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� MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,December 8,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (11. #14-3697 GARYAND JOAN MARQUARDT,2617 CASCO POINT ROAD— VARIANCES, <br /> Continued) <br /> Greene reiterated that the house needs a deck and believes the variance is minor compared to the need for <br /> a deck on this house. <br /> Levang stated she has not changed her mind since the last meeting and that she agrees with Staff's <br /> recommendation for the second-story addition,with a small landing off the front and stairway down to the <br /> lake,which is Option B. <br /> McMillan noted the Council is also talking about structural coverage and whether the deck will become <br /> enclosed at some point in time,which is important to consider. McMillan stated whenever the Council <br /> grants a structural coverage variance; it is for something that is very essential, such as a garage. <br /> McMillan stated the general feeling has been that the use of a home is reasonable even without a deck. <br /> McMillan indicated she also would be in favor of Option B <br /> Bremer indicated she is in favor of Option A. <br /> Printup stated two weeks ago he made comments regarding hardcover and how the City has changed the <br /> rules to allow more hardcover. Printup stated with this application,he is happy to see the hardcover <br /> reduced,but if you go with the black and white on the practical difficulty,it does not meet that standard. <br /> Printup stated there have been compelling arguments made for the deck,but that the City's Code says <br /> otherwise,which is what he is struggling with. Printup stated he is not sure if the applicants are willing or <br /> able to reduce the deck any further,but that he does not see a practical difficulty for the deck. <br /> Cornick stated he has not visited the property and does not have enough information at this point to <br /> comment on the application. <br /> Marquardt stated in terms of wrestling with should we or shouldn't we,the Council should ask <br /> themselves what price will be paid for allowing this. Marquardt stated he understands that terms get <br /> made up in laws to cover the bases, such as the term massing. Marquardt stated he has a hard time <br /> understanding how a deck creates a lot of mass and that he understands the concept of hardcover but it is <br /> rather nebulous when you look at the spirit and intent of the law. Marquardt asked what the price paid <br /> would be if the City were to say yes to this. <br /> Printup stated he wants to enor on the side of the homeowner,and if you go back to the phrase of whether <br /> it is a need or a want,the ordinance says it is a want and that it will become a question of what the next <br /> homeowner will desire. Printup indicated he lives on a very small lot and that there is a lot he would like, <br /> which gets into the position of what integrity the City Council will have in going through the variance <br /> process. <br /> Marquardt stated the shape and size of this lot is a hardship, and that if someone else has a similar <br /> situation,he would not be opposed to it. Marquardt stated to his understanding the City's Code provides <br /> a baseline that the City Council needs to use when it makes a decision based on the different <br /> circumstances. Marquardt stated the City Council gets to decide what they are allowed to do with their <br /> property and he is trying to understand what the rationality is for the City saying no. <br /> Page 11 of 26 <br />