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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 /> Feuss noted there is a wooden fence currently on the property and asked whether that will stay. <br /> Larson indicated to his knowledge that fence is on the adjoining property and that they will not be <br /> removing it. Larson stated they are also considering adding a cistern to collect the rainwater and <br /> reuse it within the house. The rate of runoff is under what is permitted by law. <br /> Leslcinen asked whether there are other issues that need to be addressed with the City Engineer. <br /> Curtis indicated the applicant is required to submit soil information. <br /> Chair Kang opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. <br /> Richard Gherardi, 3262 North Shore Drive, stated he has several concerns. Paul Larson is the <br /> purchaser of the lot and he is scheduled to close in October with a Florida bank. Gherardi <br /> indicated he purchased their property two years ago and was told that this lot was their property <br /> by the realtor. There currently has been a lawsuit�led but put on hold until an accurate valuation <br /> is placed on the property. <br /> Gherardi stated this property is not located in a residential neighborhood or on a cul-de-sac. <br /> There are four other land owners that surround this lot. The builder is attempting to squeeze a <br /> house onto a lot that should be nothing more than grass. The lot is a third of an acre and Orono's <br /> ordinance requires a half an acre. Gherardi indicated he is receptive to variances that are minor <br /> but that this is a substantial variance. In addition,the City's ordinance requires 100 feet of width <br /> and this lot is only 50 feet with. Gherardi indicated these are not simple variances given the <br /> amount of variance that is being requested. A house on this lot would also negatively impact <br /> their property values. <br /> Gherardi stated one of the neighbors,Russell Norum, 3264 North Shore Drive, also has a number <br /> of concerns. Mr.Norum is wondering how North Shore Marina was granted the right to construct <br /> a marina and storage area for the boats. The storage area has severely impaired his view of <br /> Maxwell Bay. This proposed house will eliminate his remaining view of the lake. Norum was <br /> wondering what type of compensation he will get from the builder for losing his view. <br /> Gherardi indicated currently a Florida institution owns the property and that he has been told by a <br /> lakeshore realtor that it was a fraudulent sale to begin with and has been sold by three different <br /> banks. The bank currently has an Edina realtor that is listing the property. His real estate agent <br /> has indicated he is unsure how the property would generate that much money. The perception is <br /> that this property is not worth anything except to the adjoining property owners. Fred Johnson, <br /> the developer from Florida,is not present. <br /> Gherardi requested the Planning Commission to deny the variances. <br /> Iris Wade, 3286 North Shore Drive,indicated she is in agreement with Mr. Gherardi and that she <br /> also has concerns regarding the density. <br /> Larson noted this is a platted lot and there was a house prior to this one that burnt down at some <br /> point in the past. <br /> Page 6 <br />