07-25-1988 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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To: Mayor Grabek & Orono Council Memberst`;) City Administrator Bernhardson From: Michael P. Gaffron, Asst Planning & Zoning Administrator Date: July 20, 1988 Subject: 11308 Robert Owens, 1700 Bohns Point Road - Variance - Resolution Application - Replace existing deck with similar deck of approximately same square footage. Variance required is for hardcover in 75-250' zone. Zoning District - LR-lB, single family, 1-acre, sewered List of Exhibits Exhibit A - Proposed Resolution Exhibit B - Planning Commission Action Notice of 7/20/88 Exhibit C - Applicant's Letter of 7/15/88 & Photographs Exhibit D - Memo & Exhibits of 7/15/88 Discussion Please review the memo and exhibits of July 15th, 1988. The applicant experienced storm damage during the 1987 super -storm and during repair of the damage, had to remove the stairs from his existing deck in order for equipment to pass. In removing that stairs, it was found that carpenter ants had infested the deck, and it ultimately had to be replaced. Applicant's landscaping contractor designed a replacement deck of slightly different shape but approximately the same square footage as the original deck, and constructed it without permits while the applicant was on vacation. Currently the deck has no stairway or railing. The property contains about 3% hardcover in the 0-75' zone and 36% in the 75-250' zone. The replacement deck results in a slight decrease (4 s.f.) of hardcover in the 75-250' zone. There is no additional variance necessary since that deck is about 90' from the shoreline and meets the required side setback. Planning Commission reviewed the item at their July 18th, 1988 meeting, and unanimously recommended approval, finding that the hardship in thi3 case is that the proposed deck is merely a replacement of the existing and that replacement was necessary due to a carpenter ant infestation. As staff noted in the July 15th memo, the majority of the landscaped areas underlain by plastic are necessary to protect the foundation, hence staff finds no easy way to reduce existing hardcover below 36%, and Planning Commission did not feel a reduction was necessary under these circumstances. Staff Recommendation - Staff recommends approval per the Planning Commission recommendation per the attached resolution.