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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, May 19, 2003 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#11 #03-2901 DENALI CUSTOM HOMES, INC. ON BEHALF OF MELINDA LEE <br /> AND THOMAS DEVEAU, Continued) <br /> neighbor had been granted an average lakeshore setback variance which further restricted <br /> his views. <br /> Gaffron felt this to be a legitimate hardship,plus, the neighboring home was also at a <br /> higher elevation. <br /> Mabusth reiterated that, the fact that, the applicants are required to have hardcover in the <br /> 75-250' setback due to the steepness of the grade, they have lost the ability to use that <br /> hardcover elsewhere. <br /> Rahn referred to the fact that smaller lots require smaller houses, while at the same time <br /> acknowledging that the home was modest. He questioned whether the garage could be <br /> turned to end loading in order to gain some extra square feet. <br /> Bieker reiterated that, since the neighbor was given an average lakeshore setback variance, <br /> the applicant could not pull his home further back and still retain his lake views. <br /> Gaffron acknowledged that, if you figured in the steps, walkway, rock walls, and retaining <br /> walls in the 75'-250' setback, which is an unusual circumstance, one could argue that he <br /> deserves a credit for those things,plus a potential credit for the neighbors' encroachment. <br /> Bremer suggested he be granted a 2% credit for these circumstances. <br /> Bieker felt that an additional credit could be given for being unable to pull the home back <br /> 10' further, which would allow them to meet the 25%hardcover. <br /> Chair Smith reviewed the hardship position as the steepness and grade of the lot, the <br /> narrowness of the lot, and the encroachment of the neighbor. <br /> Bremer suggested the Commission determine at what point a lot is considered `narrow', in <br /> some future discussion. <br /> Bremer moved, Hawn seconded, to recommend approval of Application #03-2901, <br /> Denali Custom Homes/Melinda Lee and Thomas DeVeau, 680 Tonkawa Road, <br /> granting approval of the variances for lot area and lot width, as well as, hardcover in <br /> excess of 25% in the 75-250' zone, based on the credit circumstances aforementioned, <br /> the narrowness of the lot, and the steepness of the grade, and subject to approval of a <br /> drainage plan to permit construction of a new residence on the property. VOTE: <br /> Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> PAGE 36 of 39 <br />