09-14-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 14, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 11. #15-3772 ROBERT MILLER, 60 SMITH AVENUE, VARIANCES — RESOLULTION NO. 6539 (continued) Miller stated this is not a large house and it will not be looming or encroaching any further than where it is right now. Miller indicated they also attempted to limit the impact to the side and angled the roof in to minimize the looming nature of the home. Miller stated they would be happy to replace any screening that gets damaged with like screening but that they do not feel the design or scale of the house is out of character with the neighborhood since there are currently homes that range from a few thousand square feet up to 6,000 square feet. McMillan asked if the height of the ceilings will be raised on the first story. Miller stated the main floor currently has 8 -foot ceilings and that they are raising them to nine feet. McMillan asked if they will be tearing it down to the foundation. Miller stated they will be using the existing foundation. Lon Oberpriller, Replacement Housing Services, stated they are the builder on the project. The intent of the project is to keep as much of the first floor as possible, including the basement. The basement is not fully excavated. Oberpriller stated he went through and checked all the tax records and pulled the square footages of the homes in the neighborhood. A report has been put together to respond to the Bonnett's concerns that were expressed during the Planning Commission meeting. As far as the overall construction of the home, the existing residence is a traditional colonial design and there are a couple similar homes on Lyman. Oberpriller stated this home is not out of precedent or character for the neighborhood in any way, shape or form. The intent is not to over scale anything and the total footprint of the structure is less than 2,900 square feet, including the basement. Oberpriller stated in his view this is not excessive and will consist of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Oberpriller stated they have also been very careful to preserve the actual side setback of 17 feet and have pulled the garage forward. The garage will still be ten feet off the property line. The neighbor next door is at 13 feet and Mr. Bonnet's garage is 11 feet. Oberpriller noted they are totally consistent with the side yard setbacks and that they have tried not to encroach any further. Oberpriller stated his client would like an attached garage with a mudroom, which is common with this type of investment. McMillan stated the attached garage does not appear to be an issue from what she is hearing from the neighbors. McMillan noted she lives on Lyman Avenue and most of Lyman is newer 2 -acre lots. McMillan stated this is an old section of Orono and that this house was probably originally built in the 1950s. McMillan stated city sewer was installed in this area in the early 2000s since a number of the lots did not have room for anew septic. McMillan stated the question for the City Council is what the proper setbacks should be and that the main concern of the neighbors was the second story. Page 27 of 39