05-15-2000 Planning Commission Minutes

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ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, May 15, 2000 • (#2578 David Lundberg, Continued) opportunity to review the plans for the proposed improvement and understand this letter is not requesting them to approve or disapprove this project but merely to confirm to the Planning Commission and City Council that we are aware of the plans for this project. There were no public comments regarding this application. Smith commented that the Planning Commission cannot conclude that the neighbors are in support of this project but are merely acknowledging that they are aware of the proposed project. Lundberg stated he has spoken with his neighbors regarding this project. Lindquist stated he would like a letter in support of this project before the application appears before the City Council. Lindquist moved, Berg seconded,to recommend approval of Application #2578, 900 Dakota Avenue, granting of a side yard setback to permit the construction of a 26 by 26 foot two story garage addition to the existing residence, subject to the submittal of a letter in support of the project by Tim and Julie Harrison. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#5) #2579 JAMES AND CANDANCE KEMNA, 1110 WILLOW DRIVE SOUTH -VARIANCES, 6:53 p.m. -7:10 p.m. James Kemna, Applicant, was present. The Certificate of Mailing and Affidavit of Publication were noted. Weinberger stated the Applicant is requesting variances to permit an addition to the front of the house and outdoor porch that would encroach further into the 50 foot front yard setback and into the 30 foot side yard setback and variances to permit an addition to the detached garage that encroaches into the 15 foot side yard setback required for accessory structures of 750 to 1000 square feet. Weinberger indicated the lot consists of approximately one-half acre in the RR-1 B zoning district, which has a minimum two acre lot size. Weinberger stated the addition to the front of the residence would bring the front of the residence approximately 22 feet from the roadway. The entire addition and existing house is within the 50 foot front yard setback and the 35 foot side yard setback. The additional 240 square feet that is proposed would change the footprint of the building to over 750 square feet, which requires that the building must meet the minimum setback to the property line of 15 feet. The variances being requested would permit a front yard setback of 23 feet where 41.1 feet exists and 50 feet is required, and also to permit the addition within the 30 foot side yard setback. The existing house is 8.2 feet from the west lot line. No encroachment closer than 8 feet is proposed. The second variance is to the side yard setback to permit a building over 750 feet. Code requires a 15 foot setback for buildings over 750 square feet. The 24 by 10 foot addition would expand the building to 816 square feet, thus requiring a 15 foot setback. The third variance required would be to permit the building to be located closer to Willow Drive than the average distance of the properties located around it. The intent of the ordinance is to keep the buildings in a conforming look within the neighborhood and not block the view of the adjoining residences by having a residence located • closer to the street. Weinberger noted the lots in this area are smaller in size and generally do not meet the front yard setback. This encroachment into the front yard setback would result in a Page 4