08-19-2013 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, July 15, 2013 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 23 access to the lift station. Assuming the new property owners have guests at their property and they park on the street, that would block access to the lift station. Wysocky stated removal of the trees is also a big concern. Wysocky noted they maintain the 75-foot setback on the shoreline as well as the neighbors and that there are a number of mature trees on this property that will need to be taken out or killed. Wysocky noted her mother has lived on this property since1958 and that they are strongly opposed to the rear setback variance from 35 feet to 12.5 feet, which would locate this house 40 feet from their house and is too close for that neighborhood. Wysocky stated they routinely see people walking up and down Orchard Beach Place all the time for access to the lake. As it relates to the 1980 sale, Wysocky stated the new property owners should have been aware that this was an unbuildable lot since it was declared unbuildable in 1978. It is also very clear in the Orono records that this is an unbuildable lot and it was declared unbuildable several times. Wysocky stated she would like to correct something in the application relating to city water. Wysocky noted everyone in the neighborhood has their own well and that there is not city water. There is city sewer available but not city water. Wysocki indicated she would like to state on the record that she and her mom are very opposed to every variance that is being requested. Les Delton, 1535 Orchard Beach Place, stated his father purchased the property from Lisa Wysocky’s grandfather and that his father has been there since 1963 and he has personally been there since 1965. Delton stated they have always been told it is a fire lane. Delton indicated they did have a dock at the end of the road from 1963 to 1993, at which time the City required the dock be removed. Delton indicated when they did have their boat down there, they were told they could not park at the end of the road. Since the early 1960s, Delton indicated they have always been told that is a fire lane and for emergency access. Delton stated in his view building a small house will change what is happening in the neighborhood and that they are currently being surrounded by big million dollar mansions. This small house will change the look of the area and that he is definitely opposed to the variances to allow for a house to be built on that lot. Nancy Delton, 1535 Orchard Beach Place, stated she has resided there since 1993 and that she routinely cleans the beach and the fire lane. Delton stated as it relates to the environment, there are typically hundreds of lady slippers, especially during rainy seasons, all the way from the lift station to well within this property line. Delton indicated she has also witnessed flooding on this property over the years and that a person cannot walk in there in the summertime due to the mud. Delton noted the guys who did the survey had enormous trouble this spring given the heavy rains but that it is not uncommon for this property to be wet and muddy. Delton stated she is opposed to all variances they are requesting. Patricia Pfeffer, 2850 Taniger Lane, Excelsior, stated she is the owner of the subject property but at the time of purchase she was not aware a dock or a tent could not be put in. Pfeffer indicated her kids put a dock in one year and within 24 hours the City had tagged it but yet there was a dock at the end of the street. Item #01 - PC Agenda - 08/19/2013 Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 07/15/2013