01-21-2014 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, November 18, 2013 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 35 Staff has received updated comments today regarding the applicant’s revised plan from the adjacent property owner who provided initial comments. The revised survey and detailed garage plans better clarify the existing usable space within the applicant’s garage. Staff continues to find that creating a more nonconforming structure is not in character with the neighborhood. The revised addition adds mass within the eastern side setback area and also within the average lakeshore setback. The applicant has not demonstrated a reasonable practical difficulty supporting additional structure within the average lakeshore setback or within the 75-foot setback area. Further, the applicant has failed to demonstrate that enforcing the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance deprive them of the reasonable use of the property. Planning Staff continues to recommend denial of the variances. Lixiao Wang, Applicant, stated they have downsized their proposal. Wang indicated they currently have three cars, with two of those vehicles being a truck and an SUV which do not fit into the garage. Wang stated if they do not do this project, they will have to continue to park the cars outside. Wang noted the neighbor’s house is up higher than his and that the trees currently block the view from the neighbors. Wang pointed out the location of the trees on the overhead. Wang indicated their new proposal has been reduced by three feet, which does not provide any additional space for boats or other equipment and that they are basically asking for a basic three-car garage. Wang stated if they reduce the proposed garage any further, their cars will not fit in the garage. Wang stated this is the best option they have. Thiesse asked if there are three garage doors now. Wang indicated there are two. Thiesse stated he did visit the property and that he recalled a two-door garage and something else without a garage door. Wang indicated there are not three doors. Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. Leskinen indicated her position has not changed from the last meeting and that in her view there is still a considerable amount of massing near the shoreline. Landgraver stated the other point is if fairly common vehicles do not fit in the garage that obstructs the neighbor’s view already and the cars will remain parked outside, that is worth some consideration. As proposed, the vehicles will be put away inside a symmetrical building rather than sitting outside, which seems to make sense. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 01/21/14* Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 11/18/2013 [Page 2 of 35]