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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />November 20, 2023 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. <br /> <br />There were no public comments. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. <br /> <br />Ressler said it sounded like a good plan. <br /> <br />Kraemer said any time you get that reduction in hardcover he is in support. <br /> <br />Libby moved, Kraemer seconded, to approve LA23-000060, 3600 Casco Ave. Variances as applied. <br />VOTE: Ayes: 5, Nays 0. <br /> <br />3. LA23-000061 OUTDOOR EXCAPES, 2601 CASCO POINT ROAD, REQUESTS A 75 <br />FOOT LAKE SETBACK VARIANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING <br />WALLS WITHIN THE LAKEYARD. <br />City Planner Nye explained the applicant is proposing to construct a new lake stair and two new retaining <br />walls within the lakeyard. The property is currently experiencing erosion on the hillside that is impacting <br />an existing lakeside shed and oak tree. The property has some boulders that are no longer preserving the <br />hillside. While new lake stairs are permitted within the lakeyard, a variance is required for any new <br />retaining walls within the 75-foot lake setback. The applicant has identified the erosion of the hillside and <br />protection of the existing shed and mature tree as practical difficulties supporting the requested variance. <br />Staff finds the existing conditions of the property and the preservation of the existing structure and tree as <br />practical difficulties which support the variance request. Staff recommends approval of the lake setback <br />variance for the construction of two new retaining walls as proposed with the condition that additional <br />screening of the walls where feasible be implemented to preserve the natural vegetated view from the <br />lake. <br /> <br />Drew Torrence of Outdoor Excapes spoke for the applicant explaining the proposal is trying to solve the <br />problem of erosion and would serve a functional purpose of holding up the hillside. He said what they are <br />proposing would also be a dramatic improvement from an aesthetic standpoint. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. <br /> <br />The owner of the home introduced himself but had no additional comments. <br /> <br />Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. <br /> <br />Ressler pointed out the staff described the improvements as minimal and staff doesn’t use that term <br />lightly. <br /> <br />Schultze moved, Libby seconded, to approve LA23-000061, 2601 Casco Point Rd. Variances as <br />applied. VOTE: Ayes: 5, Nays 0. <br /> <br />OTHER BUSINESS <br /> <br />Peak Agenda Management Introduction <br />7