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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,September 18,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit stated given its location,a house on this lot would be out of character with the neighborhood, <br /> which is one of the standards of the variance. <br /> Curtis noted they are not asking to create a lot that is out of character but asking to develop the lot with a <br /> reasonable use. <br /> Thiesse stated a house that best fits the lot does not fit the neighborhood. <br /> Leskinen stated another part of the governing regulation is the effect on the health, safety, and welfare of <br /> the community. Leskinen stated with the lift station at the bottom, it is a very challenging road, and a <br /> house could create issues with parking,which is something that should be considered. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the Planning Commission is making a recommendation and not the decision but that he <br /> does not see anything compelling enough to recommend approval. <br /> Lemke stated in his view the architect did a great job designing the house but the property is not suitable <br /> for any structure. <br /> Lemke moved to recommend denial of Application No. 17-3968,Sharratt Design Company on <br /> behalf of Fred and Patricia Johnson, 1565 Orchard Beach Place and not grant any variances. <br /> Leskinen asked whether the Planning Commission needs to specify reasons for denial. <br /> Curtis stated it would be helpful if the Planning Commission would provide findings for denial at least on <br /> the variances that Staff recommended approval on. <br /> Schoenzeit stated granting the variances would make a house out of character with the neighborhood. <br /> Thiesse stated he does not see a practical difficulty for encroaching into the 75-foot setback. <br /> Curtis stated she is looking for reasons for denial on the variances recommended by Staff. <br /> Leskinen stated they are denying the application based on the fact that a house on this lot would be out of <br /> the character with the neighborhood and that they do not see a practical difficulty for the lake setback. <br /> Leskinen stated building on this lot would affect the health, safety and welfare of the community because <br /> the lot is so small, access and parking are difficult since there is a lift station at the end of the road, and <br /> the house would be out of character with the neighborhood. <br /> Thiesse noted the City typically grants lot area and lot width variances but not a variance to the average <br /> lakeshore setback. <br /> Curtis stated she recommended approval of the average lakeshore setback and that she is looking for <br /> findings for not granting the average lakeshore setback. <br /> Schoenzeit asked if the applicant could construct the house if he put it behind the 75-foot line. <br /> Curtis noted it requires an average lakeshore setback variance. <br /> Page 9 of 21 <br />