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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />October 16, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 4 of 11 <br /> <br />Nye said the City has been strict about the 10-foot rear setback but because of the shallowness of the lots <br />there has been wiggle room on the 75-foot setback. <br /> <br />A representative of Lucid Builders, the applicant, showed photos of the existing neighborhood and a slide <br />with the ages of the homes from the early 1900s to 2019 and showing the hardcover in the neighborhood, <br />as well as a photo of the shoreline with the existing home and an artist’s rendition with the proposed <br />home. He said the request is similar to other properties and in harmony with the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Libby said the roof is about 10 feet higher than would be normal but due to a rise in grade at the back. <br /> <br />Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:49 p.m. <br /> <br />Brandon Bolduc, 3365 Crystal Bay Road, said he is in one of the oldest original houses on the road. He <br />said there are several tall houses on the road but this would be the first one that would protrude out and <br />impede the view of the lake. <br /> <br />Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. <br /> <br />Schultze asked how the new house could impede the neighbor’s view of the lake. <br /> <br />Nye said the average lakeshore line preserves that but there is more mass in the proposed house at the <br />front and could impede some views from the side. The neighbor would still have the same view out of the <br />front of their house. <br /> <br />Ressler said he supports the staff recommendations for provisions like gutters and pavers. These lots are <br />tight and building up is naturally going to happen. This application does not need a variance for exceeding <br />height. He said he recognizes there could be a change in how the view is appreciated by the neighbors but <br />it doesn’t seem to change the spirit of what is going on in that neighborhood. <br /> <br />Bollis pointed out the hardcover is higher but less than the average on that street. He said he agrees with <br />Ressler and also the safety of having room to turn cars around and go out onto Crystal Bay Rd. <br /> <br />McCutcheon also said the height jumped out at him but it appears to be in character with the <br />neighborhood. He said it is the toughest area for zoning in the whole City of Orono because of the small <br />size of the lots. <br /> <br />Commissioners said they would rather move the house back and not preserve the 10-foot rear setback and <br />have the mass of the house further from the lake and the view of neighbors. <br /> <br />Ressler moved, Libby seconded, to recommend approval of LA23-000050, 3359 Crystal Bay Rd, <br />Variances as applied with staff recommendations. VOTE: Ayes: 6, Nays 0. <br /> <br />3. LA23-000051 KEPLINGER & KERANEN BUILDERS, INC., 2795 SHADYWOOD <br />ROAD, REQUESTS LOT AREA, LOT WIDTH, HARDCOVER, REAR YARD <br />SETBACK, LAKE SETBACK (LAKE AND CHANNEL), BUILDING ON FILL <br />AND NOT MEETING A 15 FOOT FILL BENCH REQUIRMENTS WITHIN THE <br />SHORELAND DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT A NEW HOUSE