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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> January 17,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair Mark McCutcheon,Commissioners Dennis Libby,Jon Ressler and Bob Erickson. Commissioners <br /> Matt Gettman, Scott Kirchner and Chris Bollis were absent. Representing Staff were Community <br /> Development Director Laura Oakden, City Planner Melanie Curtis,and City Planner Natalie Nye. <br /> Chair McCutcheon called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> APPROVAL OF AGENDA <br /> Libby moved,Ressler seconded,to approve the Agenda.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 21,2022 <br /> Erickson moved,Libby seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission <br /> meeting of November 21,2022 as corrected to show Commissioner Scott Kirchner was not present. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> 1. LA22-000065 LESLIE OARE,2967 CASCO POINT ROAD,REQUESTS VARIANCES <br /> FROM THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. <br /> City Planner Curtis gave a presentation on the item, stating the applicants,along with their neighbors the <br /> Abbotts at 2941 Casco Point Road recently purchased the property situated between their lots at 2965 <br /> Casco Point Road. This middle property is formerly the Swenson property. The applicants hope to split <br /> the property and combine each portion with their lots. They also plan on keeping the existing home and <br /> detached garage on their respective halves of the property. She said the administrative boundary line <br /> adjustment can be completed by staff and recorded by the owner to combine and move the lot lines. The <br /> City Council approved hardcover variances facilitating this split and combination in November. The <br /> Abbotts will acquire the Swenson detached garage. The Oares will acquire the Swenson home. They wish <br /> to maintain the full functionality of the existing Swenson home to serve as an accessory dwelling unit <br /> under the ordinance that was adopted by the council in November. A minimum lot area of one acre is <br /> required in order to qualify. Once their lot combination is complete,the Oares' property will be about <br /> three quarters of an acre. The ADU performance standards require the principle building and ADU to <br /> share utilities. Because the Swenson home was a separate and independent property it is served <br /> separately. The Oares are requesting variances from the performance standards for the utility connections <br /> and lot area to permit this home to be used as an ADU on their property. The applicants have identified <br /> the existing conditions and the elimination of a separate non-conforming lot as practical difficulties <br /> supporting the variances. Staff finds the elimination of a non-conforming lot is a positive improvement <br /> from the lot size and average lakeshore setback perspectives, as well as the overall reduction of hardcover <br /> proposed between the three properties. Although the Swenson home is an existing condition, staff does <br /> not find practical difficulties exist which support the requested variances from the newly adopted <br /> regulations to permit an ADU. The applicants are legally able to use the Swenson home as an accessory <br /> building with plumbing, but not for dwelling overnight use.No comments from the public had been <br /> Page 1of13 <br />