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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday, December 9,2013 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> (8. #13-3636 LIXIAO WANG, 3059 FART�IEW LANE— VARIANCES, Continued) <br /> The applicant's revised detailed garage plans better ciarify the existing usable space withii� the garage. <br /> However, Staff continues to find that creating a more nonconforming structure is out of character with the <br /> neighborhood. The revised addition adds mass within the eastern side setback area and also within the <br /> average lakeshore setback The applicant has failed to demonstrate that enforcing the provisions of the <br /> Zoning Ordinance deprive them of the reasonab(e use of the property. Staff continues to recommend <br /> denial of the variances. The City Council should consider the appLicant's revised proposal. <br /> Lixiao Wanb, Applicant, stated he is proposing a 9-foot garage addition and that he has just recently <br /> purchased the property. Wang indicated their first project was connecting to city sewer and that they then <br /> decided that a three-car garage would better fit their needs. <br /> Wang stated they initially proposed a 12-foot garage addition, which the Planning Commission <br /> recommended be reduced. Wang indicated their revised plans call for a 6-foot garage addition, which <br /> would allow them to fit a small vehicle inside the garage as well as provide space for their other two <br /> vehicles. <br /> McMillan noted she attended the November Planning Commission n�eeting and that a number of the <br /> Commissioners recommended the garage additioi� be reduced down to six feet McMillan stated she <br /> understa��ds that an 18-foot garage does not leave a lot of extra room but that she is not sure whether that <br /> is a practical difficulty. <br /> MeMillan indicated o��e of the concerns she has is the rooftop deck since it is located in front of the <br /> average lakeshore setback. McMillan stated allowing the 18-foot garage might be a practical difficulty <br /> but that the rooftop deck is not. <br /> Wang stated they would be willing to re�nove the deck. <br /> Anderson stated she does not support this application whatsoever and that in her view the nonconformity <br /> should not be increased. Anderson stated to a certain extent this is somewhat of a self-imposed hardship <br /> since the applicant has just recently purchased the property and knew what type of vehicles he owned and <br /> the size of the garage. <br /> Anderson indicated she did visit the site and that in her view there is room up by the road for a garage that <br /> might accoinmodate their needs. Anderson noted there currently is an eneroachment into the avecage <br /> lakeshore setback and the 30-foot setback. <br /> Curtis indicated there is a spot up by the road that would be out of the wetland and meet the setbacks for a <br /> detached accessory building. <br /> Levan� stated at the Planning Commission meeting the inability to have a turnout or an area for backing <br /> out was also discussed. <br /> Curtis stated part of the applicant's driveway exists via an easement over the property line. One of the <br /> concerns Staff had is that expanding the structure gave them less maneuverability in that area. <br /> Page 11 of 35 <br /> .. _ _ __ _. __ _ __ _ <br />