05-15-2017 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday,April 17,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. many lots there are,he does not believe there is any way that the existing house will be behind the average setback line. Gaffron indicated it would have to be pushed back if it is rebuilt in order to meet the setback to the lake unless some special arrangements are made now. Thiesse stated he would like to see the same footprint on all the homes and that he would like the house to be out of the 75-foot setback. Thiesse stated because this is a peninsula,to his knowledge the City has been a little more lenient on the average lakeshore setback,but that he would like it out of the 75-foot area. Lemke noted if they rebuild in kind,it can be rebuilt in exactly the same location. Gaffron stated it is very unlikely that someone will rebuild that house in kind to the extent in kind means the same shape, the same rooflines, etc. Thiesse stated if a house on any lot is built,that house could establish the setback and not the building pad where the existing house is. Thiesse asked how the Planning Commission feels about the lot width variance. Leskinen stated she does not see a compelling reason to create a nonconforming lot,especially since the City historically has not done that. Thiesse noted there is no practical difficulty. Landgraver stated the house will be pretty far back on the bluff and that this is a way of securing visibility for Lot 1. Landgraver concurred that there is not a strong argument for creating a nonconforming lot and that Lot 2 also has a number of constraints. Thiesse stated it is difficult to come up with a practical difficulty for the variance since there is adequate space. Thiesse stated in his view they should be measuring from where the house is rather than at the shoreline but that is not what the ordinance says. Page 9 of 72