02-26-1979 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I February, 1979 CITY OF ORONO LAND USE PLANNING - ZONING VARIANCE INFORMATION (Keep this page for your information) THE ZONING CODE is a set of regulations and performance standards aimed at guiding the orderly development and use of land within Orono consistent with the goals of our Comprehensive Plan, The attempt is made to balance existing land use against ideal situations. The code is the law. A VARIANCE is the procedure established to modify the strict enforcement of the letter of the law, A variance may be Issued by the City Council upon finding that a iinlque situation exists, that strict enforcement would cause an undue hardship, and that the end result would be within the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. A HARDSHIP MUST BE DEMONSTRATED BY THE APPLICANT The hardship must be unique to the land in question, or to a small area, it cannot be a common situation. The hardship must run to the land. Examples are steep slopes, lakes or wetlands, large trees, existing structure locations, and unusually shaped or sized properties without adjacent vacant land. A VARIANCE CANNOT BE ISSUED to satisfy the esthetic or economic desires of the applicant; to simplify design or construction; to affect any building code requirement; to permit any land use not allowed within that zoning district; when the requested use can be located somewhere on the property without a variance; or if the result will in any way affect the public health, safety or general welfare. PROCEDURES require filing a complete application with the Zoning Administrator at least ten (10) days prior to a scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Neighbors are notified and invited to attend the meeting to make relevant coninents. The Planning Commission reviews your request, establishes facts, and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The Council will then review the recommendation and approve or deny the application. SCHEDULE The Planning Commission meets twice a month. The Council hears