11-24-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2003 • 8. #03 -2951 Judith and James Pierpont, 1849 and 1801 West Farm Road —Lot Line Rearrangement — Continued owners had blacktopped part of the drive, and they finished the blacktopping. The drive connected Farm and Homestead streets and was used by neighbors. The neighbor who lived on Homestead at the end of the driveway informed the Pierponts that they were nervous about a road exiting opposite their house, so the Pierponts blocked the access to Homestead by installing a mound at the end of the drive and planting it. The Pierponts did not understand the need to remove a drive that had been in existence for so long when its presence did not impact anybody negatively. Mrs. Pierpont stated that when they bought the house, it was in disrepair and the stable was derelict. They wanted to keep the character of the property. They kept the roof, walls and foundation of the stable and converted it to a guest house with an alcove kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and bedroom. She stated that the guesthouse is only ever used by family members or close friends who visit, with the exception of allowing guests of their church to stay briefly on two occasions. They have tried to add value to the neighborhood with the changes they've made, while keeping the original charm and style of the property. She stated that they originally believed the lots were connected in order to provide • alternative sites for septic. She stated they plan to bring sewer hookups to both lots 14 and 15. • Mrs. Pierpont stated that her husband figured they have 13,000 s.f. (7.5 %) of wetland on their property with lakeshore frontage. According to his calculations, they do have enough dry buildable to keep the guesthouse. She stated they would gladly sign an agreement stating the house is only to be used by family members and that it would never generate an income. Murphy stated that the City should do a better job of protecting historic properties. Gaffron asked if they would be ignoring the preservation of a historic structure by merely requiring the kitchen to be removed. The 4 -acre requirement has to do with density. The code doesn't distinguish between constant use and occasional use. The Pierponts seem willing to limit the use of the house. Wetland is not credited in terms of density when a property is sewered. Still, the situation has existed for over 13 years with no negative impacts. There is, however, a precedent setting concern if the City allowed the situation to continue as is. Murphy stated that they need a unique situation in order to find a hardship. Mrs. Pierpont stated that the age of the house and guesthouse make it a unique situation. They were built in 1870. 11