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Planning commission approves variances for property at 1335 Briar Street
Summary
The Orono Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of multiple variances for William Anderson’s property at 1335 Briar Street, finding practical difficulties created by a substandard lot and noting improvements to setbacks and hardcover percentages.
The Orono Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of multiple variances requested by William Anderson for a property at 1335 Briar Street.
Miss Curtis, planning staff, said the application seeks front-, rear-, side- and side-street setback variances, a hardcover variance and a reduction in building-to-building separation to allow construction of a new front stoop and a detached garage on a lot in the RR1B district. Staff reported the lot is “substantially encumbered by the RR1B district setbacks” and noted neighbors’ concerns about trees and drainage; staff recommended approval if the commission accepted the practical‑difficulty findings and stressed careful construction oversight and later reviews by the building official and city engineer.
Applicant William Anderson told the commission he lives at 1335 Briar Street and was available for questions. Commissioner Ressler summarized the application’s gains, noting the proposal improves several setbacks and reduces hardcover from 42.5% to 39.3%. Ressler said, “for that reason, fundamentally, I’d be in support,” and several other commissioners voiced agreement.
After discussion the commission made a motion to approve the application as applied; the motion carried by voice vote. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the city council.
The commission’s staff report and the applicant’s submitted practical‑difficulties documentation remain part of the public record and will be used during plan review and permitting.
