Laserfiche WebLink
� MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 15, 2015 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> 4. #IS-3792 JOHN AND BEN KIEFFER, 2024 SHAllYWOOD ROAD,VARIANCES, 7:06 <br /> P.M.—7:37 P.M. (co�tti�:ued) <br /> The narrow width of the lot is a practical difficulty for the addition of a garage meeting the 10-foot side <br /> setbacks. The applicants have liinited the proposed garage width to 21 feet and centered it on the lot, <br /> requiring setbacks of 9.2 feet on the north side and 9.6 feet on the south side. The applicants are also <br /> proposing a sidewalk along the abutting the north lot line, with a slight slope toward the south and <br /> draining to the street. Care will need to be exercised in constructing this sidewalk to ensure it does not <br /> drain to the neighboring property. <br /> A new entry door on the north side with a concrete stoop and a 10' x 3.3' overhang is proposed. The <br /> overhang would be considered an encroachment on the side yard requirement but desirable for the entry <br /> door. On the south side, a window well needed for basement egress will extend to within 4.2 feet of the <br /> lot line, also requiring a variance. <br /> The increase in hardcover as a result of attaching the garage is a direct result of the additional length of <br /> driveway needed to serve it. The alternative would be to construct a new 2-stall detached front-loading <br /> garage at least 30 feet from the street lot line, which could reduce or eliminate the need far an increase in <br /> hardcover. A minimal backup apron could be constructed under such a configuration. The need for <br /> additional hardcover must be weighed against the increased livability and desirability of an attached <br /> garage. <br /> The increase in structural coverage is relatively minimal. This is a small house as compared to many <br /> others in the neighborhood, and whether an attached ar detached garage is added,the character of the <br /> neighborhood would not change. The additional living space above the garage will make the house more <br /> livable, which would not be the case if a detached garage is constructed. <br /> In addition, the side setback variances for the garage are minimal and, with such a narrow lot, <br /> unavoidable unless a very narrow and less functional garage is constructed. The side setback variances <br /> for the entry overhang and the window well are also a function of the extremely narrow lot and only <br /> become an issue if roof runoff and drainage are not properly dealt with. <br /> The following items are applicable in the practical difficulties analysis: <br /> l. The property owner is proposing to use the property in a reasonable manner but the magnitude of <br /> the request is not permitted by the Zoning Code. <br /> 2. The plight of the property owner is due to having purchased a house with an extremely small and <br /> narrow lot. While the landowner did not create the small lot situation, information on the <br /> limitations on the lot imposed by the Code is readily available. <br /> 3. Expansion of the house by attaching a garage with living space above and removal of the <br /> detached garage is not anticipated to alter the character of the neighbarhood. <br /> 4. �conomic considerations are not a factor in this request. <br /> 5. The condition of having a detached garage on a lakeshore property is becoming less common as <br /> the lakeshore redevelops,but many such situations still exist in Orono on similarly situated lots. <br /> Page 9 of 29 <br />