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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />April 17, 2023 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Kraemer said it looks like a good addition to the property and getting hardcover lowered overall is good. <br />Kirchner moved, Libby seconded, to approve LA23-000008 1340 Vine Place, variances. VOTE: <br />Ayes: 6, Nays 0. <br />3. LA23-000014 SUSANNE & MATTHEW JOHNSON, 1007 WILDHURST TRAIL, <br />VARIANCE <br />City Planner Curtis said the purpose of the application is to consider an average lakeshore setback <br />variance on the newly oriented lot at 1007 Wildhurst Trail. The existing home at 1003 Wildhurst would <br />remain and is not part of this application. The applicant is in the process of designing a new home for the <br />1007 lot. The homes on 1003 Wildhurst and 4455 West Branch Road create an average Lakeshore <br />setback line bisecting the center of the subject lot. The applicant is requesting an average lakeshore <br />setback variance to allow construction up to the 75 -foot setback. Approval would be subject to the County <br />approving the pending lot line changes. The applicants have identified the unique lake channel orientation <br />for both the new lot and the adjacent lakeshore property on West Branch Road to the north as creating <br />difficulties. Applicants are in attendance. Staff agrees with the applicants that the unique orientation of <br />the properties along the lakeshore channels create an extreme average lakeshore setback across the subject <br />property which is restricting development near the lake. Staff recommends the planning commission <br />discuss whether the proposal fits within the character of neighborhood, whether practical difficulties exist, <br />and whether or not there is any lake view impact to consider. Staff recommends approval. <br />Bollis clarified that the proposal would meet the 75 -foot setback but it's the average setback for which the <br />variance is being requested. <br />Matt Johnson, 1003 Wildhurst Trail, said there are currently three PIDs on this property. There is a large, <br />undeveloped chunk of land purchased when there was talk of putting seven or eight houses in there and <br />neighbors wanted to keep density lower. So in an effort to reduce the density of this area, his proposal <br />was to bring it down to two lots. And then in doing so, the average lakeshore setback gets connected from <br />the property to the north, and then connects to the property at 1003 Wildhurst Trail that he also owns. <br />Average lakeshore setback was intended to preserve the lake views between neighbors and lake. <br />Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. <br />There were no public comments. <br />Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:30 p.m. <br />Kirchner said it reminded him of another case a few months ago. In reality, we are looking at a two -lot <br />application here, not a three -lot. <br />McCutcheon said if it was three we wouldn't be talking about this. One house is extremely on the west <br />side but since they are combining, it's a lakeshore lot. Where the house is located now it makes a lot of <br />sense. As you look at the neighborhood to the south they are all about that distance from the lake, so I <br />think it fits the character of the neighborhood. <br />Bollis said it goes back to the intent of the ordinance. I don't think it creates an issue with sight lines. <br />Page 3 of 12 <br />