02-20-2018 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 16, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Leskinen moved, Landgraver seconded, to recommend denial of Application No. 17-3983, Eric and Liz Vogstrom, 2618 Casco Point Road. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 3. #18-3992 REVOLUTION DESIGN BUILD ON BEHALF OF KEVIN AND PATTY KRETSCH, 3155 CASCO POINT ROAD, VARIANCE, 6:48 P.M. — 6:55 P.M. The applicant was not present. Oakden stated the applicant is requesting an average lakeshore setback variance for a new deck to encroach 11'6" into the setback. The applicant is currently constructing a new home on the property and are proposing a new deck for the home. The new deck will be shorter than the previous deck and slightly taller. The overall footprint of the new deck is less compared to the original deck. The existing deck encroached into the average lakeshore setback by roughly 17 feet. The taller height of the deck is what triggers the new encroachment. Because the new deck is not being built in the exact same location and is higher than the existing deck, the non -conforming protections do not apply. While the new deck will be slightly taller than the previous deck, it will have a smaller encroachment into the average lakeshore setback. The applicant has worked to mitigate the encroachment by proposing a deck that does not encroach as much compared to the previous deck. The deck will not interfere with the sightlines of the neighbors. Staff finds that there are demonstrable practical difficulties supporting the average lakeshore setback variance request. Oakden noted Staff received an email from an Orono resident who expressed concerns about the deck. Planning Staff recommends approval of the variance. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. There were no public comments relating to this application. Chair Thiesse continued the public hearing to February 12. Thiesse noted the two neighbors have submitted letters in support of the deck. Landgraver stated it is being moved further away from the lakeshore and that they are reducing hardcover in that area, he would be in favor of it. Leskinen agreed the applicant is reducing the encroachment going out and that the deck does not appear to be obstructing any views of the neighbors, which is the objective of the average lakeshore setback. Leskinen stated since it is not obstructing any views, she would be in favor of it. Lemke stated the glass railing is also less obtrusive than the current wood railing. Landgraver asked why this was not caught at the time the application was submitted for the retaining walls. Page 4 of 17