10/18/2004 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,October 18,2004 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#04-3054 Jon and Gail Blackstone, Continued) Gundlach stated if the accessory structure were to be located behind the new residence,there would be an issue with excessive hardcover in the 75-250' zone. Gundlach stated the design of the house factors into whether there is a hardship and that the current design of the house does not allow the accessory structure to be located behind the proposed residence. Rahn stated in his opinion it would be difficult to meet current setbacks due to the sloping yard, and inquired whether the Planning Commission would be receptive to 100 percent screening of the shed and allowing the shed to remain for its usable life with no structural repairs. Fritzler indicated he would not be in favor of allowing the shed to remain in light of the new construction occurring on the lot. Kempf stated in his opinion the shed cannot be screened given its close proximity to the street. Kempf moved,Fritzler seconded,to recommend approval of a lot width variance to permit a lot width at the public roadway of 110 feet when 140 feet is normally required, and to recommend denial of the variance to permit the existing accessory building to remain on the lot in a location closer to the street or front lot line than the proposed house for the property located at 4475 Forest Lake Landing,with the understanding the shed must be removed if it cannot be relocated in a conforming location. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0 6. #04-3055 DR.MARTHA SPENCER, 1005 WILLOW DRIVE SOUTH—VARIANCE Martha Spencer,Applicant, and Mark Ritter, Exterior Design Studio,were present. Curtis stated the applicant is requesting a lake setback variance to allow a gazebo within 150 feet of the ordinary high water level on a natural environment lake and a hardcover variance within the 0-75' setback zone in order to construct the gazebo and paved walkways. The property consists of 2.2 acres and is located within the RR-1B district. Curtis stated the proposed hardcover in the 0-75'setback zone is 11.7 percent where 7.7 percent currently exists. In June 2004 the applicant was granted lake setback and 0-75' hardcover variances in order to construct decks over existing patio hardcover resulting in a slight reduction in hardcover within the 0-75' zone. The applicant has advised staff that the current request was intended to be part of the previous variance application but the City did not receive any of the information regarding this portion of the proposal. The applicant is also requesting a lake setback variance to allow a gazebo setback of 22 feet where a 150 feet structure setback is required and 45 feet currently exist. The existing home is located approximately 50 feet from the ordinary water high level and the newly constructed decks are set back 45 feet. PAGE 16