Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,September 19,2022 <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 Chris Bollis,Dennis Libby,Jon Ressler,Bob Erickson,and <br /> Alternates Dave Peterson and Gary Kraemer. Commissioner Matt Gettman was absent.Representing <br /> Staff were Community Development Director Laura Oakden and City Planner Melanie Curtis. <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 7,Nays 0. <br /> APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15,2022 <br /> Kirchner moved,Kraemer seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission <br /> meeting of August 15,2022.VOTE:Ayes 7,Nays 0. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> 1. LA22-000036 SCOTT GATES,2815 CASCO POINT ROAD,REQUESTS HARDCOVER, <br /> AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK,AND SIDE YARD SETBACK VARIANCES TO <br /> PERMIT A LAKESIDE DECK AND ROOF CHANGES.(STAFF: MELANIE CURTIS) <br /> Scott Gates,on behalf of the Applicant,was present. <br /> Staff gave a summary presentation of the item. Curtis stated the owners purchased the property in April <br /> 2022 and have planned improvements to the home.They have recently applied for a permit to construct a <br /> garage addition to the rear of the home,meeting the setbacks.The garage addition project reflects changes <br /> to the site which bring the existing hardcover level down from 31.1%to a conforming 25%.Regarding <br /> practical difficulty, Staff finds there are difficulties in the location of the existing home which may <br /> support the variances for the change in the rooflines. Staff may be able to support he average lakeshore <br /> setback variance for the change in the lakeside roof mass as long as the change does not adversely impact <br /> views of the lake from the neighboring homes.The average lakeshore setback request pertaining to the <br /> new deck cannot be supported.As proposed,the elevated deck and railing appear to impact the lake views <br /> for the adjacent neighbor(s).A grade-level deck or on-grade patio(<42 inches from existing grade)can <br /> be constructed in the same location.Regarding the requested hardcover variance,the application for <br /> building permit demonstrates that a level of 25%hardcover is achievable and therefore staff does not find <br /> practical difficulty supporting a hardcover variance.The existing home is located between 4.8—7.5 feet <br /> from the west side lot line. The changes proposed to the roof structure from a hip roof on the street and <br /> lake sides to gable ends will also increase the mass of the home encroaching within the average lakeshore <br /> setback.Curtis spoke about public comments noting most of the comments do not overly support the <br /> project.Based on the plans Staff was unable to fully evaluate the existing and proposed massing <br /> increases/changes to the roof. Staff recommends the Applicant redesign the plans to limit or eliminate <br /> variances. Regarding the variances requested to permit the new lakeside deck Staff finds that the project <br /> should be adjusted to accommodate the additional hardcover to stay within 25%.Planning Staff <br /> recommends denial of the average lakeshore setback variance and hardcover variance relating to the deck. <br /> Page 1 of 9 <br />