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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart noted the City is not rezoning the area and that she would still be allowed to use her property <br /> and not go through the variance process as her neighbors have to. Barnhart stated the draft ordinance <br /> provides some flexibility for her neighbors to use their property. <br /> Nelson indicated she has lived in this neighborhood for 35 years and that she has seen a number of <br /> situations where they could not remodel that was aesthetically pleasing. Nelson commented it still seems <br /> to her that there is a more reasonable and simple solution, such as rezoning the whole neighborhood to an <br /> appropriate designation that is fair to everyone. Nelson stated by doing that, it would also probably <br /> address the setbacks to some extent. Nelson stated if they rezone the neighborhood to an acre, she would <br /> be able to also share in the fruition of the neighborhood. <br /> Nelson noted she spoke with the Council about it this year as well as Staff in years past and that in her <br /> view the City is missing the opportunity to address this with the Comprehensive Plan Update. Nelson <br /> stated it was suggested to her to wait until the Comprehensive Plan Update but nobody seems to want to <br /> address rezoning anything in the Comprehensive Plan because people think it will change the character of <br /> the neighborhood. Nelson commented the proposed ordinance will do the same thing. <br /> Nelson stated in her view massing will be an issue and is a far greater threat to the character of the <br /> neighborhood. Nelson stated she is asking that consideration be given to rezoning her neighborhood. <br /> Nelson noted no other house in her neighborhood could subdivide if it is rezoned to one acre. Nelson <br /> commented it is likely all of these small neighborhoods have a lot or two that contain a property similar to <br /> hers and they would feel like they were not given their full due by creating a situation like this. <br /> Nelson requested the Planning Commission reject Option 3 and to create a solution that will be more <br /> equitable to everybody. <br /> Barnhart noted Option 3 would be changing the setbacks applicable to specific zoning districts and that <br /> the ordinance tries to provide some flexibility based on nonconforming lots. <br /> Landgraver asked if Option 2 would allow a larger lot to be subdivided. <br /> Barnhart stated if the size requirement was changed,the property could be subdivided assuming they have <br /> the appropriate frontage. <br /> Landgraver commented there are probably only a handful of large lots located in a small lot <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Gaffron stated the boundaries of the neighborhood should probably be defined before making this type of <br /> decision. <br /> Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 12:10 p.m. <br /> Barnhart stated in 2016,the City processed 41 variances and setback variances related to street or side <br /> setbacks were included in 19 of them. Barnhart stated surveys for those properties were looked at to <br /> apply the new zoning ordinances. One of the properties had a 1-foot setback but most of the setbacks <br /> were in the 11 to 25 feet range. Barnhart stated if the new setbacks are applied based on the draft <br /> Page 46 of 48 <br />