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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />MINUTES FOR MAY 18,1998 <br />(#11) #2369 - JOE AND MARY FIEDLER, 365 WEST LAKE STREET - VARIANCES - 9:16- <br />9:41 P.M. <br />The Certificate of Mailing and Affidavit of Publication were noted. <br />Applicant was present. <br />Gaffron said the applicant's request is for lot area, lot width, side, rear and side street setbacks and <br />hardcover, for replacement of the existing residence. The applicant is also removing existing shed <br />and replacing it with a detached garage. Gaffron noted various issues considering replacing the <br />existing house, noting that the lot is too narrow for any new construction to meet setbacks without <br />the need for variances. <br />Staff is recommending approval of lot area and width variance, as well as the side and street setbacks <br />for construction of a new house and garage. Gaffron noted the side street setback could be increased <br />by reducing the house width. He noted that staff will not recommend a variance for a lot coverage, <br />which would require reducing the footprint size of the house or the garage. Staff also recommends <br />that a drainage and grading plan be provided. <br />Gaffron also noted a letter was received from Robert Erickson, 847 Tonkawa, the neighbor to the <br />east, suggesting there is insufficient hardship to approve the required variances. <br />The applicant had no further comments. <br />Robert Erickson commented that the City sets ten criteria for undue hardship to establish the need <br />for a variance. His conclusion is this proposal fails to meet nine of the ten criteria. He requests that <br />the variances be denied and that he would like to meet with Fiedler to discuss other possibilities for <br />the site. <br />Lindquist noted the applicant is attempting to put too much house on this small lot. Smith and <br />McMillan agreed. McMillan noted if the size of the house is reduced, it may reduce the number of <br />variances. Gaffron noted that Orono considers this as an existing buildable lot because it has been <br />provided with sewer. Stoddard agreed that it is a buildable lot but redevelopment is difficult. After <br />additional discussion about possible revisions to the proposal. Smith moved, Hawn seconded, to <br />table the application. Vote; Ayes 5, Nays 0.