09-16-2002 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 of 2 suit, did the City of Orono respond by installing a small storm water system at the base of Tonkawa and Wildhurst Trail. This has prevented further damage to our homes, but the burden of the added run-ofT is still borne by our lakefront yards. Both lawns are being washed away and water stands after every heavy rainfall. It is unfair to have turned our beautiful sweeping lawns into retention ponds for overbuih lots. And when the additional development across the street creates problems, will we again be forced to hire hydrologists, attorneys and then again pay for expensive repairs? In addition to the runoff issues, the neighboring lakeshore property owners fear that forcing two dock systems into minimal coved lakeshore will create dangers to boaters and swimmers using the adjoining properties. We see the overdevelopment of this parcel as a renewed threat and ask that the City of Orono deny this request. Reference: ff02-2823 3460 North Shoiv Drive and 802-2825 4496 North Shore Drive Regarding the request #02-2823 we ask that you deny any request that increase hardcover beyond the 25% permitted in the 75-250 ft range. What possible hardship exists that justifies such a variance? Current lake levels are already overflowing into yards and basements of existing properties and this demonstrates that the lake simply caiuiot handle the current runoff. Allowing' hardcover variances will further increase runoff and negatively impact the surrounding properties. Regarding #02-2825, again, it seems that someone is overbuilding a non-conforming lot. Docs being denied a lakeside porch or deck or a three car garage create a hardship? Encroaching into side setbacks and the average lakeshore set backs create hardships for adjacent properties. Also, this property is located above us and a rearrangement of the hardcover may cause even more of the runoff from this hardcover to flow down to lawns and basements. We believe this should also be denied and the owners sent back to either design a smaller home or include an onsite water retention system. Fiimlly, in recent history, another Orono resident, seeking to subdivide a 1.5 acre parcel with 400 r feet of lakeshore, was told by City staff that Orono would never grant the lot area variance to approve the two .75 acre lots each with 200 ft of shoreline. Subsequently, they sold their property as a single site. Another Orono resident, non lakeshore, was told the same thing regarding a sewered property on Brown Rd. I believe that if other residents have been told not to even apply, that the Planning Commission and Staff need to be consistent and deny all lot area variance requests. For if you grant these, you continue to set precedents that will lead to the deterioration of the character and integrity of this city and our fragile lake. Sincerely, 4510 North Shore Dri^>/^^ , / Kathy Z. Peter Sawicki 4500 North Shore Drive