09-19-2022 Planning Commission Packet

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Byrne Comments To the City of Orono, 2817 Casco Pt Rd As the owner of the property located at 2817 Casco Point Road, I am writing you in regards to the application for variances proposed for the adjacent property at 2815 Casco Point Road. I have spoken with the new owner of the subject property, Lisa Thostenson, who sent me some dimensionless drawings of the building plans. At that time, I expressed support for removing the old two-car garage located next to the street. Upon further investigation into the specifics of the application for variances, I have a concern with the requested Hardcover variance relative to the average setback from the lake. Stormwater management is particularly important for us and for our area neighbors located on a 25-foot-high bluff overlooking Lake Minnetonka. I have found that the deeper soil structure here in this area contains layers of clay. The clay reduces the speed at which stormwater can diffuse down through the soil and away from the surface. This leads to flooding of our basements and more importantly,has likely contributed to several catastrophic landslides of our bluff over the last 35 years. These slides destroy structures, docks and boats located near the shoreline as they permanently reshape the bluff. The requested hardcover variance is of particular concern because the proposed property modifications increase the hardcover located toward the bluff. The planned outdoor living space located along the lakeside edge of the house is only 60 feet back from the bluff. It would tend to focus more stormwater toward the bluff and toward my property, which is at a lower elevation. • The extent of this focusing effect would be specific to the particular design of this outdoor living space,which is not completely clear in the drawings I have viewed. The elevation contours in the land survey indicate no attempt to prevent stormwater from flowing into my property. In fact,the survey indicates the intention to remove the"Wood Landscape Border" at the southeast edge between our properties. These railroad ties currently form a retaining wall that channels stormwater to a drain located at that corner where the water is piped down to the shoreline. I would request that the outdoor living space design, as well as the yard elevation contours be modified in such a way as to minimize the potential for any added stormwater to flow toward the bluff or onto my property. I would appreciate your consideration of this concern. Wesley C. Byrne Owner of 2817 Casco Point Road •