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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 15,2015 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> The width of the structure of the adjacent parcels varies between 66 feet to 40 feet based on aerial photos. <br /> The proposed home and setbacks appear to be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and <br /> do not appear to adversely impact adjacent properties. <br /> The Planning Commission should discuss the practical difficulties to allow side setback variances. <br /> Pat Hiller,Norton Homes, stated the lot is 100 feet wide and the current side setbacks are 30 and 30, <br /> which are consistent with the two-acre zoning. Hiller indicted they are requesting side setbacks of 15 feet <br /> and 15 feet and they are proposing a home that is set back from the front of the street that is consistent <br /> with the other homes in the area. <br /> Hiller stated in his view the proposed home does not overwhelm the lot and is in character with the other <br /> new homes in the area. Currently the home is about 19 feet from the property line to the south and the <br /> garage is approximately 10 feet from the property line. Hiller noted they are proposing 15 feet and 15 <br /> feet. Hiller indicated they are trying to construct something that is aesthetically pleasing, does not <br /> overwhelm the lot, and fits in with the new construction in the area. <br /> From a practical standpoint,the existing building pad is 40 feet on a 100-foot lot. Hiller stated from a <br /> practical and marketability standpoint, it does not make sense to remodel the existing home since it is <br /> very old and in disrepair. <br /> Leskinen asked what the practical difficulty is for granting the side yard setback. <br /> Hiller stated the existing building pad would allow a 40-foot wide home, which would be incredibly <br /> skinny relatively to the side. Hiller stated virtually all the new homes in this area have three and four-stall <br /> garages. Hiller stated a 3-stall garage is approximately 36 feet wide and they would end up with all <br /> garage, which is not very saleable and in concert with the new construction in the area. Hiller stated in <br /> his view that is a practical difficulty and that he would like to construct something that is consistent for <br /> the area. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 11:23 p.m. <br /> Robert Berrett, 1085 Brown Road South, stated he is located directly north of the applicant's property. <br /> Berrett stated the applicant mentioned he would like to make the house aesthetically pleasing, and under <br /> the City's criteria, it says that a variance may not be issued to satisfy the economic or aesthetic desires of <br /> the application. <br /> Berrett noted there was never a sign put out in the front regarding the project and that the applicant has <br /> only spoken with himself. Berrett stated in his view they are trying to get this application snuck through. <br /> Berrett stated the biggest issue he has with the project is the variance to the 30-foot setback, especially if <br /> you assume there will be 30-foot high walls on that side. Berrett noted there can be no plantings on that <br /> side that conceal this structure and that it would look directly into his daughter's bedroom. Berrett stated <br /> in his view it is a hardship to him since he will have to do plantings to protect his privacy. Berrett stated <br /> if the applicant is held to the 30 feet, he would be able to plant on his side. <br /> Berrett stated in his view it is important to understand that the applicant just purchased this property a <br /> month ago. The setbacks were understood at that point, and to say there is a new hardship involved is not <br /> Page 41 of 53 <br />