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Commission approves consolidation of accessory buildings at 1100 Milston Road
Summary
The commission approved LA 26-7, allowing Allied Construction/owner Barbara Burwell to consolidate multiple oversized accessory buildings into a new roughly 11,000 sq ft structure on a 12.7-acre property; staff recommended approval, noting the site’s size and reduced visual clutter.
The Orono Planning Commission voted to approve a variance (LA 26-7) that will allow the consolidation of several oversized accessory buildings at 1100 Milston Road into a proposed new 11,000 square-foot structure. Ms. Curtis, presenting staff findings, said the property is approximately 12.7 acres and currently contains multiple accessory buildings, four of which exceed 1,000 square feet. She summarized the request: "The applicant proposes to construct a new 11,000 square foot accessory building to replace 3 of the existing OABs," and said staff was recommending approval as applied.
Owner Barbara Burwell spoke at length about the condition of the existing buildings, hail damage and the need to shelter equipment, saying the buildings are in serious disrepair: "All of these buildings need to be raised." Burwell also told commissioners she has no plans to subdivide: "I have no plans on subdividing anything." Applicant Rob Wilson said he was present to answer questions but had no additions.
Commissioners probed whether approval could lead to future subdivision that would make a large accessory building out of scale. Ms. Curtis explained the variance would be "specific to the site as it exists today" and that any future subdivision would trigger its own review and potential variances. Commissioners also discussed precedent and suggested revisiting code language for large lots. After discussion, a motion to approve LA 26-7 as submitted was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The approved variance allows consolidation of multiple older accessory structures into one larger, L-configured building that staff said would reduce visual clutter and be sited to limit off-site visibility. Staff noted the potential to include conditions addressing future subdivision if the commission so chooses in future cases.
