06-09-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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c 6^4 Ed & Greda Toth Variance Application 3/18/02 DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST Describe request in detail: Estimated Construction Cost; $875,000 We are an '"empty nest” retired couple. We would like to build a lakeside home to live in which is sufficient size for our children and grandchildren to visit us in comfort We have lived in Orono for 13 years and love it here. Our request is that we can build a house, as it is described in this Variance application Additional Background Information We have a purchase agreement to buy the properties at 1280 and 1290 Spruce, contingent upon this Variance application approval, from the Killians who will be our new neighbors. We are extremely sensitive to the delicate lakefront ecology and have worked closely with the Killians and our designers to come up with a plan that will significantly improve the beauty and lakefront en vironment of these adjacent parcels. In a nutshell, the net impact of our two proposals (Toths ’ and Killians ’) is to remove about 3,000 square feet of hardcover from the 0’-75’ lake front zone. 3,000 square feet is the equivalent of one good sized or two extremely modest homes. The only man made items left in that zone are essential existing retaining walls needed for erosion control, and existing stairs so that we can walk to the edge of the water. Additionally, the net effect of our two proposals will be to reduce the overall site hardcover from 42% to 39% while removing a significant portion of hardcover which is presently in the 0’-75 zone and placing a reduced amount well within present day set backs. We have met several times with Orono planning officials and have continued to reduce the size of our proposed home until it has reached what we consider a functional minimum. Hardship/Description of Unusual Property Conditions Response First, we would love to continue to live u: Orono. It has been our home for 13 years and we wish to remain among our friends and neighbors. We also love our garden. My wife’s gardening has been featured multiple years in the annual garden tour. Now, regarding our new home. It is our understanding that these lots were subdivided at a time when the city’s lot requirements were much smaller. Subsequently, the area has been re-zoned with much higher minimum lot size requirements. This re-zoning has created a hardship by making historically buildable lots unbuildable. We therefore request that the city grants us a variance regarding minimum lot size and maximum allowable hardcover for these lots. Because tw o separate sewer hook ups have approved and maintained for many years, the lots could be developed separately and two homes could be built, one on each lot. (See Diagram of Proposal #1, Sheet #3 of attached supporting documents.) as ^ .v" t t M > y t-' ^ii L j