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Zoning File #1560 <br />August 17/ 1990 <br />Page 2 <br />which is showing some signs of surface erosion, but no slumping. <br />This bank does not appear to be in danger of a massive erosion <br />event. There is no question that placement of the two walls will <br />allow easier mowing of the short stretch of hill that is <br />currently maintained below the existing rock wall and sidewalk, <br />however, that is such a short stretch of slope that its <br />maintenance is certainly not impossible as“is. <br />From an aesthetic standpoint, the proposed walls will, even <br />when screened, change the visual character of the shoreline in <br />this location from a low grassy slope to a more intensive series <br />of artificial walls. The existing wooden and rock retaining <br />walls have absolutely no screening and to a certain degree <br />provide a hodge-podge effect from the lake. <br />City Engineer's Recommendation - <br />The City Engineer has reviewed the application and has made <br />the following comments: <br />1. Except at the easterly end of the proposed wall system, <br />there is no real structural necessity for the walls. <br />2. The flat terraces which would be created by the walls <br />would have some effect in providing better infiltration into <br />the soil of whatever run-off comes down the hill. <br />3. If the wall system is approved, the entire wall system <br />(both existing and new) should be screened with vegetation <br />to reduce their visual impact from the lake. <br />Staff Recommendation <br />Planning Commission would appear to have the following <br />options: <br />1. Approve the walls as proposed, finding that at the east <br />end some structural stabilization of the bank is necessary <br />and finding that the terraces created by the walls will have <br />a beneficial effect in enhancing run-off infiltration, <br />subject to screening all of the wall systems in the 0-75' <br />lakeshore area. <br />2. Approve a limited retaining wall system just in the <br />area to the east of the existing rock wall where some <br />structural stabilization is necessary. Such recommendation <br />could include a screening requirement. <br />3. Deny the walls in their entirety, finding that they are <br />generally for aesthetic reasons and perhaps direct <br />applicants to find an alternate method of stabilizing the <br />small area where some stabilization is necessary.