07-10-2023 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 10,2023 6:00 o'clock p.m. Johnson said he pulled this off the consent agenda to bring some visibility to the item. The applicant was looking to put in a boulder wall in lieu of a timber wall and that requires a variance,he said.The City is working on a change in the ordinance so in the future such applications could be approved by staff instead of having to get a variance.He said he supports this change that is in process and wanted to call attention to it. Johnson moved,Crosby seconded,to adopt Resolution Number 7381.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. PRESENTATION 12. TOUR DE TONKA Tim Litfin Provided a presentation on the Tour De Tonka,giving an historic overview,sponsors, and groups supported by the Tour. He said Orono has been involved for 18 years.Litfin showed this year's map and shirt.New this year is a medallion hunt with six hidden around the community.More volunteers are still needed. It takes more than 100 volunteers to put on the event,which is set for Aug. 5 this year. 13. REPRESENTATIVE ANDREW MEYERS ANNUAL UPDATE Rep.Andrew Meyers reported on this legislative session that ended in May. He said Orono would receive $370,000 in public safety money and in 2024, some transportation aid although that amount has not been determined.A bonding bill was finally passed this year,Meyers said. Other things that will affect cities will be paid family leave,legal cannabis, and a new requirement for a Climate Action Plan.He said he would be appearing at community events this summer. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT 14. LA22-000064 LEBRISIA IVERSEN,4448 NORTH SHORE DRIVE,VARIANCES City Planner Nye gave a presentation on the variance request explaining the applicant is seeking variances for a house addition on the north side of the home. The property is a substandard lot. There is an existing one-story home that's non-conforming and does not meet the required setbacks and is over on hardcover. The 75-foot setback and average Lakeshore setback line currently run through the existing home and the proposed addition would be completely in front of that those lines but would not encroach any further toward the lake than the existing 35 feet. The proposed addition is two stories with a rooftop terrace above the second story or approximately 12 feet taller than the existing home. They are proposing a new deck that will be closer to the lake and will also be new hardcover within the 75-foot setback. The proposed project would reduce the hardcover but it will not achieve compliance with the 25 percent maximum.Nye said City Staff does agrees that there are practical difficulties present and can possibly support the construction of an addition,but she said the proposed plan creates a new vertical encroachment in the average Lakeshore setback and 75-foot setback and greatly increases the existing nonconformity.The Planning Commission reviewed this proposal at the June 20 meeting and was split, recommending approval by a vote of three to two. The Planning Commission was concerned with overall height and the expansion of the nonconformity,Nye said,but also noted that neighbors were in support of the project and that the addition did not impact the lake views of the neighboring properties. Page 2 of 8