09/20/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 20,2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-3051 Kevin and Julie Fitzpatrick,Continued) Gundlach indicated people are allowed a stairway to the lake. Jurgens stated he also is persuaded somewhat by the fact that this neighborhood is gradually going towards the larger lots,which is changing the character of the area. Fritzler stated just because someone buys a lot on a lake,they should not be expected to sit on that lot for a period of time until additional property can be acquired in order to create a larger lot. Fritzler stated he would prefer to see the residence a little bit smaller and a little bit lower just to reduce the appearance that it is a big structure on a small lot,but that he generally does not have much disagreement with the proposal. Kempf stated if a purchaser is not allowed to build a decent home to live in on these small lots,it removes this type of lot from the market. Kempf stated he is in favor of the proposal. Leslie thanked the neighbors for their comments on this proposal. Leslie moved,Kempf seconded,to recommend approval of a lot area variance,lot width variance, and north and south side yard setback variances to permit construction of a residence located at 356 West Lake Street. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 1,Jurgens Opposed. Jurgens stated he is opposed to the approval because he does not see a hardship for the variances. 8. #04-3052 ERIC VOGSTROM,2618 CASCO POINT ROAD—VARIANCE Eric Vogstrom,Applicant,was present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting a number of variances in order to construct a new single-family residence on the property. The variances being requested are a hardcover variance for 57.9 percent hardcover within the 75'-250' setback zone where 25 percent is normally allowed; a variance for a side street setback of 10 feet where a 15-foot setback from the adjacent right-of-way is normally required; and an average lakeshore setback variance to encroach 10' nearer to the lake than the property to the south. Curtis stated the current home on the property is set back approximately 86 feet from the ordinary high water level,with the applicant's proposal showing a 75-foot setback. Curtis indicated the view of the lake from the property to the south should not be impacted by the applicant's proposal. Curtis stated bordering the applicant's property to the north is an undeveloped public right-of-way. The applicant's property is approximately 80 feet in width. Allowing for a 10-foot setback on the south and a 15-foot side street setback on the north leaves a 55-foot wide buildable area. It is Staff's opinion a reasonable home can be constructed within this area. The applicant is proposing 57.9 percent hardcover for this lot, with a 3,002 square foot footprint to essentially max out the 15 percent structural coverage amount based on the total dry land area. The total property area is 20,561 square feet;however,this includes approximately 4,000 square feet separated PAGE 20