06-12-2006 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 12, 2006 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (8. #06 -3200 HICKORY FINE HOMES, 1374 REST POINT ROAD, Continued) From Staff's perspective, while the pool is an attractive amenity for this site, it results in excess hardcover and Staff fails to see a hardship to allow it to remain in conjunction with building a new home on the site, especially based on its nonconforming location. Bohl stated the main issue is the pool, which relates to hardcover, and that he requested the Council hear the application rather than having it tabled. Bohl stated the pool is very important to the Gangstees and that they have reduced the size of the home in an effort to keep the pool. Bohl noted the pool has been there for a long time. Bohl noted the hot tub was removed and the size of the house reduced. Bohl stated the neighbors did raise some concerns regarding drainage on the western side of the lot but that there is no opposition to the house or the pool. Sansevere inquired what the hardship is for retaining the pool. Bohl stated the existing house is located closer to the road and that the proposed house is pushed back farther, which does not allow the pool to be moved forward, which is a hardship in his view. Bohl commented the existing conditions are being improved by shifting the house further back on the lot. Gangstee stated in addition it was represented to the previous owners that the pool was outside of the 0 -75' zone. Sansevere inquired how far the pool encroaches into the 0 -75' zone. • Gaffron stated the pool is located 67 feet from the shore and the patio is 63 feet. Murphy inquired how long the pool has been in existence. Gangstee stated since 1987. Murphy inquired whether the pool could be moved. Gangstee indicated he is unsure. Bohl stated between the house and the pool there is a five -foot retaining wall and they are proposing some grading in this area so the grade at the first floor elevation and the pool would be more of a gradual slope. Bohl stated the closer the pool is brought to the house, the greater the need for a retaining wall. Sansevere stated due to the fact that this is a rebuild, the City Council has to remain consistent and not allow any encroachments in the 0 -75' zone. Sansevere stated it would be unfair to allow this encroachment but not the other residents who have approached the City requesting an encroachment in the 0 -75' zone. Gaffron stated out of six lots that were roughly the same size, four of them had hardcover around 28 percent. Gaffron stated this application is out of the range for hardcover granted to other similar lots. • PAGE 12 of 12