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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 commission has discussed this a couple times before and asked if there was something <br /> new, added or different from when this was discussed before. <br /> Curtis said the previous application was a subdivision request to create an additional lot. That is no longer <br /> the proposal. <br /> Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. There were no public comments. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. <br /> Ressler said he remembers the previous request that would have created three lots. This is just re-drawing <br /> lot lines to make them two buildable and usable lots. For that reason, I'd be supportive as staff <br /> recommends. <br /> Erickson said he likes this solution. The new arrangement is clean and rectangular,not a gerrymandered <br /> thing. And also,they're a little more balanced in size than the existing. It respects the character of the <br /> neighborhood. I'm very favorably impressed with this application. <br /> Libby pointed out that the city doesn't typically support new lots that are non-conforming. <br /> Ressler agreed with that but said we're not creating a new lot,we are doing a lot line rearrangement of <br /> two lots and making two lots. You're generally going to be creating two of the largest lots in that <br /> neighborhood where few of the lots are two acres so it meets the merits of what is proposed here. <br /> If it was a subdivision,I'd be opposed. If it was trying to create another lot that I would be opposed.But <br /> we're not doing a split here.It's a lot line rearrangements. So for that reason,I'm in support. <br /> Ressler confiuliied the second vacant lot would be buildable. <br /> Libby suggested asking the applicant to comment on their future intent and what their plans might be. <br /> Hillier said they own the 1224 house and tore it down and built a new one in 2015. In 2018 they had the <br /> opportunity to buy the other lot next door. We don't know what we're going to do in the future yet. When <br /> we built the house in 2015 because of the structural coverage and hardcover we actually had to scale the <br /> house back from what we wanted to do. We wanted to have a first floor master. We want to have some <br /> other things like a patio on the south side of the property off the dining room. The planning group said no, <br /> so we shrunk it down, stacked it up put everything upstairs to meet the requirements. We're kind of <br /> restricted with the lot being as small as it is. We want to put a patio on the south side off the dining room <br /> and hardcover wouldn't meet it. We want to have a shed in the backyard because right now we store our <br /> lawnmower and stuff outside covered with a tarp. <br /> Ressler moved,Libby seconded,to approve LA22-000071, 1224 Briar Street and 1245 Arbor Street <br /> Variances as applied.VOTE: Ayes: 4,Nays 0. <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> Page 7 of 13 <br />