01-26-1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r fv > a. b. c. d. e. f. g- The relationship between applicant's property and the orientation of Truffula Trail is unique to applicant's property, because headlights from traffic exiting Truffula Trail aim directly at applicant's residence, and his rear yard is relatively open and not vegetated at this time. The City has maintained a character of open spaces, not hemmed in by privacy fences, along collector roads. Very few 6-foot fences along road frontages can be found within the rural area. A 6' fence at the intended location alters the essential character of the locality, is not in keeping with the normal practice within Orono's rural area, and is not appropriate on a permanent basis. The peculiarities of this property which contrast it with other properties, is that it lines up directly across from a road access where the elevations of the property and said road access result in headlights shining directly at the applicant's residence. Only a limited number of properties in the RR-IB Zoning District are similarly situated so as to be affected by headlights from traffic exiting a nearby road. The applicant has demonstrated specific scr»*ening needs which would preserve his enjoyment of his propert>', and Planning Commission agrees that such screening needs are legitimate but cannot be immediately met by a vegetative screen which will take a period of time to establish. While the variance wilt serve as a convenience to the applicant, applicant has demonstrated hardships and difficulties which suggest that until a vegetative barrier is established, headlights will continue to be a problem. The granting of a limited-term variance allowing tw'o growing seasons for establishment of a suitable vegetative barrier, will accomplish the property owner's screening goals while having only a short-term visual impact on Page 2 of 6 M