06-12-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I, Nancy Anderson, am writing on behalf of my mother, Elaine Erickson. My parents have been residents of Orono for over 35 years. In 1979, in anticipation of my father s retirement, they purchased a small old home (1270 Spruce Place) next door to me. Their plan was to rent it until the day came when they felt they could not handle the upkeep of their big home and then to build a new, easy to maintain, home on this property. They began the process of building in early 1998 by contacting a builder who had just finished building a "retirement" home on Spruce Place. Their directive was to design a small home with all needs for an older couple on one floor with an additional bedroom and family space in the lower, walkout, level. When the plan was finished they approached Orono and began the process of securing the permission to build. There were many problems with the lot and the plan....size, elevation, set backs. They, with the help of their builder, redid plans and surveys and consulted several times with Orono employees. t By the fall of 1998 they had committed to full speed ahead to build in the summer of 1999. My Dad died, unexpectedly, in the Spring of 1999. The new, small house is an absolute necessity now. From the first meetings with various Orono employees, we have made it our goal to comply with the rules and regulations as best we can. There are several overriding problems with the lot that make this application for the altering of the land a necessity. The first and foremost problem Is the unnatural contour of the lakeside as it compares to the neighboring properties. A second issue is one of drainage and placement of the house in relation to the street. We are requesting the removal of the “bulge" (dirt) in the topography and removal of one tree on the lake side. This will bring the lot in flow with the lots on the north and south and will allow the house to walk out on the northeast corner. It will allow the lower level to have a family space and a bedroom. This change will also allow the level of the garage to stay at an acceptable level to the street for drainage reasons. The final consideration is that this seems to really be the pn|y solution to providing for acceptable drainage for the neighboring properties. Please be advised that there is no question about replacing trees and planting lots of bushes and shrubs. My mother is a hardy gardener and a nature lover (other than geese!). We have already discussed, at length, what pines spruce etc can be planted to recreate a “woodsy" feel to the lot. We have had discussions with all of our neighbors and without an exception they are supportive of our plans. We are including the signatures of the near north and south neighbors who have reviewed our plans. “A V' V We are including photos for your information. I* ■S iz 80 S,r U-CS2.h PI.