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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 /> a 10-foot setback is required. Construction on the shed has been stopped and the applicant has requested <br /> a setback variance. <br /> A detailed analysis of the practical difficulties was provided in the Staff report. However,while the <br /> applicant has provided a compelling argument supporting the placement of the shed, Staff finds few <br /> practical difficulties exist which support the requested variance beyond that of convenience. <br /> To date no public comments have been received. <br /> Planning Staff recommends denial of the variance. As the shed is only partially constructed,the applicant <br /> should be required to apply for a building permit for the shed and move it to a conforming location. <br /> Thiesse asked if there was a foundation previously there. <br /> Curtis indicated the foundation on the survey depicts the existing foundation. <br /> Thiesse asked if the shed is on frost footings. <br /> Curtis indicated it is. <br /> Shawn Wischmeier,Applicant, stated the floor of the shed or garage structure was part of the cabin <br /> building permit,which is why it is there. Wischmeier stated the reasons he is here is because he is asking <br /> for a variance for the base of the garage and that the concrete and the floor was approved as part of the <br /> building permit. <br /> Curtis noted it was approved as a patio. <br /> Wischmeier stated the patio as constructed is 3.3 feet too close to the cabin. <br /> Thiesse stated the patio could have been up next to the house but it is the building that cannot be that <br /> close. <br /> Wischmeier stated the patio was being built for the express purpose of putting a garage on it but the <br /> garage was not part of the building permit. Wischmeier stated he thought this was all part of the original <br /> package and that he makes no excuses for it. The intent was that it was supposed to be conforming in <br /> order to erect the garage onto the base and that his contractor clearly understood that was to be done. <br /> Wischmeier pointed out the 6.7 foot setback. Wischmeier explained the drop in elevation is <br /> approximately 12 feet,and that when they bought the lot,they thought it had a nice elevated area. <br /> Unfortunately that area has very poor soils and a bunch of fill was brought in to raise it up. Wischmeier <br /> stated the practical difficulties relate to the foundation and the extreme drop-off. Wischmeier indicated <br /> they are attempting to make the structure compact to hide it the best they can from the lake and to get it <br /> where there is good soil to pour the foundation. <br /> Wischmeier stated the practical difficulty is the grade,and that getting to buildable soil for the garage <br /> foundation was challenging,which is why the contractor moved towards the cabin. The challenge with <br /> extending it four feet means that they will have to dig down a good way to get to flat soil, which results in <br /> the whole foundation having to be shifted down three to four feet. Wischmeier stated the problem with <br /> Page 6 of 21 <br />