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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,October 16,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit commented he would hope when there is no practical difficulty that the City Council and <br /> Planning Commission respect the boundaries,especially on a property this big. <br /> Leskinen stated in her view the practical difficulties are well outlined in Staff's report. <br /> Lemke stated moving it 20 feet away is going to lessen the impact. <br /> Landgraver stated he believes there are practical difficulties based on the topography and the location of <br /> the utilities. <br /> Schwingler indicated he is in agreement. <br /> Pierce stated if it is moved further back,they would see it less. Pierce questioned what the point is of <br /> having the codes if they are not respected, especially when it is such a big property, and that he would like <br /> other options explored. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 3,Nays 3; Thiesse, Schoenzeit,and Lemke Opposed. MOTION FAILS <br /> Knutson noted his property sits up higher and that he can see the neighbor's property. <br /> Thiesse stated the difficulty is that there appears to be other land available to build on. <br /> Barnhart stated tabling it would allow the applicant time to strengthen the practical difficulty,to identify <br /> other solutions, or to have another Planning Commission present to break the tie. <br /> Knutson stated he can list the practical difficulties. Knutson stated due to the pond,they cannot build <br /> close to that; they cannot build by the septic or the sewer; and the land drops off in three different areas, <br /> which is why the existing garage was placed there to begin with. <br /> Knutson stated he respects what the Planning Commissioners are saying and that he is trying to make it <br /> work the best he can. Knutson noted he would have to take out the trees screening the other house to <br /> place it in the other area. Knutson stated he could perhaps shorten it up but that he is not sure he can tell <br /> the Planning Commission anything more. Knutson noted he if brings it forward, he is concerned about <br /> the well and that he is not sure how close he can be to that. <br /> Schoenzeit indicated he would be willing to make a motion tabling the application. <br /> Barnhart stated if it is critical that the application be moved forward,the Planning Commission should <br /> recommend denial or approval outlining the issues or comments but that they should make a decision <br /> based on their review of the application. <br /> Thiesse stated he is denying it because there appears to be room for a building of the same size but <br /> configured differently and that he would like it investigated further. <br /> Lemke commented the structure might not be the exact same size or exact same square footage but that <br /> something smaller could work. <br /> Schoenzeit commented he does not find three acres to be a hardship. <br /> Page 26 of 32 <br />