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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,November 20,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Landgraver asked for clarification on the timeline. <br /> Curtis indicated the screen porch was built sometime after the applicants purchased the property in <br /> August of 2016. Some other construction was going on at the property,which consisted of a fence. <br /> Following installation of the fence, a stop work order was issued on the screen porch. Curtis indicated <br /> she is not sure what type of communication went on between the applicant and the inspector. Staff met <br /> this fall with the homeowner and walked through the process and the applicant subsequently applied for a <br /> variance. <br /> Lemke asked whether the design of the screen porch meets all of the City's requirements. <br /> Curtis stated that is unknown at this time and that the comments from the inspector indicate that footing <br /> inspections would need to be conducted as well as a review of the structural components of the porch. <br /> Curtis stated that process would start with the applicant submitting building plans. <br /> Steve Schottler, Applicant, stated they are new citizens to the Orono. Schottler noted he currently is a <br /> stay-at-home dad but that he previously worked for a real estate company and appeared before various <br /> planning commissions. Schottler stated he understands how important the process is and that he is here to <br /> ask for an after-the-fact variance for the porch. <br /> Schottler stated in their view this is a unique property because there is a long channel that connects into a <br /> cove located on one side of the property,which creates a practical difficulty as it relates to the lakeside <br /> setbacks. Schottler stated he was able to meet with four of his neighbors. The neighbor to the right has a <br /> deck that is 65 feet from the cove, another neighbor on the right has a deck that is 95 feet from the main <br /> lake,and then the other two neighbors have decks that are 85 and 75 feet to the lake. Schottler noted his <br /> house to the main portion of the lake is 144 feet. <br /> Schottler stated part of the problem lies with the fact that the City's measurements are based on the high <br /> water level. Schottler stated when he measured it from the water's edge, it was over 75 feet. The area <br /> where the measurement was taken is the former boathouse area of the previous owner. Schottler stated it <br /> is actually a manmade inlet just for the boathouse,and that if you measure it out to where the rest of the <br /> cove is, it is approximately 102 feet. The house sits back 144 feet back from the main lake and a little <br /> over 75 feet from the edge of the water to the boathouse. Schottler stated in their view they are using the <br /> land in a reasonable manner and not asking for anything out of the ordinary. <br /> Schottler stated the reason for the variance is the cove since the cove creates a special condition and is <br /> peculiar to this property and the immediately adjoining property. The condition this cove presents does <br /> not apply to many other structures in the district. <br /> Schottler displayed a photograph depicting the view from the porch to the property located at 2730 <br /> Shadywood Road. Schottler noted from their deck and back yard,those neighbors are unable to see into <br /> the back yard. The neighbor on the other side is also unable to see the porch since there is dense foliage <br /> between the two properties. <br /> Schottler displayed some photographs depicting the cove from the edge of the porch. Measuring from the <br /> water's edge of the cove, it is a little over 75 feet and approximately 144 feet to the main body of water. <br /> Page 2 of 21 <br />