10-09-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 25, 2023 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 13 neighbor indicating support of the revised plans. The proposed addition is four feet from the side property line matching the existing setback of the current deck. The previous plan had a proposed setback of 8.2 feet from the side property line. The revised plans decrease the overall height of the addition and have pulled the massing away from the lake. The revised plans have also further reduced hardcover by 86 square feet. The amended plans require variances from the average lakeshore setback, 75-foot setback, hardcover, hardcover within the 75-foot setback and side yard setback, however the overall impact of the addition from the lake has improved. Staff is supportive of the revised proposal due to the reduction in massing with the proposed one-story addition and the revised footprint of the addition as it is consistent with the existing deck and has overall less impact to the lake than the original proposal. Staff recommends approval of the amended plans because they have removed the lakeside deck and maintained the hardcover footprint and there are practical difficulties with the size of the lot. Andrew Iverson, the applicant, thanked Council members for doing a site visit and said they had tried to work within the recommendations and pulled back from some of the big dreams they had. The proposed addition covers the existing deck which is 50 years old. Johnson said he was concerned about the increase of structure in the setback. Walsh stated there was practical difficulty because of the size of the lot. It would not be possible to allow the height originally proposed, he added. Veach moved, Johnson seconded, to adopt LA22-000064, 4448 North Shore Drive, Variances, Resolution No. 7403. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. City Planner Oakden said coming to the end of summer the City is busy with permits and getting projects done. They are working on six proposals and legal notices and have been doing trainings in the department. RECESS & RECONVENE Mayor Walsh recessed the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 7:25 p.m. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT 16. REDUCE DEBT LEVY REQUIREMENT SERIES 2014A – RESOLUTION NO. 7405 Finance Director Olson said this action is a precursor to adopting the tax levy. According to law, the City has to budget 105 percent of requirements for debt levy. At the end of a debt fund’s life there is always money left over and the City can transfer the overage to the facilities fund levy. Benson said she understands the City typically waits until a debt is retired before moving any overages. This debt fund, she said, still has four or five years before it is paid off and she questions taking money from a fund where there is still debt to support the Fire Department. It would seem, she said, that the Fire Department cannot be funded without making these kinds of financial moves that have not been normal practice for the City. This transfer would not be necessary if not for standing up that department. She said she did not feel it is fiscally responsible to take money from a debt that still needs to be paid.