Laserfiche WebLink
LUCID <br />B U I L D E R S <br />Land Use Application Narrative <br />Dear Commission and Council, <br />John McGary <br />Lucid Builders <br />612.207.8265 <br />We are asking for consideration in the hardcover, setbacks, and driveway width variances of the property <br />located at 3359 Crystal Bay Road, Orono. <br />1. Why is the variance request needed to relieve practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance <br />and how will the variance request result in a reasonable use of the property? The existing house on this lot <br />was built in 1930 and is currently non -conforming due to the small lot area and width. We are requesting the <br />following variances to build a family home to modern standards on this substandard 50-ft wide, 0.14 acre lot <br />(6,081 sq ft): <br />Hardcover Variance: Lot size is 6,417 sq ft (under the 21,780 sq ft minimum) and requires a hardcover <br />variance to be buildable. The home built in 1930 currently exceeds the city hardcover limit at 33.8%. <br />Setbacks: <br />- Rear: The property abuts to the regional trail and won't impact backyard neighbors. The current home and <br />adjacent homes are built into the rear yard setback due to the small lot sizes. We are increasing the setback <br />from its current condition to improve compliance and will remove a shed that was improperly placed outside <br />the rear propertyline, removing unnecessary hardcover. <br />- Front: The current home and adjacent homes are built into the front yard setback due to the small lot size. <br />Crystal Bay Road runs through the front yard of the property, adding to the challenge. We propose to maintain <br />the average setback of the neighboring properties as to impact them and sitelines the least. <br />- Side: The current home and adjacent homes are built into the side yard setbacks because the lot is roughly <br />50-ft wide (below the city's required minimum lot width). <br />- Lake: By guidance of city staff, we used an average of the neighboring properties from ordinary high water <br />level setbacks. Similar to adjecent property recent requests and resolutions. <br />Driveway Width: Meeting Orono's driveway guidelines, we proposed a 20 foot wide driveway (at the street) <br />within the 75-foot setback where an 8 foot minimum width is allowed and widening to a minimum width <br />serving the garage corresponding with the 22 foot wide garage door wall. <br />2. Compared to similarly sized lots in the neighborhood, what is unique about the size, shape, topography or <br />location of your lot that prohibits reasonable use of the property? All lots along the Crystal Bay Road <br />neighborhood are small, substandard lots that require multiple variancesto build and in most cases to <br />remodel. The existing lot size of 0.14 acre and 50-ft width necessitates a variance to make it buildable. <br />3. How is the requested variance the minimum necessary to provide your property reasonable use? <br />We seek to build a home to modern building standards. The lot size of 0.14 acre and 50-ft width necessitates a <br />variance to make it buildable. <br />4. What alternatives to a variance have been considered? Why are these alternatives not acceptable? The <br />September 1, 2023 Page 1 of 2 <br />