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CITY OF ORONO RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL NO. 675 story deck located on the lake side of the house; a deck is not part of the new home application, although a grade -level patio similar to the existing patio is proposed. A9. A variance application was submitted in 2016 for addition of a second story above the existing garage. Prior to Planning Commission review, that application was put on hold (later withdrawn) when the Applicants and their builder concluded that drainage issues for the existing house could not be resolved through remodeling. The current application, for replacement of the existing house and garage in the same location as the existing, resolves the drainage issues, and accomplishes the desired added living space, within virtually the same footprint as the existing home. A10. The new home with a full story above the garage will increase the livability of the property while not increasing hardcover, and structural coverage is well below the limit for this site. The close proximity to the lakeshore as well as the substandard setback to the street are clearly a function of the lack of lot depth from the street to the lake, and this factor is shared by the two adjacent homes to the immediate south. Al 1. Applicants intend to save the existing trees on the lake side of the property, which provides buffering of the fagade as viewed from the lake. The house across the street sits significantly higher than Applicants' house, so that lake views enjoyed by that off -lake owner (views which are not protected by code) will be minimally affected. Al2. In considering this application for variances, the Council has considered the advice and recommendation of the Planning Commission and the effect of the proposed variances upon the health, safety and welfare of the community, existing and anticipated traffic conditions, light and air, danger of fire, risk to the public safety, and the effect on values of property in the surrounding area. VARIANCE ANALYSIS: Bl. "Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance . . . . " Single family residences are a permitted use within the LR -IC zoning district. B2. "Variances shall only be permitted... when the variances are consistent with the comprehensive plan." The proposed residential principal structure is a residential use which is consistent with the comprehensive plan guiding of this and surrounding properties for residential use. B3. "Variances may be granted when the applicant for the variance establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. `Practical difficulties,' as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that: The property owner in question proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner, however, the proposed use is not permitted by the official controls." Page 3 of 6