Council information 7-25-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, July 18, 2005 6:00 o'clock p.m. 15. #05-3137 ROBERT AND VICTORIA JAFFRAY, 540 BARRETT AVENUE, VARIANCES, 10:12 P.M. —10:20 P.M. Robert Jaffray, Applicant, was present. Gundlach stated the applicant is requesting a front yard setback variance to perniit an attached garage addition and a covered entry addition. The applicant is requesting a front yard setback of 23 feet where 50 feet is normally required, 23 feet currently exists, and 25 feet was previously approved. Staff has discovered that the previously approved 1992 and 1999 variances required a 25-foot setback from Barrett Avenue and the survey submitted with this request shows the setback to be 23 feet from Barrett Avenue at the most northwestern point. Staff concludes that the previously approved variances did not take into consideration that the house does not sit square on the lot and is angled north-northwest. Staff finds that the placement of the existing house from the front lot line and topography calling for a tuck -under style garage creates a hardship to warrant approval of a front yard setback. Staff feels, however, that the applicant should be held to the 25-foot setback previously approved as the proposed plans can be shifted two feet to the east without changing the design. Jaffray stated the current garage is 19.3' deep, with a service door in one comer, which makes it difficult to park a vehicle in there. Jaffray stated he would like to bump the garage out an additional five feet to allow for a more functional garage. Rahn inquired whether the service door would be eliminated if the addition is moved two feet. Jaffray stated he could eliminate the door but design -wise it does not make much sense. There were no public comments regarding this application. Rahn stated he does not have any issues with the recommendation of Staff. Bremer inquired how the setback differs from what was originally approved. Jaffray stated the house is slightly off from being parallel to the road and that could have resulted in the house being constructed 23 feet from the road rather than 25 feet. Bremer moved, Kempf seconded, to recommend approval of Application #05-3137, Robert and Victoria Jaffray, granting of a front yard setback variance at 22.8' in order to construct a garage addition onto the existing home, including a screen porch above the easterly 20' by 15.5' of the addition, for the property located at 540 Barrett Avenue. Leslie inquired how the City can be assured that this addition will not also encroach more than 22.8' given the placement of the house. Jaffray stated he is assuming the new survey completed by Gronberg is accurate. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. PAGE 30