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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> January 17,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Libby said the complication is that there is some precedent by the fact that the house had been used as a <br /> dwelling,so that does set somewhat of a standard. On the other hand,the lot is short a quarter acre to <br /> conform to the new ordinance. I don't see a remedy for that.He asked if there are other lots in close <br /> proximity that would give guidance on the situation. <br /> Curtis said prior to the ADU regulation being adopted the code requirement for a guesthouse use was the <br /> property had to meet twice the minimum acreage of the district. On Casco the minimum requirement is <br /> half an acre. So, anywhere on Casco where there was a property with one acre,they would have been <br /> eligible to have a guest house.Although we do have smaller lots throughout the city,a non-conforming <br /> lot won't meet that ADU standard. <br /> Libby said in the reordering of our comprehensive plan,because the City was seeing more frequency of <br /> accessory dwelling units,there had to be some changes made that made more sense. I have a difficult time <br /> supporting this because it still has a few too many elements of not being conforming. We're not here to <br /> redesign or replat. I just still have difficulty supporting this. <br /> Ressler said he thinks the staff has done a good job in laying out the issues.He said he would not support <br /> a variance for an ADU that doesn't conform to the new ordinance. But he said there is a second paragraph <br /> which may offer a solution and that is the Oares are permitted to maintain the Swenson house as an <br /> accessory building with full plumbing facilities. So as the building is currently a fully appointed home, <br /> perhaps that does point the way to some sort of pathway. I certainly do appreciate the fact that this was <br /> some time ago,this was three different owners, and now it's just two different owners, and that's certainly <br /> a step in the right direction.And so if there's something that can be done,to get them to the next step,that <br /> would be fine with me. <br /> Erickson said he is conflicted on this because he's all for cleaning up weird things on the lakeshore. The <br /> hard part is the application is for is there an accessory dwelling unit and that clearly does not meet what is <br /> needed to grant that. Even if we combined the Swenson and Oare lots together,we don't quite get to one <br /> acre.I can understand staffs recommendations,because it doesn't meet the requirements that have just <br /> been revisited and revised. <br /> McCutcheon said the hard part of the job is we have to draw a line.And when we have a line,we've got <br /> to stick the line in this one,I think,with this ordinance, since it's new.Maybe in a year's time our opinion <br /> changes as the public gives us their feedback. But since this is the first one out of the gate,I think we're <br /> going to have a hard line here. <br /> Ressler moved,Libby seconded,to deny LA22-000065 as applied. VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. <br /> 2. LA22-000066 STEVE ISCHE, 3365 CRYSTAL BAY ROAD, REQUESTS <br /> VARIANCES FOR AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK, HARDCOVER AND <br /> THE 75-FOOT LAKE SETBACK FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DECK. <br /> City Planner Nye gave a presentation on the item, stating the applicant is proposing to construct a new <br /> deck and stairs on the property which will replace the current deck awning and stairs that are in disrepair. <br /> Page 3 of 13 <br />