01-22-03 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, January 22, 2003 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#02-2861 ERIK THOMPSON,Continued) Rahn moved,Mabusth seconded,to approve Application#02-2861,Erik Thompson,granting a front yard setback variance and structural lot coverage variance to make first floor additions and permit construction of a new second story to the existing residence located at 1940 Concordia Street, subject to the removal of the shed,and if it looks like foundation replacement is necessary within the 30' setback that the application be revisited. VOTE Ayes 5,Nays 1,Fritzler dissenting. Fritzler stated that he still saw this as a new construction project and not a remodel. (#10) #02-2862STEVEN GRONWALL, 1586 LONG LAKE BLVD.,VARIANCE 11:21 - 11:45 P.M. Steven Gronwall,the Applicant,was present. Bottenberg explained that the applicant was requesting rear yard setback and side yard adjacent street variances to construct a new attached garage with a second story on the property. After attempting to explore several options,Bottenberg stated that due to the condition of the existing foundation, location of the existing residence, and size of the property,the only feasible option was to add a second story. Since a structural engineer determined that the existing foundation could not bear more weight without being replaced,the applicant is proposing to remove the existing garage and construct a new two stall attached garage with a second story. The garage will be enlarged an additional 78 s.f. Bottenberg maintained that, although the proposed hardcover in the 250-500' setback zone is over the allowed,the applicant has not used all of the 600 s.f. in the 75-250' setback zone and the City does allow credit for unused hardcover allotment to be transferred to zones further from the lake. Bottenberg admitted that, even with the transfer,the amount of hardcover is over the allowed amount and the proposed is increasing by 78 s.f. There might be other areas to remove hardcover in order to maintain existing levels. Rahn asked if they had looked at putting the garage addition at the other end of the property or whether there would be a conforming location anywhere on the property. Gronwall stated that they had considered it,however, since the rear neighbor is uphill the backside addition made the most sense when considering neighboring views. He added that,were he not marrying and adding children to the mix, he would not be here at this time trying to enlarge his residence. Gaffron noted that there would not be a conforming location for the addition anywhere on the property without variances. There were no public comments. Gronwall stated that he had spoken with two neighbors who favored his application but could not be present this evening. Chair Smith asked how the applicant could decrease hardcover. PAGE 26 of 29