11-13-2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Any vegetation removal of trees that are within 75' of the lakeshore or in a bluffimpacl zone require a permit from the City. One large tree that was removed from the property \Nas hollowed out and likely would have qualified to receive a permit. A condition of permit approval may have been the property owners plant new vegetation in its place. The City did Issue a building permit to allow the property owner to complete the stairway and retaining wall replacement, with a condition the property owner apply for an after-the-fact variance and conditional use permit to permit the retaining wall replacement within 75' of the lakeshore. It is not clear how much e.xcavation was done to lower the stairway since the grading was completed before Staff was able to visit the site. Crews stated they did not lower the stairway into the hillside, except some e.xcavation was done to level the ground. I he concern of lowering the stairvsay into the hillside is the small retaining walls on each side of the stairway are then raised to accommodate the lower steps. An additional retaining wall was replaced along the lakeshore prior to the permit being issued. The photo attached os E.xhibit C was taken the day Staff was made aware of the work on the lakeshore. The photo indicates how much work was completed before a Stop Work Order was issued. The stairway to the lake is designed at an angle lliat will allow it to be screened from the lake views once natural vegetation has been restored and to follow the path taken by the previous stairway. The application requires review ’ of the follow ing variances: 1. Section 10.22, Subdivision I and Section 10.56, Subdivision 16 (L) (I) - Ao fuirJcover or Impervious surface shall be placed located or constructed within 75 feet of the Ordinary High Hater Level of any lake or tributary, except for stairuavs. lifts, latu ngs. and lockboxes 0-75' Lot Area = 3,523 s.f. Hardcover = 296 s.f. (8.4%) To permit 86 s.f of hardcover for the retaining wall rm replacement along the stairway. 2. Section 10.55. Subdivision 8 - Xo hardcover or structures are permitted within 75' of the lakeshore A Conditional Use Permit is required per Municipal Code Section 10.56, Subdivision 19 to replace the retaining wall. Conditional Use Permit review shall include landscaping plans that screen and break up the unnatural appearance of such structures. The intent is to maintain a natural appearance when viewed from the lake. In addition to approval of the voriance/CUP the property owner has requested approval of a restoration plan for the vegetation removed from the bluff line. Home Planning Associates, Inc. has submitted a planting schedule and plan that would include planting of 2 maple trees, 1 scotch pine, a crabapplc tree and several small bushes and plants. t0l-26<4M«Kktp Sodhi 40t0 D^l RMd 115/01 P<tc2of4