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CITY OF ORONO <br />RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br />NO. <br />VARIANCE ANALYSIS: <br />B1. "Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes <br />and intent of the ordinance ...." Single family residences are a permitted use within <br />the R -1A zoning district and allowed by the Northgate Two PRD approvals. The <br />proposed garage addition will be within the newly established lot boundaries which <br />meets the Northgate Two PRD standards. <br />B2. "Variances shall only be permitted... when the variances are consistent with the <br />comprehensive plan." The existing structure and proposed addition are associated <br />with residential use which is consistent with the comprehensive plan guiding of this <br />and surrounding properties for residential use. <br />B3. "Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance establishes that there are <br />practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. `Practical difficulties,' as <br />used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that: <br />i. The property owner in question proposes to use the property in a reasonable <br />manner, however, the proposed use is not permitted by the official controls." <br />ii. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to his property not <br />created by the landowner." <br />iii. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality." <br />The property owner is proposing to use the property in a reasonable manner but the <br />specific lot coverage aspects of the request are not permitted by the Zoning Code. The <br />plight of the property owner is due to the Northgate Two PRD standards allowing full <br />use of the lot while the subsequently adopted lot coverage ordinance does not address <br />such PRD situations. The Council finds that he proposed additions will have no <br />impact on the character of the neighborhood, as other homes in the neighborhood <br />have been similarly developed within the boundaries of their established building <br />pads. <br />B4. "Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties." Economic <br />considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties if reasonable use for the <br />property exists under the terms of the Zoning Chapter. Economic considerations are not <br />a factor in this variance request. <br />BS. "Practical difficulties also include but are not limited to inadequate access to direct sunlight <br />for solar energy systems. Variances shall be granted for earth -sheltered construction as <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />