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r � <br /> MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday, September 20, 2010 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Schussler stated the neighbors are in support of the project. The previous garage was in complete <br /> disrepair,which was the reason it was torn down. They would like to live in Orono and make this <br /> their permanent residence. <br /> Chair Kang opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. <br /> Gary Briggs, 1905 Concordia Street,indicated he is a neighbor of the applicant and that he would <br /> encourage the Planning Commission to approve the application. A garage would improve the <br /> appearance of the lot. <br /> Chair Kang closed the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit asked how many square feet the proposed porch is. <br /> Curtis stated the porch is approximately 185 square feet. The applicants are asking for 236 <br /> square feet over what exists currently if the porch is eliminated. <br /> Feuss asked whether a detached garage could be constructed within the hardcover limits. <br /> Curtis stated it could be done but that it would take up a considerable amount of space on the <br /> south side of the house and would require a tuck-under garage. The building does meet side, <br /> lake, and street setbacks. <br /> Leskinen asked if the garage could be constructed without variances. <br /> Curtis indicated in her opinion it could be but it would need to be constructed within the existing <br /> square footage of the house. <br /> Kang stated the ideal situation would be if a garage could be constructed without a variance,but <br /> that she is looking at this application as a hardship given the Minnesota winters. <br /> Schoenzeit stated he would be fine with having the City Council make a finding on the hardship. <br /> Curtis stated the City Council could make a finding that a property with a home but without a <br /> garage is a hardship. At the present time,the City has not made that statement a part of the City's <br /> existing code,however,and if it is a finding that the City Council makes,the variance could be <br /> granted. <br /> Kang asked if it would require a code change. <br /> Curtis indicated it would. <br /> Schoenzeit asked whether the garage would be counted in the hardcover even if it is not <br /> constructed. <br /> Page 3 <br />