08-12-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, July 15, 2019 6:30 o'clock p.m. Eric Thompson, 1940 Concordia Street, stated he has lived across the street for the past 20 years and that Dale has a particularly difficult task on hand. If you visit the property, the slope is extremely steep and the dirt is soft. The previous property owner built a dock there and some stairs a few years ago, which collapsed some months later. Thompson indicated he also owns property on the Mississippi River and the whole entire embankment collapsed and it looks very similar to this. Thompson stated as he was listening to the Planning Commission and how the applicant really does not have a plan, he understands because he has been down that road before and that it is very hard to figure out what to do in a situation like this. There needs to be roots in the soil, and if they are going to start pounding footings in, the City will need a more detailed plan. Right now the slope is very unstable ground. Thompson recommended the Planning Commission decline this particular application and Dale should say to his contractor that they are going to revisit this once they get some answers to the type of growth that will be in there to help hold the soil before putting in other structures. The water and dirt are washing into the lake right now since it is really loose soil, and the best thing to do is to apply some pressure on his contractor to get a solid plan. Chair Ressler closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m. Libby stated he would agree with Staff's recommendation. Libby commented he is very familiar with this design and that he has seen it on a steeper grade. In 2017, that structure was 80 years old and is still standing. Libby stated in his view this is a practical design, and if the City Engineer is satisfied and the Conservation District reviews it and approves it, he would tend to be in favor of this since this is a long- term correction that is way overdue. Ressler stated the action plan underneath the ground is pretty detailed but the plan for above ground needs some more detail. Overall it appears to be very well thought out. McCutcheon commented he appreciates the neighbor's concerns and that he would again encourage the applicant to have his engineer provide as much detailed information as possible. When there are failure points, there should be some redundancies in place to help prevent future failures. If the desired information is provided to the City Engineer, he would not have a problem with the application. Ressler asked if the Watershed District will look at this. Curtis indicated they would not necessarily review the walls but that they would look at the riprap and floodplain. Staff is working with the Watershed District in parallel with this application. Any further information can be submitted with the building permit application. Erickson commented this is the second time tonight that they have had an applicant step up and go the extra mile to come up with a long-term solution. As a result, he would be happy to support the application.