07-28-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 28, 2003 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT *3. #02 -2809 RICK STERLING, 1300 VINE PLACE — VARIANCE AMENDMENT — RESOLUTION NO. 5008 Murphy moved, Sansevere seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 5008, a Resolution granting an average lakeshore setback variance for 1300 Vine Place. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 4. #03 -2895 GARY GERMUNDSEN, 4101 HIGHWOOD ROAD - VARIANCE Waataja reported that the applicant had requested the following variances to construct a 12'X12' deck on the lakeside of the new residence. 50.5% hardcover in the 75 -250' zone (46.8% currently exists) where 25% is allowed and 1,708 s.f. of structural coverage (1,528 currently exists) where 1,500 s.f. is allowed. Waataja stated that staff would recommend denial of the request based on Resolution #4645 which approved variances allowing construction of the existing house, limiting the • applicant to 40% hardcover. Furthermore, denial of the request would be recommended since, as it currently exists, the home is over on lot coverage by structures and never received a variance. The Planning Commission concurred with staff and voted 7 -0 to recommend denial of the hardcover and structural coverage variances finding no viable hardships to support the variance requests. In addition, when reviewing hardcover calculations, Waataja pointed out that retaining walls were added at the time of construction to ensure proper drainage and were not proposed with the initial renewal variance review process. The driveway also appears larger than what was depicted on the original survey. Currently, the home is in excess of the Lot coverage by structures by 28 s.f., at 1,528 s.f. This was a result of a modification to the plan upon construction of the home. Waataja stated that the modifications include the 1.5'X12' two story bump -out and enlarged deck entry. The applicant is proposing a second story deck and stairway off the lakeside of the home greater than 6' off grade; therefore, it would be included in the lot coverage by structures figure. Germundsen stated that he bought the home with the structure and plans done. He noted that the plans did not accommodate well for water runoff, since most of the water from Highwood Road runs between he and his neighbor's property. He indicated that he had nothing on the property to trade for the deck and believed that the deck would provide him with an additional fire safety access. Germundsen maintained that the small lot was zoned • too large for what it could accommodate and shared letters from both his neighbors in PAGE 3 of 18