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CITY OF ORONO <br />RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br />NO. .6697 <br />2. The Property is located in the RR -1 B One Family Rural Residential Zoning District. <br />3. The Property contains 0.87 acres in area and has a defined lot width of approximately 60 <br />feet. <br />4. Applicant has applied for the following variance[s]: <br />a. Front Setback Variance <br />b. Side Setback Variance <br />5. In considering this application for variances, the Council has considered the advice and <br />recommendation of the Planning Commission and the effect of the proposed variances <br />upon the health, safety and welfare of the community, existing and anticipated traffic <br />conditions, light and air, danger of fire, risk to the public safety, and the effect on values <br />of property in the surrounding area. <br />ANALYSIS: <br />1. "Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes <br />and intent of the ordinance ...." The proposed footprint addition, decks, and second story <br />addition are residential in nature. There is adequate space for light, air and open space <br />between the home and Smith Avenue; the proposed second story addition will not further <br />encroach into the front or side setbacks. The variances are in harmony with the Ordinance. <br />2. "Variances shall only be permitted . . . when the variances are consistent with the <br />comprehensive plan." The variances for improvements to a single family residence in a <br />residential zone are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as well as the character of <br />the neighborhood. <br />3. "Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance establishes that there are <br />practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. 'Practical difficulties,' as used in <br />connection with the granting of a variance, means that: <br />a. The property owner in question proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner, <br />however, the proposed use is not permitted by the official controls. <br />The request to permit construction of additions to the home, within the 30 foot side <br />and 50 foot front setback areas appears to be reasonable as the adjacent <br />properties do not appear to be adversely impacted; the mature vegetation and <br />topography separate the Property from both roadways as well as adjacent <br />neighbors. The setback encroachments will not create an unreasonable perception <br />of additional massing. <br />2 <br />