01/20/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 20, 2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#03-2962 ROBERT AND JOANNE SWITZ, 1740 SHADYWOOD ROAD, VARIANCE—Continued) Mr. Switz indicated that they planned to work in the equivalence to a 16'X16' deck along the lakeside of the residence in a meandering fashion so as not to infringe on the 0-75' setback zone. Acting Chair Mabusth complimented the applicants on redesigning their proposal to more closely adhere to much of what the Commission had requested. Rahn stated that he liked the revised application and did not see any excessive areas to further reduce hardcover. Acting Chair Mabusth indicated that she was willing to accept the hardships set forward in the application which would warrant the variance requests. Hawn questioned, even with the hardships, whether the hardcover could be reduced an additional 800 s.f. Gundlach pointed out that the back-up apron is virtually accomplished by the construction of a three stall wide apron at the garage access. Switz stated that, as it stands today, the property is dramatically out of conformance. He maintained that it is their intent to create a better situation than what exists, even beyond the mathematics. Rahn concurred that by adding more driveway for a three car garage; the applicants have given themselves a ready made back-up apron. Bremer agreed, stating that given the reductions made, the tight lot parameters, she could support what has been proposed for the appropriate zones. Hannaford moved,Acting Chair Mabusth seconded, to recommend approval of Application#03-2962,Robert and Joanne Switz, 1740 Shadywood Road, granting a lot area variance to allow a rebuild on a lot which is .47 acres in size when .50 acres is normally allowed, and a hardcover variance to allow 38.6% hardcover in the 75-250' zone as the shallowness of the lot and the need for a back-up apron provide hardships inherent to the property.VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS PAGE 12 of 53