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From:Aaron <br />To:Melanie Curtis; Christopher Bollis; Scott Kirchner; jonressler@outlook.com; Bob Erickson; Dennis Libby; Mark <br />McCutcheon; Gary Kraemer; tedmschultze@gmail.com <br />Cc:williamiananderson@gmail.com; Denny Walsh <br />Subject:1335 Briar St. Variance <br />Date:Saturday, September 14, 2024 8:41:21 PM <br />Hello Planning Commission and Orono City Staff: <br />Finally, a reasonable variance request for much needed garage and improvement of <br />front stoop. <br />My name is Aaron Printup and I am William's next door neighbor. I have lived right <br />next to this property and have known the 3 families that have lived there as my next <br />door neighbors. However, I also lived in Crystal Bay, about four houses up the street, <br />my entire life and have known of all the people who have lived at that property for <br />many years. <br />You already know how difficult it is to make any improvements in Crystal Bay. This <br />request is an example of how an Orono small lot can have SO much improvement <br />with very little to no impact to any neighbor. <br />I can remember when the Art Center was rebuilt. There were major water control <br />issues that affected the applicants property and my property (different owners then). <br />Those issues were fixed and the flooding that took place was mitigated a bit. Then, <br />around May 2014 we had A LOT of rain. Our backyards became like lakefront (I sent <br />pictures to Mike Gaffron). Later, just a few winters ago we had crazy warm weather <br />and rain but still had a lot of snow and frozen ground. Again, a lot of water in the <br />back yards with nowhere to go. During those times the homeowners and I worked <br />together and got water moving to the streets and away from the properties. <br />That is what we do, we help each other. Bottom line, I worry about water control. I <br />am Not worried about the garage affecting that. <br />I am so happy to see this garage and front stoop application. That property has <br />begged for those improvements since I can remember. Thankfully, we are down-hill <br />from the Art Center and any run-off that would happen from the garage would just <br />flow down the driveway away from the Swale and draintile the Art Center used to <br />mitigate their water. <br />These issues of run off have always been a concern of ours to the extent that when <br />Briar St. and Prospect Ave. were rebuilt I would repeat myself to Public Works to be <br />careful of what might be under the pavement to move water from the swales to the <br />culvert down the street. <br />Expanding the front stoop will be a great and safe improvement. Much better than <br />the sidewalk that used to go to Briar St. and the asphalt slab that was also off of Briar <br />St. running around the house many, many, many years ago. <br />The Amur Maples that line the property have matured nicely. The canopy they <br />provide is so thick that when it rains you can literally stand below and not get wet. It <br />should be noted that when I was studying "living walls" I discovered the State of <br />Minnesota has listed the Amur Maple as invasive. They are certainly resilient and the <br />garage won't affect the root system. <br />Thank you for all you do and I fully and completely support this application. <br />Sincerely, <br />Aaron Printup 2195 Prospect Ave <br />124