09-26-2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 26, 2005 7:00 o'clock p.m. (7. #05 -3136 TROYBROITZMAN, 1860 SHORELINE DRIVE, Continued) Sansevere pointed out that, ironically, this character and view are the things he has proposed to change most dramatically with this proposal. Broitzman stated that he found it frustrating that the new home, though more narrow than the current home, and despite his willingness to plant trees on his and his neighbor's properties that he could be denied. McMillan pointed out that each homeowner must be able to adequately screen their home within their own property boundaries. She could not support his screening on adjoining property owner's home sites. Murphy suggested the applicant team up with a contractor or architect who knows the Orono area and design a home that fits more within the character he found so appealing. Sansevere stated that he did not recall ever hearing from so many neighbors as he had on this project. Mayor Peterson pointed out that, while the neighbors support the prospect of a new home, it is the sheer magnitude of the proposal that they find disconcerting. Greg Coward, 1950 Heritage Drive, stated that, as an immediate neighbor, he had received • incomplete communication. While construction easements were granted because the neighbors recognized that something would be built on the site, the CUP calls for permanent land alteration and concrete swales which do not fit within the character of the neighborhood. Coward stated that he believed the proposal would have a negative impact on neighboring property values and questioned how a substandard sized lot with a width of 133' and 1.9 dry buildable acres could support a house almost 6.5 times larger than the current home. In his estimation, it was a large home for a small lot. Coward continued, pointing out that the structure itself would appear to be 3 stories tall or more from their perspective on their site, and that the applicant would be constructing a retaining wall 5' off their property line the entire length with inadequate room for screening. With regard to the neighbors on the opposite side, Coward pointed out that even at 30' from the property line, the home will still tower over the neighbor and shade them entirely. He noted that the screening that did exist, 40 -50' tall pine trees, had been removed by the applicant and no longer exist. In addition, the average lakeshore as equated, gives the Cowards a very limited lake view, other than that of cars, now that the trees have been removed. Leonard Dayton, 1980 Heritage Drive, stated that this kind of project in a neighborhood like this is completely out of character for not only the neighborhood, but also the community. Bob Stignna, 1930 Shoreline Drive, questioned whether what the applicant was proposing to build was a residence or an apartment building /hotel. Alan Nettles, 1940 Shoreline Drive, stated that he believed the City Council was asking the right questions and understood the neighbors' concerns. He agreed that the access should be changed to Heritage Drive. Nettles pointed out that hardships as recognized by the Code must be inherent to • PAGE 6 of 10 d