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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,July 18,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> City Planner Oakden gave a presentation on the item,noting the Applicant has requested a variance to <br /> construct a new retaining wall with a minor footprint expansion within the lakeyard setback.The property <br /> has an existing timber retaining wall which has been deemed as failing.Pursuant to City Code 78- <br /> 1726(6),an emergency slope repair request was approved at the City Council on June 27,2022 as the <br /> Applicant and an engineer showed that failure of the wall was an imminent threat to the slope. The <br /> Applicant has proposed to construct a new retaining wall directly in front of the existing retaining wall <br /> which is one foot wide and directionally bore anchors through the existing wall to hold it in place.The <br /> existing wall will stay in place with a new wall built directly in front of it.The repair creates a new <br /> footprint expansion within the 75 foot lakeyard.The engineer provided drawings and an analysis stating a <br /> slope failure is imminent without this proposed project. The Applicant was issued a building permit on <br /> July 7 and the project is shown to cross the property boundary onto 1366 Rest Point Circle;the owners of <br /> 1366 Rest Point Circle provided an email stating approval for the work that crosses the property <br /> boundary. Staff finds the existing condition of the retaining wall,the hill,and the slope with imminent <br /> failure are practical difficulties which support this variance request. Staff would like to hear comment on <br /> screening of those walls to protect the natural vegetative view if possible. <br /> Denny Walsh, 1354 Rest Point Circle,noted the retaining wall is 6-7 feet tall and 12 feet wide that is 40- <br /> 50 year old timbers that are failing. The hill has shifted so the wall looks"pregnant"and they cannot take <br /> it down or the hill will fall down. Therefore they must build a wall in front of the wall infilled with sand, <br /> rock, and anchors to keep the hill intact. <br /> Chair McCutcheon opened the public hearing at 6:39 p.m. There were no public comments. <br /> Chair McCutcheon closed the public hearing at 6:39 p.m. <br /> The Commissioners discussed the item. <br /> Libby noted he is not a structural engineer but is very familiar with this methodology of reinforcing walls. <br /> He has had clients with similar circumstances on Eagle Bluff and this method is very practical and <br /> minimizes the movement or potential encroachment into the lakeshore. He is in favor of this application. <br /> Kirchner is also in favor,noting one is allowed to maintain a wall that is existing an in place. He thinks it <br /> is incumbent for the Commissioners to note that 40 years later engineering and technology has evolved <br /> and changed and this is,in a way,maintenance of the wall that is there.He does not think it is egregious <br /> in any way. <br /> Chair McCutcheon agrees,with the wall bowing already it needs to be done and this seems to be a <br /> conservative approach. <br /> Ressler noted once the lakeshore is gone one cannot put it back. It is best to get ahead of it.He is in <br /> support of the application. <br /> Libby moved,Erickson seconded,to approve LA22-000038, 1354 Rest Point Circle Variance. <br /> VOTE: Ayes: 6,Nays 0. <br /> OTHER BUSINESS—Update on July 11,2022 City Council Meeting <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br />