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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, March 14, 2016 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 5 of 37 <br /> <br />9. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 <br />SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) <br />The changes have resulted in the house location being moved further from the lake ten additional feet as <br />well as a modification to the footprint in the side street yard. The applicant modified the stair tower by <br />cutting corners of the rectangular shape to reduce the square footage and massing within the setback. The <br />applicants’ revised plans continue to reflect a second driveway. <br /> <br />Curtis stated the Council should consider the applicants’ plans and direct Staff to draft a resolution <br />reflecting tonight’s decisions for review and adoption at their next meeting. <br /> <br />John Winston, 155 Wear Lane North, stated he has been working with the applicant and builder on this <br />project and that in his humble opinion it is a first-class design. Winston stated when he was asked to look <br />at this project, he was impressed by Staff’s report. Winston noted Staff is in full support of the plan and <br />has recommended its approval. Winston stated he was also impressed by the Planning Commission’s <br />recommendation, which was 6-0 in favor of the project. Winston stated in his experience working on <br />applications, he has always found Staff and the Planning Commission to be very comprehensive, very <br />responsible, and very precise in their recommendations. <br /> <br />Winston stated he also had an opportunity to view the hearing the City Council had on this matter a few <br />weeks away. Winston noted most of the comments stayed away from the variance issue and that the <br />concern seemed to be limited to hardcover and setback. Winston stated this application is in compliance <br />with both of those issues. <br /> <br />As it relates to the legal issues, Winston stated the applicant is in a great position before the Council <br />tonight since there does not seem to be much opposition to the variances and there is Planning <br />Commission and Staff approval. <br /> <br />Winston stated he has personal experience with this builder and that he cited in an e-mail to the Mayor the <br />example of a residence over on Stubbs Bay where the same builder built a home with a circular driveway. <br />Winston stated as he gets older, he finds it is easier to have an easy in and an easy out, which the circular <br />driveway allows. Winston stated in his view that type of driveway is safer for older people to navigate <br />and does not require people to back out onto the road. In addition, it helps to eliminate parking on the <br />street. <br /> <br />Winston stated in his view the builder and designer have done a wonderful job making this work on a <br />very narrow lot and that the lot compels the variances. Winston stated the design works for the family <br />and the builder. <br /> <br />Tashitaa Tufaa’s son stated he attended the Planning Commission meeting approximately two months <br />ago. Tufaa stated at that time he presented his reasons for why his family should be able to move into the <br />Orono community. Tufaa stated in order to accommodate the needs of the Heritage neighborhood, they <br />have given up ten feet of lakeshore, which was difficult for their family to do, and that they have also <br />given up six inches of fencing that was proposed for the safety of his brother. Tufaa stated he hopes the <br />Council approves their revised plan. Tashitaa Tufaa, Applicant, stated he had a chance to speak to the <br />City Council last time and that as a family they would like to move to Orono.