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TO: Mayor Callahan and Orono Council Members <br />Ron Moorse, City Administrator <br />FROM: Jeanne A. Mabusth, Building & Zoning Administrator <br />DATE: June 8, 1993 <br />SUBJECT: #1824 Eric and Shelly Liljequist, 3490 Birch Lane -Variance -Resolution <br />Additional Exhibits <br />I -Gustafson Report 5/17 /93 <br />J -1-3 Options for Consideration <br />K -Gustafson Report 6/4/93 <br />Brief Review of Application <br />Applicants propose the removal of an existing single stall garage and replacement with <br />a two stall 24'x24' detached garage. Staff noted in a recent inspection with the City Engineer <br />that applicants had already obtained a demolition permit and removed the former garage. The <br />former garage was located 20' from the street lot line. The proposed garage shall be located <br />15' and 10' from the side lot line where the former structure was 1 '2". <br />Applicants note that the garage with doors facing onto the street could not meet the 30' <br />setback without requiring the removal of several mature trees. The 10' separation could not be <br />maintained from the principal structure and the proposal would result in excessive hardcover. <br />If the garage was to be placed with doors facing away from the street lot line a mature maple <br />tree would be lost and once again excessive hardcover would result. <br />The major concern for the review was how to achieve safe access onto the adjacent public <br />roadways as property is located at a intersection of three roadways. Birch Lane has a 20' wide <br />right-of-way but measures no more than 14" in width. Applicants' lot is across the street from <br />two homes who park vehicles or boats right at the edge of the roadway providing limited space <br />to maneuver out onto the road. Applicants' original proposal, Exhibit H, proved to be the most <br />efficient access alternative for the site. After a site inspection the City Engineer, review Exhibit <br />K, concurred that three options presented in his report proved to be less functional than the <br />garage and driveway layout presented by applicants. <br />The Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval of the variance application <br />for a street setback variance of 15' for a proposed 24'x24' detached garage and adopted the <br />applicants' hardship statement and added the following: <br />1. Existing pattern of development along the severely restricted roadway presents <br />unique access problems for placement of garage and driveway. <br />2. Proposal results in a reduction of hardcover within the 75-250' setback area.