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Practical Difficulties Answers: l. The zoning rules for our property and location do not allow us to add on to the current foundation footprint to bring the building up to current architectural standards. We desire to add on to the existing structure as outlined in the attached building plans. 2. Based on our location to Dickey's Lake, the adjacent owners' building footprints, and the Orono city rules, we are not allowed to expand our residence as we desire in the attached building plans. 3. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. In fact, by bringing the home up to current architectural standards, it will improve the neighborhood. Most of the houses surrounding Dickey's Lake are setback to a similar distance. We are not asking to build any closer to the water line, we only want to improve the existing structure to current standards and bring the residence up to date as is with most of the other houses in the neighborhood. 4. We are not asking for economic considerations, we are asking to be granted a variance and building permit to invest modestly in the property and maintain our property value. 5. We have considered, but are not asking for any variance to allow improved solar energy systems at this time. 6. We are not asking for any abstract use, we are only asking to improve our residence as listed above and in the attached plans. 7. We are not asking for any multi-family dwellings. 8. The property immediately to our south is one of the original remaining farmhouses in the area. The house is located within 50' of Brown Road, and has a barn in the center of the property from front to back that is in a similar location from the lake as our home. Due to this house's location, as well as the house location of the property immediately to our north, Orono's zoning rules require us to request a variance to make any improvements in size to our structure. 9. If our neighbor to our south, with the unique property placement, were to build at the same distance from the lake that we are requesting, a variance would not be required. Our neighbor's unique circumstance, having a house location so close to Brown Road, forces us into a variance situation. 10. The variance enables us as the applicant to exercise our rights as landowners to improve our property and protect its value. 11. Our proposed improvements will not impact our neighbors' sightlines, health, safety, comfort or morals in any way. 12. The improvements will not only serve as a convenience, but these improvements are necessary to bring the home up to modern architectural and safety standards. # 3812 RECEIVED FEB 1 2 2016 CITY OF ORONO