06-09-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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minutes OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, May 19,2003 6:00 o’clock p.m. Hawn asked whether they could consider the fact that the appF 'ants views would be severely limited if they were forced to pull the home back even further, especially aOer the neighbor had been granted an average lakeshore setback variance which further restricted his views. Gaffion felt this to be a legitimate hardship, plus, the neighboring home was at a higher elevation too. Mabusth reiterated that, the fact that, the applicants arc be required to have hardcover in the 75*250’ due to the steepness of the grade, they have lost the ability to use that hardcover elsewhere. Rahn referred to the fact that smaller lots require smaller houses, while at the same time acknowledging that the home was modest. He questioned whether the garage could be turned to end loading in order to gain some extra square feet. Bicker reiterated that, since the neighbor was given an average lakeshore setback variance, the applicant could not pull his home further back and still retain his lake views. Gaflfron acknowledged that, if you figured in the steps, walkway, rock walls, and retaining walls in the 75 ’-250’ setback, which is an unusual circumstance, one could argue that he deserves a credit for those things, plus a potential credit for the neighbors’ encroachment. Bremer suggested he be granted a 2% credit for these circumstances. Bieker felt that an additional credit could be given for being unable to pull the home back 10’ further, which would allow them to meet the 25% hardcover. Chair Smith reviewed the hardship position as the steepness and grade of the lot, the narrowness of the lot, and the encroachment of the neighbor. PAGE 49 of 37 4 i