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VARIANCE APPLICATION LAND USE PLANNING (Keep these pages for your information) THE ZONING CODE is a set of regulations and performance standards aimed at guiding the orderly development and use of land within Orono consistent with the goals of our Comprehensive Plan. The attempt· is made to balance existing land use against ideal situations. The code is the law. A VARIANCE is the procedure established to modify the strict enforcement of the letter of the. law. A variance may be issued by the City Council upon finding that a unique situation exists, that strict enforcement would cause an undue hardship, and that the end result would be within the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. A HARDSHIP MUST BE DEMONSTRATED BY THE APPLICANT. The hardship must be unique to the land in question, or to a small area, it cannot be a common situation. The hardship must run with the land. Examples are steep slopes, lakes or wetlands, large trees, existing structure locations, and unusually shaped or sized properties without adjacent vacant land. A VARIAN CE CANNOT BE ISSUED to satisfy the aesthetic or economic desires of applicant; to simplify design or construction; to affect any building code requirements; to permit any land use not allowed within the zoning district; when the requested use can be located somewhere on the property without a variance; or if the result will in any way affecfY'tt, · . ~ the public health, safety or general welfare. - FffiST STEP. You are required to visit the Zoning Department and discuss your proposal. . You will be advised of specific code requirements and fee payments. PROCEDURES require filing a complete application with the Zoning Administrator 25 before the Planning Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting on the third Monday* Neighbors are notified and invited to attend the meeting to make relevant comments. The City f':t Council does ask that applicants have surrounding property owners execute arf'.!l::;;J-r acknowledgement form (copies attached to this application) providing written confirmation that each owner has been made aware of the application. Please note this acknowledgement form does not seek approval or disapproval of an application. The Planning Commission reviews your request, establishes facts, and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The Council will then review the recommendation and approve or deny the application. Applicants must be present at all scheduled review meetings of the Planning Commission and Council. If an applicant is unable to attend a scheduled meeting, please make arrangements to have an authorized agent attend in your place and to advise the Building & Zoning Office of this change prior to the meeting. (*) See attached sheet for additional meetings and deadline dates. 1