat, though the applicant can develop the property, she questioned the scale to which they proposed to do so. She stated that she would be subjected to viewing an enormous wall the entire length of her driveway and property line, views obstructed and entirely shaded, and any sense privacy that once existed would be greatly compromised. Charlie Krogness, I8S S. Brown Road, stated that this proposal was absolutely not reflective of the character of Orono tfiat the Rural Oasis Study was implemented to preserve. He urged the