10-13-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 13, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13 of 21 (8. #14-3690 TONKA LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC, 1565 ORCHARD BEACH PLACE (PID 07-117-23-43-0026), VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, Continued) Bremer stated her biggest concern is the average lakeshore setback as well as the grading concerns. Bremer stated there have been occasions in the past when the City has deviated from that average lakeshore setback but that she is unaware of a situation where the City totally ignores that requirement. The average lakeshore setback is meant to protect the lake and views and allow vegetation as opposed to a house. Bremer stated some of those issues could be mitigated but that she does not see currently that there is enough information to allow a structure like this within the average lakeshore setback even given the fact that the proposed structure is small. Haugan stated the sight line variance makes the entire lot unbuildable. Bremer stated she understands that. Bremer stated as it relates to the rest of the variances, she would like to hear what the rest of the Council is interested in doing. Bremer stated she would like to have an opportunity to consider the application since this is a different plan presented in a different way. McMillan stated she has an issue with the setbacks and the number of variances being requested. McMillan stated in her view the proposed house, even though small, might be too big for the lot given the number of variances. McMillan noted she is not saying the lot is not buildable but that what is being proposed is too much and would have too great of an impact. Levang stated she is in agreement that there are too many variances being requested and that she is not in favor of destroying the trees. Levang stated the average lakeshore setback is also a huge issue and that she has questions about whether the drainage will work on this lot. Gaffron stated Staff does not have an engineering report at the present time but that the proposed plan would essentially create a ditch on the north and west side of the house. Gaffron stated in his view the grading is risky. Levang stated there are a number of issues that still need to be addressed and that every angle of the house has to be mitigated. Levang indicated she is not in favor with going forward with the application. Printup stated the house may be too big for this lot but that there are other small lots in Orono. Printup indicated there are also issues with the sewer and other potential uses for the property and that he would like to think about it further. McMillan stated over time the lots in this area have gotten bigger and that this lot is no longer in line with the rest of the neighborhood. Mattick stated the Council should consider whether it is within the character of the neighborhood. Mattick noted the Council is not necessarily looking at the house tonight but rather the requirements of the lot to build on. Mattick stated this lot might be the smallest lot in Orono and that the Council can take a step back to contemplate what may work on the lot. Levang moved, Printup seconded, to table Application No. 14-3690, Tonka Lake Properties, LLC, 1565 Orchard Beach Place.