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Planning commission approves lakeshore deck variance for 2565 Dunwoody Avenue
Summary
The Orono City Planning Commission approved a variance allowing a modest reconfiguration and squaring of a lakeside deck at 2565 Dunwoody Avenue, finding the change reduces existing encroachment and will not materially affect neighbors' lake views.
The Orono City Planning Commission voted June 16 to approve an average lakeshore setback variance for the property at 2565 Dunwoody Avenue, allowing the owners to reconstruct and slightly reconfigure a lakeside deck.
Staff planner Miss Curtis told the commission the proposal is prompted by site constraints and the orientation of neighboring homes and that staff "finds that the property's alignment with neighbors and orientation to the lake do create difficulties" supporting a variance. Curtis recommended approval, saying the proposed minimal expansion "does not appear to impact views of the lake from either neighboring property," and noted staff had received no public comment opposing the request.
Applicant representative John Daly described the project as a net reduction of lakeshore encroachment in some areas and as an aesthetic simplification: "All we're really doing is straightening out the line of the deck and add[ing] this post," Daly said, adding the existing deck (including a former hot tub area) will be removed and replaced with a more functional layout.
Commission discussion focused on whether the change would impair neighbors' views; Chair Boles and several commissioners said they agreed with staff that the redesign would not materially alter the neighborhood character. With no members of the public speaking, Commissioner Wilson made the motion to approve as applied and the commission carried the motion by voice vote.
The approval grants the variance as presented; no conditions beyond those in the application packet were announced. The decision will be reflected in file LA 25-33 for the Ruzenko property, 2565 Dunwoody Avenue.
