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The Ciiy of Orono \siis niade aware of vegetation removal ami <br />replacement of a stairway and retaining wall on the lakeshorc side of the <br />property. The property owner had purchased the property in 2000 and <br />hired a contractor to replace the stairssay and retaining walls on the <br />hillside and to remove the vegetation. The applicant had stated the <br />vegetation removal was done primarily to remove poison ivy. It was also <br />determined at least two large and several small trees were removed. <br />The Shorcland Ordinance docs not permit “Intensive Vegetation Removal" <br />within 75 ’ of the shoreline, on steep slopes or within the bluff impact <br />zone. What would be allowed is limited clearing of shrubs and trees less <br />than 6 inehes in diameter and cutting, pruning and trimming of trees of <br />any size to provide a view to the water from the principal dwelling site <br />and to accommodate the placement of permitted stairways and landings <br />provided that the screening of structures as % icwcd from the water is not <br />substantially reduced (assuming summer leaf-on conditions). <br />Any vegetation removal of trees that are within 75 ’ of the lakeshorc or <br />in a bluff impact zone require a permit from the City. One large tree <br />tliat was removed from the properly wa.s hollowed out and likely would <br />have qualified to receive a permit. A condition of permit appro\aI may <br />have ^en the property owners plant new vegetation in its place <br />The City did issue a building permit to allow the property owner to <br />complete the stairway and retaining wnll replacement, with a condition <br />the property owner apply for an after-the-fact variance and conditional <br />U.SC permit to permit the retaining wall replacement within 75' of the <br />lakeshorc. <br />In addition to approval of the variancc/CUP the property owner has <br />requested approval of a restoration plan for the \egetation removed from <br />the bluff line. Ihe revised landscaping plan also includes maple trees <br />and an apple tree to be planted on the hillside. In addition to the trees <br />ivy would be planted on the lower retaining wall to ensure the long term <br />visibility of the wall is diminished, and other plantings are being added <br />as under growth on the property. <br />Page 2 of 7