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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MondaY-,JunelS,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Barnhart stated the average lakeshore setback line clips the edge of the existing home, with approximately 72 square feet lakeward of the setback line. The proposed project will be clipped by the line in approximately the same area. The project attempts to mitigate the encroachment by trading house encroachment for approximately 58 square feet of deck on each of the top two floors. The neighboring property most subject to impact is the property to the south. Maintaining the required 30-foot side yard setbacks renders the property unbuildable. The proposed improvements center the garage on the lot and move the living portion of the house marginally closer to the north neighbor. Staff finds the lot size and lot area are pre-existing conditions and not caused by the applicant. In addition, Staff finds that the proposed improvements are consistent with the character of the neighborhood and the applicant has made an attempt to mitigate or minimize negative impacts to the adjoining properties. Further, it does not appear that the adjacent property owners will be adversely impacted by the redevelopment of the property. Staff finds there are special conditions relating to the existing home and property which support granting the requested average lakeshore, side yard, lot size and lot area variances. Planning Staff recommends approval of the variances to allow redevelopment of the property as proposed. Landgraver asked if the applicant is staying within the portion that clips the average lakeshore setback and not expanding it. Lemke noted they are moving it back slightly. Leskinen stated there is a reduction in the encroachment. John Thiesse, Applicant, stated they did pull the house back and that the original deck was actually ten feet back from the existing deck. Thiesse indicated they have worked hard to fit the structure in with the area that is left and that it is a very difficult site. Mike Sharratt, Designer, stated they have worked very hard on this project and that they did not want to ask for anything more than what is absolutely necessary. Sharratt pointed out where the deck has been pushed back ten feet further. Sharratt stated they also connected the garage to the house and left the existing footprint of the house in the location it was . Sharratt stated the dimensions are the same for the house and garage. The garage has been pulled further away from the street to 12 feet where it is presently at approximately 6.5 feet. Sharratt stated given the constraints of the site, this is a very reasonable proposal. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 9:53 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 9:53 p.m. Leskinen stated the application is very straight forward and that the applicant has taken every measure to ensure the impact is minimized. Page 29 of 53