Project Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, April 18, 2005 6:00 o'clock p.m. The property is located in the RR-IB, single-family rural residential district, and has a two-acre minimum lot size. The lot consists of 40,385 square feet. The applicants are requesting side setback variances to allow a new home to be located 15.5 feet from the north side lot line and 15.0 feet from the south side lot line. The adjacent resident to the south is approximately 41 feet from the side lot line, and its separation from the existing house at 920 Brown Road is approximately 125 feet. Under the proposed plan with a 15-foot setback, the separation between these homes is reduced to 70 feet. The applicants have indicated that the zoning when applied to this property makes it unbuildable for a home that would be proportionate with other homes in the neighborhood and in character with the style of home that is currently being built as Orono's rural area re- develops. The width of the remaining buildable envelope is 50 feet when the 30-foot side setbacks are met. Gaffron noted many substantial homes no wider than 50 feet are being built today on smaller lots in Orono and that the side setbacks could be resolved through creative design rather than variances. Gaffron stated the proposed site grading plan have the existing driveway remaining. The existing driveway is less than the required five feet from the side lot line, but its relocation slightly northward to meet the five-foot requirement would result in the removal of two mature aspen trees abutting the north side of the driveway. The topography of the site also limits the driveway relocation. Staff recommends approval of the lot area and width variances and denial of the side setback variances. Alexander stated Exhibit H illustrates the size of the lot compared to the surrounding lots and that the hardship is the size of the lot. Alexander stated normally lots consisting of one acre have ten-foot side yard setbacks and requested some leniency be given due to the size of the lot. Alexander stated the terrain and the approach to the house makes it difficult to access the residence and have a turnaround. Alexander indicated there is not sufficient room to construct a side-loading garage. Gustafson indicated they are attempting to construct a house that fits in with the character of the neighborhood and that the size of the proposed house fits in with the rest of the residences that have been PAGE 22