11/20/2006 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMNIISSION Monday,November 20,2006 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#06-3246 HIGALAND BUILDERS,CONTINUED) Gaffron stated the mid point of the lot would be 80 feet from the south line of the easement and there would be approximately 60 feet of width between the two ten-foot setbacks. Morris stated the width of the house is 44 feet and there is a ten-foot setback on each side. Morris pointed out the existing house has a two-foot setback. Bremer stated the Planning Commission has to understand the amount of buildable area available in order to determine whether there is a hardship. Bremer opened the public hearing at 9:40 p.m. William Titler,2184 Shadywood Road, stated he owns the property at 4209 Shadywood and that he is in the process of constructing a home on that lot. Titler stated they were aware that the sewer line was in that location prior to purchasing the property. ` Titler stated there is more buildable area behind the easement than there is in front of the easement and that the buildable area is between 1900 and 2000 square feet. Titler pointed out there is more buildable area behind the easement than there is in front of the easement. Titler stated the hardcover numbers are based on the idea that there is an easement that exists and that the applicant is asking for approximately 864 square feet of extra hardcover. Titler stated if the easement did not exist and the house was constructed at the average lakeshore setback line,they would need to construct 27 feet of additional driveway. Title stated 784 square feet is enough to construct 90 to 100 lineal feet of eight-foot wide driveway and that in reality the easement is being used as a convenience to locate the house in front of the average lakeshore setback line and that they could not construct the house all the way down to the easement within the hardcover limits. Titler stated it is unreasonable to think that you can push a house all the way down to the average lakeshore setback and meet the hardcover numbers on this lot unless they constructed a very small house. Titler stated there is no hardship for the hardcover. Titler stated the house could be fit into the buildable area with a detached garage. Titler pointed out that the design of their house would allow them to see out over the existing residence but that if the proposed residence is constructed in the proposed location,it would obsiruct their view of the lake. Titler expressed concerns regarding the runoff off of the driveway. There were no further public comments. Bremer closed the public hearing at 9:47 p.m. Bremer stated in her opinion the applicant has ample room to construct a house behind the average lakeshore setback and that the applicant could also look at constructing a detached garage. Bremer stated in her view the neighbor's view of the lake would be severely impacted by the new residence. PAGE 20