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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, May 15, 2000 <br />( <br />(#2581 John Gehring, Continued) <br />Staff has indicated to the Applicant that an average lakeshore setback variance is not required; <br />however the location of the proposed residence does not meet DNR minimum recommended <br />standards for General Development Lakes of 50 feet. <br />Gehring stated there are five other properties with approximately the same setback from the lake, <br />and that their request is basically to make their residence stay at the same basic setback. Gehring <br />indicated he has spoken with his neighbors regarding this project, who have not expressed any <br />concerns. <br />Smith noted a letter has not been received from the DNR regarding this application. Smith inquired <br />whether the DNR has been informed of this application. <br />Bottenberg stated the DNR has been informed of this project and has not expressed any concerns. <br />Gehring stated at the time they constructed their garage in 1995, they did work with City Staff and <br />attempted to put together a comprehensive plan on this property. Gehring commented they were <br />told that their plans for what they were proposing in the future were somewhat irrelevant because <br />they were not in a position to approve everything at that time. <br />Gehring noted they have taken steps in the past to keep hardcover to a minimum, such as reducing <br />the width of the driveway and a smaller width sidewalk, both of which are below standards. <br />Smith inquired at what setback the Applicant is proposing to build his residence. <br />Gehring stated they are proposing to build 42 feet from the lake, which is the average of the two <br />adjoining properties. Gehring stated the property to the south has a ten foot deck plus three foot <br />stairs at the rear of the residence, which reduces the setback to the lake. <br />Tom Palm, 1685 Concordia Street, stated the corner of the house as it exists now is located 1.6 feet <br />from the property line, noting he would be very much in favor of squaring up the house and widening <br />the access to the lake. Palm commented his property was constructed 39 feet from the lake, <br />with a ten foot deck. Palm stated by allowing the Applicant to construct at 42 feet from the lake, <br />it would bring the residence into alignment with the other adjoining properties and improve the <br />drainage in the area. Palm indicated he is in support of this project. <br />Neil Trainor, 1675 Concordia Street, indicated he recently purchased this property from his parents <br />who lived in the residence for quite some time. Trainor stated a majority of the problem with the <br />setback has resulted from the lakeshore eroding over the years, noting that approximately ten feet <br />of lakeshore has eroded away over the years. Trainor stated the location for the proposed residence <br />is good due to the alignment with the other adjoining properties. <br />Smith inquired why the Planning Commission did not require Palm to meet the 50 foot setback at <br />the time he constructed his residence in 1995. <br />Palm stated no one was in favor of a two story building, which would block the neighbors' view at <br />the 75 foot setback, so the Planning Commission elected to allow the house to be built at 39 feet <br />to make it more in alignment with the other homes in the area. <br />Stoddard commented he has concerns with the amount of hardcover proposed in the 0-75 foot <br />setback as well as the amount of hardcover in the 75-250 foot setback. Stoddard stated the <br />Page 12