07-17-2023 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION June 20, 2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Acting Chair Jon Ressler, Commissioners Dennis Libby, Jon Ressler, Bob Erickson, Gary Kraemer and Ted Schultze, alternate. Chair Chris Bollis and Commissioner Mark McCutcheon were absent. Representing Staff were Community Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and City Planner Natalie Nye. Acting Chair Ressler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. OATH OF OFFICE Community Development Director Oakden administered the Oath of Office to Ted Schultze, alternate planning commissioner, who was immediately seated. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Libby moved, Kraemer seconded, to approve the Agenda. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2023 Libby moved, Erickson seconded, to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of May 15, 2023. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. LA22-000064 LEBRISIA IVERSEN, 4448 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, REQUESTS VARIANCES FOR AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK, 75' LAKESHORE SETBACK, HARDCOVER TO EXCEED 25%, HARDCOVER WITHIN THE 75 -FOOT SETBACK AND SIDE YARD SETBACK. City Planner Nye gave a presentation on the item, stating the applicant is proposing a house addition on the north side of the home. The property is substandard in size at .46 acres when the LR 1B district requires a one -acre minimum and the lot is a unique shape, she said. The existing one-story home is non conforming and does not meet the required LR -1B setbacks or the required Lake setbacks. The 75 -foot Lakeshore setback and average Lakeshore setback lines run through the middle of the existing home. The expansion that is proposed is entirely in front of those setback lines. The property is also currently over the hardcover limitation of 25 percent at 27 percent. The plan improves hardcover slightly but not below 25 percent. The requested addition requires variances from the average Lakeshore setback, 75 -foot Lakeshore setback, hard cover to exceed 25 percent, hard cover within the 75 -foot setback and side -yard setback. The applicant is proposing a two-story addition with a rooftop terrace over the second story. Nye said staff agrees with the practical difficulties present and can support the construction of an addition, but recommends denial of the addition as proposed. Staff believes the proposed height creates a vertical encroachment and could impact neighboring lake views and that several doors exiting the addition are shown but not the entry landings or patios, so hardcover may actually be increased over what is proposed. The planning commission should discuss the application and consider if the variances requested are reasonable and in character for the neighborhood, she said, specifically the height and hardcover. The applicants and the general contractor were present. Page 1 of 8