07-14-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 14, 2003 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. #03 -2909 Plekkenpol Builders Inc. on behalf of Tom McGlynn, Continued) Barrett stated that the basis for decision would not abandon the City's intent of the original permit; however, they would be overturning staff's conclusion that the work was structural. Murphy moved, White seconded, to uphold the Planning Commission's recommendation that no variance was required for the work performed on the boathouse. Moorse acknowledged that the $500 cost of the foundation work meets the requirement that the cost not exceed 50% of the 1975 value of the structure; however, he questioned the potential loss of the opportunity to move the boathouse to a conforming location. He felt this was an opportunity to bring things into conformance, and put the boathouse anywhere on the site for a mere $500. Barrett stated that they should amend the motion and call it an appeal to the stop work order which would reverse the staff recommendation, since the work amounted to less than half the value. Murphy added to the motion that the appeal to the stop work order placed on the applicant by staff indicating he could not move forward was reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council and reversed, based on the findings that the foundation work was less than half the value, and that the work was not, in this case, a structural repair because the same material was being put back on. Murphy reiterated that, in his opinion, the City has fewer opportunities to hold on to the great history of our lake, and based on resident's acknowledgement of the boathouse, he felt it fit within the character of the community and would hate to see it moved. Although he agreed that historical significance plays a role in preservation, Moorse questioned whether this structure truly had historical significance, as it did not have a unique architectural style. He pointed out that a structure should be maintained in its historical state to be considered historical or it jeopardizes its unique historical character. Sansevere questioned how many boathouses exist on the lake in Orono. Gaffron stated that about 1000 lakeshore properties are in need of inventorying to determine the characteristics worth preserving. Of those 1000, Gaffron believed 100 or so would fall within Orono, and 20 -50 would be worth preserving. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 1, Mayor Peterson dissenting. The Mayor felt the structural work had gone beyond the 50% rule. PAGE 14 OF 21 is i