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Bunding Height <br />February 14.2001 <br />Page? <br />9. Page 3C-21. Urban Housing Policy 7 slates; "The City will promote development or <br />rehabilitation that is compatible with the existing neighborhood. The City will <br />encourage all homeowners and developers to be conscious of the neighborhood, the <br />site and the environment in the design and improvement of residential properties. <br />The City will encourage, and in many cases, require the retention of woods and <br />vegetation, open spaces, light, air and scenic views. No new development will be <br />permitted to conflict with or to adversely aflect the established neighborhood <br />character." <br />IV. Consumer Tastes and l>emands Related to Height <br />The typical rural residence constructed in Orono in 1980 was a one-story ’ ranch style home <br />with roof pitch of 4/12 or 5/12. or a 2-story New England saltbox w ith perhaps 6/12 or 8/12 <br />rx>of pitch. On lakcshore lots, 2-stoiy homes were more common, partially due to the need <br />to gain floor space while minimizing the footprint, and to have more rooms w ith lake view s. <br />TwxHStall garages were the norm. <br />Today, tlic typical rural home is significantly larger in finished fliHir area, invariably has two <br />stories rather than one. has higher ceilings, commonly includes a great room, and has n>of <br />pitch of 8/12 to 12/12 or even steeper. Lakcshore homes have followed a similar pattern, and <br />commonly display a walkout facade exceeding 40* feet in height from ground level to the <br />peak. Both lakcshore and non-lakeshore homes today almost always include a 3-stall or <br />larger garage. <br />Inherent in the height equation for lakcshore homes is the balance beUvwn high land value <br />and the land use restrictions tlial limit house footprints. A 50’-100’ wide $250,000 lakcshore <br />lot w ill typically ha\ c a $500,000 house built on it; such a house will undoubtedly be multi­ <br />level. not only to take advantage of lake views from as many rooms os possible, but to <br />maximize square fiH>iagc within a limited allowable footprint The tendency toward 3-stall <br />garages on the main floor also forces more of the living space to be on upper levels. <br />In the past, many homeowners planned their custom "dream homes" with long-tcnn <br />practicality in mind; for instance, maximizing amenities on the main level so as to avoid <br />climbing stairs whci* became aged. B> contiast. Orono's relatively affluent <br />residents today are significantly more mobile, and at the point they can no longer climb stairs <br />or mow the lawn, they will probably either sell the home or modify it to meet their needs <br />(adding elevators or lifts) and hire outside assistance for maintenance chores.