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LA22-000038 July 18, 2022 Page 3 of 4 additional retaining wall structure within the 75-foot lake setback will help to maintain the existing slope and character of the area. Additionally City Code 78-123 provides additional parameters within which a variance may be granted as follows: 4. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties. Economic considerations have not been a factor in the variance approval determination. 5. Practical difficulties also include but are not limited to inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minn. Stat. § 216C.06, subd. 17, when in harmony with Orono City Code Chapter 78. This condition is not applicable. 6. The board or the council may not permit as a variance any use that is not permitted under Orono City Code Chapter 78 for property in the zone where the affected person's land is located. This condition is not applicable, as residential improvements are permitted to support a residential use in the LR-1B District. 7. The board or council may permit as a variance the temporary use of a one-family dwelling as a two-family dwelling. This condition is not applicable. 8. The special conditions applying to the structure or land in question are peculiar to such property or immediately adjoining property. The slope of the property combined with the pre-existing improvements are unique conditions affecting the subject property. 9. The conditions do not apply generally to other land or structures in the district in which the land is located. The property’s slope instability combined with the existing improvements create conditions which do not apply to adjacent properties. 10. The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant. Granting a lake setback variance to allow the retaining walls within the 75-foot lake setback is reasonable and necessary to preserve the property rights of the owner and supported by the vulnerable lake yard slope on the property. 11. The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. Granting the lakeyard setback variance allowing the retaining walls within the 75-foot lake setback will not adversely impact health, safety, comfort or morals, or in any way be contrary to the ordinances. 12. The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to alleviate demonstrable difficulty. The proposed wall repairs within the the lakeyard will preserve the integrity of the slope and there are no conforming locations for the retaining walls which would protect the slope. Preserving the existing wall is necessary for the protection of the slope and the lake. The Commission may recommend or Council may impose conditions in granting of variances. Any conditions imposed must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the impact created by the variance. No variance shall be granted or changed beyond the use permitted in this chapter in the district where such land is located. Engineer Comments: a. This Application: The applicant has provided a letter from a licensed engineer, Ronald Vickery, with the assessment that a slope failure is imminent. Further the same engineer has provided a plan for stabilizing the slope using retaining wall in front of the failing existing walls and installing soil anchors. I believe the proposed fix does address the potential slope failure. In