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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,March 20,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Besseson stated they can tear the house down but that they would rather not do that and that they are <br /> attempting to come up with an alternative to make it work. Besseson stated they cannot go forward until <br /> they get some direction on this. <br /> Neil Weber,Architect,stated when they started out with this project,they felt they had enough lineal feet <br /> of shoreland. Weber stated they interpreted it as the actual footage instead of a straight line but that they <br /> would still have enough lineal footage. Weber stated the only reasonable place to construct a house to <br /> meet the criteria would be in this upper area,which is not the best use of the lot. Weber stated they were <br /> basically attempting to place the house in a more ideal location so there would be a view of the lake. <br /> Weber stated they then went to Mark Gronberg and he indicated they need 140 feet at the shore and at the <br /> setback line. Weber stated they had an option of the 140 feet in both areas with the need for a side <br /> setback variance or an option where it met the 10-foot side setback but does not have the required width. <br /> Weber stated as far as they are concerned,either option works. <br /> Weber noted this area is not a bluff and that Staff agrees with their interpretation. Weber stated without <br /> changing the topography,the house will need to be located significantly behind the setback due to the <br /> grade,and no matter how the line is configured,the house will need to be further back. Weber stated to <br /> his understanding somebody from the City came and verified that the proposed access onto the road was <br /> acceptable. Weber noted they probably would not be able to have access onto County Road 19. <br /> Weber stated the bottom line is,no matter how the lines end up being configured,they will end up with <br /> the same site plan. Weber stated they felt the 140 feet at the building line was the logical interpretation, <br /> which is what their plan is based on. Weber stated no matter how it ends up,the proposed location for the <br /> house is the logical site. Weber stated they are not creating a new lot but that they are trying to rearrange <br /> the lines so they can get the best use of the site and take advantage of the view. <br /> Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 8:25 p.m. <br /> Schoenzeit stated when the City's interpretation of the definition is subject to a different interpretation, <br /> the tie goes to the runner. <br /> Thiesse stated the definition is pretty straight forward and there really is no other way to interpret it. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the other piece is that the City has also pre-identified the average lakeshore setback and <br /> building site. The lot line rearrangement helps determine the building pad. Schoenzeit stated his <br /> assumption that these lots are sewered and that they will not need to find a septic spot. Schoenzeit stated <br /> if someone can steer where the house goes and it is behind either of the lines that are in discussion,the <br /> City should find a way to make this work. <br /> Landgraver stated he tends to agree with Commissioner Schoenzeit. <br /> Leskinen stated the issue from her perspective is not about where the house is being placed but the fact <br /> that they are rearranging the lot lines,which requires them to create two conforming lots. Leskinen stated <br /> if it does not meet the City's requirements, it would be a nonconforming lot,which historically has not <br /> been allowed. <br /> Page 20 of 43 <br />