04-09-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. 5. LA18-000016 DALE GUSTAFSON,1370 CHERRY PLACE, VARIANCES, 7:18 P.M. — 7:35 P.M. Dale Gustafson, Applicant, was present. Oakden stated the applicant has submitted an application to add retaining walls and landscaping to the shoreline of the property located at 1370 Cherry Place. The property abuts Lake Minnetonka and has a slope along the shoreline. There are currently stairs leading down the slope creating access to the lake. These stairs would be removed as part of the project and new stairs would be constructed. There is also an existing boathouse the applicant is proposing to retain. Retaining walls are not permitted within 75 feet of the lake. As a result, the applicant is requesting a setback and hardcover variance. The applicant proposes to build new stairs to the lake around the boathouse and add retaining walls to support the slope. The plan includes multiple retaining walls running along the stairs and running along the slope. Oakden illustrated the location of the existing stairs and the proposed retaining walls. The applicant is proposing 17.9 percent hardcover in the lake yard. To date one comment against building in the lake yard in general has been received. The Planning Commission should discuss whether the applicant has met the standards for a practical difficulty to warrant a variance and whether the applicant has made an attempt to meet the City standards for stair access to the lake. Staff is recommending approval of the project, with screening of all the retaining walls be required to preserve the natural look of the shoreline when viewed from the lake. Schoenzeit asked whether there are any elevation drawings. Oakden stated there are no cross-sections of the plans but that essentially the applicant is looking to install stairs that would be embedded into the slope. The retaining walls are being requested to hold back earth. Schoenzeit asked if the retaining walls exceed four feet. Oakden stated the elevations vary but none of the rocks will exceed four feet.