08/17/2015 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,August 17,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. Lensing stated she does not have many options and that she has received the support of both of her neighbors. Landgraver stated he finds this case a little more compelling since there already is a vaulted ceiling and they are squaring off the existing footprint. Leskinen stated the elevation sheet, Sheet A-5, provides a better illustration of the expansion. Leskinen stated given the constraints of this particular property, she does not have any problem with the proposal and it is reasonable. Schwingler moved,Berg seconded,to recommend approval of Application No. 15-3771,Julie Lensing,3349 Crystal Bay Road,granting of variances, per Staff recommendation. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. 7. #15-3772 ROBERT MILLER,60 SMITH AVENUE,VARIANCES,8:29 P.M.—9:00 P.M. Robert Miller, Applicant, was present. Gaffron stated this is a property that has an existing house and is located on Smith Avenue,which is just east of Orono Orchard Road. The property is fairly narrow. The applicant has recently purchased the property and proposes to remodel and construct additions, including a small addition to square off the existing house and add a second story over the house, adding a one-story mudroom and laundry, and attaching a 2-stall garage with attic storage above. The existing detached garage will be removed. Gaffron displayed an aerial photograph of the area. Gaffron pointed out the location of the existing house,the neighboring homes, and the Luce Line Trail. The applicant is requesting front yard and side yard setback variances in order to complete the project. The existing house is located approximately 33 feet from the street lot line where a 50-foot setback is normally required. The covered front entry will be slightly relocated at 29.2 feet from the front lot line. The garage and mudroom will be approximately 38 feet from the front lot line. At the north end,the house will maintain the existing 17.5 foot side setback where 30 feet is required. At the south end,the existing conforming detached garage located 13.2 feet from the side lot line will be removed, to be replaced with an attached garage at 10.1 feet from the side lot line where a 30-foot setback is required. The existing small home is proposed to be expanded to include a second story over the existing story and porch, plus a one-story mudroom/laundry room and attached single-story garage with attic storage. The front setback of approximately 30 feet will remain generally the same, although additional structure will be added to the south of the house 35 to 40 feet from the street. Gaffron noted this is a substandard lot. Based on the survey and air photos, the adjoining homes at 40 Smith and 80 Smith also are closer to the front lot line than the proposed home with additions and the remodeling will not visually place this residence out of line with the neighboring homes. The lot is limited for extending rearward due to steep slopes and the shallow rear yard directly behind the house is relatively level due to a retaining wall. Page 20 of 43