02-11-1985 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 11, 1985. PAGE 2 #886 RICflARD RAGATZ 1945 CONCORDIA STREET VARIANCE Richard Ragatz was present along with David Kirscht, designer of proposed deck. Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron explainedthat the Planning Commission approved this application subject to Council ' s findings in the Krutzig application . Gaffron stated that the hardcover problem is then solved if the deck is not considered hardcover, but the problem is that the deck extends into the 0-75 ' setback area and decks are considered structures . Richard Ragatz explained that the house was built in 1921 and therefore he didn ' t have much of a choice on where to place the deck. Ragatz noted that placing the deck on the side of the property is not very acceptable to his neighbors in that the deck would be located directly outside the r.eighbors bedroom window. David Kirscht showed the Council some slides of the property. Planning Commission Representative Rovegno noted that Ragatzdid remove some hardcoverwithin that lakeshore area . Rovegno noted that Planning Commission approved the Ragatz application contingent upon Council ' s positive findings on the Krutzig application. Rovegno stated that once the hardcoverissue was solved, then the Planning Commission had to deal with the question of whether the deck structure within the 0-75 ' setback zone is considered a non- encroachment as well . Councilmember Frahm stated that he was at the Planning Commission meeting where this application was reviewed. Frahm noted that the main problem with decks is they were always considered hardcover and therefore the City never got into review of decks because hardcover was not allowed . Frahm noted that this deck does not block the view of any neighbors which was his next concern. Councilmember T. Adams noted that whatever acti_on the Council ta)�es tonight will set a precedent . Adams stated the City should consider drafting new setbacks for lakeshore if certain decks are not considered hardcover. Councilmember L. Adams asked for the average setback of surrounding homes in the area. Adams stated that it looked as if the homes were less than 75 ' from the lake. Assistant Zoning Administrator Gaffron stated that an average setback study was not done but that it appeared there were homes both less than and more than 75 ' from the lakeshore in the area .