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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> January 17,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> received for this application. Staff is able to support the variance addressing utility connections as an <br /> existing condition to minimize disturbance to the property and the existing utility connections. Staff <br /> recommends denial of the lot area variance for ADU use. <br /> Ressler asked if that accessory dwelling was not part of the request,would staff be supportive of the <br /> application? <br /> Curtis said the staff supports the application to combine the lots but not the accessory use. <br /> McCutcheon pointed out the City just changed the ordinances to include performance standards;for <br /> ADUs and one of our criteria was the lot has to be at least one acre.He said since it's an existing house, <br /> the Planning Commission could probably get past the requirement that the main residence and the ADU <br /> share utilities. The big conundrum for us to discuss is are we okay with the not meeting the one acre? <br /> Tim Oare 2967 Casco Point Rd. The Swenson property had a 20-foot piece of Lakeshore.When we <br /> purchased our house,we had talked to the Swensons and Abbotts and Swensons happened to live in <br /> Florida.The Abbots share the driveway with the Swenson property.The guest house is almost touching <br /> our driveway.We thought it was a great opportunity to eliminate this lake shore piece. If you look it's a <br /> 20-foot piece of lakeshore.You really can't have a dock there.We just thought getting rid of all of this <br /> and combining it in the two yards instead of three was going to be an easy solution. The house is existing <br /> the way it is.Tearing it down doesn't make sense. We are eliminating a whole bunch of hardcover to try <br /> and do this.The stairs of the lake are going away. There's a sidewalk from the house to the garage. That's <br /> all going away. So we're getting rid of all this hard cover to get down to our right size hardcover, and we <br /> didn't realize this was going to be such a big deal to make the split. When they sold their house and we <br /> built our house,we redid all the sewer lines,all the water lines to both houses. So it's all fresh,updated <br /> sewer,water lines and to combine them again would be a big,big deal. So all we're asking for is to just <br /> use the house as a house.It's not like we're renting it out. We just want to keep it as a house for guest. <br /> Right now it's a three-bedroom,three-bath house.To convert it to just a party room or storage facility just <br /> doesn't seem to make sense either. <br /> McCutcheon asked for clarification on the use of the old Swenson house as a guest house or dwelling. <br /> Curtis explained that the lot would not meet the one-acre requirement for an ADU and that the new <br /> ordinance removed guest houses and replaced them with the ADU regulations. <br /> Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:12 p.m. There were no public comments. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:12 p.m. <br /> The Commissioners discussed the item. <br /> McCutcheon noted this was the first variance request under the new ordinance.It doesn't seem like he's <br /> asking a lot but it doesn't conform so that is what we are here to discuss. <br /> Page 2 of 13 <br />