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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 /> be hidden behind vegetative screening when viewed from the lake. The installation of the retaining wall <br /> will help support the slope and, combined with the geo block and vegetation,the pathway should help <br /> improve water quality and prevent further erosion from the site. <br /> Staff finds the request for a conditional use permit permitting construction of the retaining wall, the <br /> pathway repair,reinforcement and restoration within the 75-foot zone appears to be reasonable. The <br /> retaining wall and planting plan will offer a natural looking shoreline from the lake. Staff is also <br /> supportive of the hardcover variance allowing the new stair and retaining wall proposed to be constructed. <br /> The City Engineer has reviewed the plans and no significant concerns were identified. <br /> Planning Staff recommends approval according to the submitted plans provided the work is completed in <br /> compliance with the City Engineer's recommendations. <br /> Landgraver asked if the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has reviewed this application. <br /> Curtis indicated they have and that they are generally supportive of the application. Curtis stated <br /> questions regarding any discussions with the Watershed District should be directed to the applicant. A <br /> formal application has not been submitted to the Watershed District at this time but one will be required <br /> before the work is commenced. <br /> Elizabeth Sedgwick,Bechler Landscape, stated Staff has done a good job of covering the details of what <br /> they are proposing. Sedgwick stated their company has been in business for close to 35 years and that <br /> they are very cognizant of all the issues that involve complex projects such as this. Sedgwick indicated <br /> their business is reliant on word of mouth rather than formal advertising. <br /> Sedgwick stated she would like to read her letter she sent to Melanie Curtis prior to their pre-application <br /> meeting. The project description for this permit application is for two installations,both in close <br /> proximity to the existing boathouse that sits above the 100-year floodplain elevation. <br /> The first portion of the project involves replacement of the existing natural stone stairway. The existing <br /> stone staircase transcending the slope along the boathouse foundation is constructed out of limestone, <br /> which has deteriorated over the years and has been silting down the slope, coming to rest in shard like <br /> piles at the base o the slope where the 100-year floodplain delineation resides. <br /> Sedgwick stated she has had a discussion with Brandon Wisner of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed <br /> District regarding this project and that she does have copies of the letter he provided based on that <br /> conversation. Even though the fissuring and silting of this particular area is not part of the Watershed <br /> District's jurisdiction,Mr.Wisner has indicated they are supportive of the work to stop the continual <br /> erosion. The plan involves removal of the existing failed natural limestone steps and then installing <br /> natural, dark gray granite stone steps to replace the existing stairway. The granite provides a nice tread <br /> for walkers and the dark gray will blend in and be disguised from the lake. Sedgwick stated throughout <br /> this process,they intend to comply with the City of Orono, DNR and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed <br /> District's requirements. <br /> As it relates to the retaining wall,the purpose is to preserve the same beachfront slope which has been <br /> deteriorating. The wall will be constructed out of the same dark gray granite, with plantings above and • <br /> below it to disguise it from passing boats. The proposed wall would be just under four feet high and <br /> Page 6 of 19 <br />