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• MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, November 15,2015 <br /> 6:30 dclock 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. (continued) <br /> Schwingler stated a pool would be a great addition to the property but not inside the 75-foot setback. <br /> From a hardship standpoint, the applicants have not demonstrated a practical difficulty for the pool to be <br /> located there. <br /> Schoenzeit stated if it was the only location on the property for it to go, that would be a different story, <br /> but that the 75-foot setback is critical in Orono. <br /> Landgraver indicated he is in agreement with the other design aspects contained in Staffi s <br /> recommendation. <br /> Leskinen stated there is no compelling reason to �rant the variance since it does not meet the practical <br /> difficulty criteria. Leskinen asked if the applicant would like to reconsider other options or have the <br /> Planning Commission vote on it. <br /> Johnson noted the MCWD does not have any objections to the plan and that they have met the MCWD <br /> setback. <br /> Curtis stated the 35-foot setback is a City regulation and that this request does not trigger Watershed <br /> permitting. <br /> Johnson noted the 75-foot line goes through the house and that there is no flexibility. There would be 400 <br /> feet located inside the 75-foot setback and the pool would have little to no impact on the wetland, let <br /> alone the lake. Johnson stated he is not familiar with the other property that the Planning Commission <br /> was talking about. Johnson noted the pool is only 14 feet wide. <br /> Schnell stated she would just ask for the Planning Commission's consideration. Schnell stated this is <br /> their dream home and that they would like to have a pool. Schnell indicated they are not planning to <br /> build anything that would be an eyesore from CR151 and that in their view they are placing the pool in <br /> the right location. Schnell stated she does not believe anyone would put a pool in their front yard and that <br /> this is the only location for the pool. <br /> Leskinen stated she understands what the applicant is saying and that she would like to be able to say yes <br /> to what they are requesting but that the Planning Commission has to abide by certain standards. Leskinen <br /> stated granting a variance from those standards would require a practical difficulty and that she cannot <br /> find a compelling reason to be able to grant the variances, especially when there are other places a pool <br /> could go. <br /> Leskinen stated it is unfortunate the house sits where it sits but that the Planning Commission has to deal <br /> with what is in front of them. Leskinen stated the applicants can either proceed forward to the City <br /> Council or table the application. Leskinen noted the Planning Commission will not have a meetin�in <br /> December and that their application will not be heard until January if they wish to table it. Leskinen <br /> stated the Planning Commission is a recommending body and that the City Council could approve it if <br /> they thought it appropriate. <br /> Johnson requested their application be tabled. <br /> Page 19 of 29 <br />