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MINUTES OF THE � <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, November 15, 2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clocl� p.m. <br /> 6. #15-3795 SOUTHVIEW DESIGN ON BEHALF OF ROBERT AND BETH SCHNELL, <br /> 1130 OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD SOUTH,VARIANCES, 7:46 P.M.—8:22 P.M. (contiizued) <br /> The one neighboring property lakeshore home is over 700 feet away and is separated visually by <br /> vegetation and/or topographic differences. The proposed improvements are designed to have minimal <br /> visual impact from the lake. <br /> The home was constructed priar to adoption of the Shoreland regulations. Staff would note that the <br /> hardcover is not calculated specifically for the hardcover within 75 feet. Staff estimates were provided <br /> based on the hardcover calculation sheets for the overall property. Priar to placement on the City Council <br /> agenda, the applicants should provide clarification on the specified amount of hardcover within 75 feet. <br /> Staff has provided a practical difficulty analysis within the report and finds that the location of the home <br /> in the property results in a difficulty or an inability to make structural or hardcover changes on the <br /> lakeside of the property. In addition, the awkward shape of the lot and lake-based setbacks also add to the <br /> difficulty. It appears special conditions exist relating to the home location on the property which may <br /> support granting the requested lake setback and average lakeshore setback variances for some or all of the <br /> deck improvements and pergola. However, the setback and hardcover variances relating to the pool <br /> would appear to serve merely as a convenience to the owners and there are alternative locations on the <br /> property where this amenity could be located. <br /> The granting of variances to permit a pool to be located less than 75 feet from French Creek and the 35- <br /> foot setback would not be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan or in keeping with the <br /> intent of the Zoning Code. Based on the information provided and Staffls analysis, it does not appear that <br /> the applicant provided sufficient practical difficulties to support granting these variances. <br /> There have been no comments from the public received regarding this application. <br /> The Planning Commission should evaluate the practical difficulty criteria against the requested variances <br /> and make a recommendation to the City Council. Planning Staff recommends approval of the variances <br /> to allow modifications to the construction of the decks and pergola. Staff recommends denial of the <br /> wetland setback and hardcover variances relating to the pool,retaining walls, and pool patio. <br /> The Planning Commission had no questions for Staff. <br /> Tim Johnson, Southview Design, stated this is a challenging site and that the owners were not aware of <br /> the setbacks when they purchased the property. The owners have already invested quite a bit in the <br /> property and have renovated the existing home. The goals are to wark with the City as far as trying to <br /> adapt a new outdoor living space than is much smaller than what was originally envisioned. Johnson <br /> stated they are now proposing to keep the existing catwalks and main deck area,which are over the 75- <br /> foot line, as is, but they would like to improve the existing deck where the pergola is at by 200 square <br /> feet, which would allow a table setting. Current deck conditions do not allow them to use it practically. <br /> Curtis displayed a picture of the catwalk. <br /> Johnson stated they would like to increase the catwalk by 200 square feet but it would still be inside the <br /> 75-foot area. <br /> Page 16 of 29 <br />