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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 21,2014 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Lemke asked if Commissioner Thiesse noticed a high degree of erosion when he visited the site. <br /> Thiesse stated the photographs show some erosion. Thiesse noted a portion of the gravel road slopes <br /> drastically toward the lake. <br /> Leskinen stated it appears they could accomplish the same thing without the extra hardcover created by <br /> the wall. Leskinen stated Commissioner Thiesse has brought up some valid points. <br /> McGrann asked if a similar situation has presented itself in the last few years where hardcover was <br /> allowed to correct the problem. <br /> Thiesse stated the Planning Commission has allowed hardcover in the 0-75 foot zone previously. <br /> Curtis stated each lot is very specific to itself and that she would not necessarily compare something that <br /> was done on another property with this property. Curtis stated the applicant is proposing to accommodate <br /> access to the lake in conjunction with a wall. Curtis stated the City has seen a number of small retaining <br /> walls in conjunction with stairs proposed in the last few years. <br /> McGrann stated he cannot remember if they were more need based due to erosion or whether they were <br /> simply to provide access to the lake. <br /> Curtis stated the issue with stair installations is that it results in something that sits at grade. While the <br /> stairs can be somewhat screened from the lake,they tend to be very visible even if they are jogged with <br /> landings. Curtis stated Staff typically finds that the area beneath the stairs erodes. <br /> Thiesse stated the proposal is a good solution for the lower portion of the slope but that in his view more <br /> consideration has to be given to the area above the wall before this goes to the City Council. <br /> Curtis asked if a detailed planting plan would be helpful. <br /> Landgraver stated he is leaning towards asking for that. Landgraver noted the applicant is saying that <br /> vegetation will deter erosion but that he has a hard time approving it without a planting plan. Landgraver <br /> stated he knows a wall would slow the erosion down. <br /> Schoenzeit stated more details are required for use of the geo grid mesh and the soil stabilization up the <br /> path. <br /> Sedgwick stated this wall will not require geo grid. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the upper part of the slope will require it. Schoenzeit stated the Planning Commission <br /> is discussing whether the entire slope should have geo grid, which would then eliminate the need for the <br /> wall. <br /> Sedgwick indicated she was confused by what he meant by the term geo grid and that in her mind geo <br /> grid is an engineered fabric that is used to prevent hydraulic pressure from blowing the face of retaining <br /> walls out and is not used to stabilize soil. Sedgwick indicated photodegradable mesh comes in erosion <br /> control blankets, straw blankets, and is not thick and interwoven. Sedwick stated geo mesh is usually a <br /> clear netting type of plastic that holds the slope. <br /> Page 13 of 19 <br />