01-08-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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M S 6c R Architects Meyer, Scherer CS: Rockc.istle. l td. ; IS Second .\venue North .Mmne.ipolis, .Minnesma SS401 28 September 1989 Jeanne Mabusth City of Orono Building and Zoning Administration 13 3 5 South Brov;n Read Orono, Minnesota 55391 Re: Pillsbury Residence - #8830 Dear Jeanne and Members of the Planning Commission This letter is written in support of George and Sally Pillsbury's request for a conditional use permit and variance to add on a plant room to the south side of their existing house. The original house, built in 1949, is itself in violation of the 75' setback and therefore also the zero percent allowable hardcover percentage area within 75 feet of the 929.4 foot defined lake elevation shoreline; certain portions of it lie within about 55 feet of shoreline. Although we acknowledge that additions cannot be grandfathered in under pre-existing conditions, the location of the existing structure severely limits building options. The plant room addition has to be on the south side of the house to get the bright indirect light necessary for their collection of orchids and other plants. Furthermore, it is highly undesirable to have to direct guests, who wish to see Sally's flower collection, through private areas of the existing master bedroom. The only neighbor within direct view of the greenhouse would be Eleanor Pillsbury, whose closest living area would be 280 feet from the proposed addition. Few users of the lake would be much aware of the addition, because the 25 foot embankment would obscure close-up views and because the proposed addition has so much glass as to be largely transparent from a distance. The structure which looks somewhat like an arbor will be painted white to blend in with the existing house and with the mature white birch trees among which it is to be located. II t