07-21-2025 Planning Commission minutes

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Minutes Planning Commission Regular Meeting Monday, July 21, 2025, 6:00 PM City Council Chambers 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 5.2. LA25-000025, SOUTHVIEW DESIGN, 1530 ORCHARD BEACH PLACE, VARIANCES The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and deny the request for variances to construct an accessory cabana lakeward of the primary residence. The residents have permits for several other improvements, including a patio and pool, that do not impact the lakeshore setback. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Josh Koller, Southview Designs, and the homeowner, Brett Schraber, 1530 Orchard Beach Place. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. There were no public comments. A letter from a neighbor supporting the project was read into the record. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. Commissioners noted that no structures are allowed in the average lakeshore setback, but that a road easement on one side made a unique average lakeshore setback, and that the structure would not impact the view of any neighbor. If the easement were not there, the project would not require a variance. However, past practice has been to deny accessory stnlctures in the setback. Commissioners were not in favor of the variance to have the cabana and the primary structure less than 10 feet apart. Brandabur moved, Prchal seconded, to approve LA25-000025, 1530 Orchard Beach Place, Average Lakeshore Setback Variance with the condition that the cabana would adhere to the 10-foot separation from the principal structure and the side -yard setback. VOTE: Ayes: 4, Nays 0. 5.3. LA25-000026, GRIFFIN DOOLING, 1080 FERNDALE RD WEST, VARIANCES. The Planning Commission is requested to review the Staff report, receive a presentation, and discuss and approve variances to setbacks and hardcover to reconstnlct an existing deck with a different configuration. Since the lot has no buildable envelope, staff agreed that there is a practical difficulty, but they would recommend requiring hard cover reduction. The new deck is necessitated by stnictttral problems with the existing home. The Planning Commission discussed the item and asked questions of staff and the applicant, Griffin Dooling, 1080 Ferndale Rd. W. Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:53 p.m. There were no public comments. Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m. Commissioners agreed there was a practical difficulty, and they could understand the recommendation that the applicant should show where they can reduce hardcover before it goes to the City Council, although they could not see a lot of places to remove hardcover, and they did not find the request egregious. Page 2 of 4