Laserfiche WebLink
   <br />   <br />  <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />February 24, 2023 <br />(Revised March 6, 2023) <br /> <br /> <br />Josh Prust <br />Valdes Lawn Care & Snow Removal <br />Submitted by email: jprust@valdeslawn.com <br /> <br /> <br />RE: Timber Retaining Wall – Variance Review Comments <br />Project Location: 2815 Casco Point Road, Orono, Minnesota <br /> Project No. 22-6589 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Prust: <br />At your request, this letter is being provided to address several comments and questions that came out of <br />the recent City of Orono Planning Commission meeting regarding the recently constructed timber <br />retaining walls at the above property. Revisions in this letter include clarifications to my conclusions and <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />The comments and questions relevant to my role in this project are as follows: <br />A. Your engineer should provide an opinion regarding the overall added width of the walls. The <br />opinion should address whether or not the additional width beyond the previously existing <br />walls is necessary to maintain stability of the slope, or can they be reduced? <br /> <br />B. Additionally, based on the conversation last night, I recommend that your engineer provide an <br />opinion on the two options for the top of the slope, adding the 7th wall, or increasing the <br />height of the 6th wall. <br /> <br />Regarding the first question about the additional length of wall that was added to the previously existing <br />walls, it is my professional opinion that the additional wall length added was necessary to maintain the <br />stability of the slope. <br />- Based on photos you provided of conditions present prior to the construction of the new <br />tiered timber wall system, there was already significant, on-going erosion and surface water <br />control issues on the adjacent properties. <br />- Numerous trees had exposed roots and the slope had areas of exposed soil. <br />- The decision by your company to increase the length of the walls have improved surface <br />water control and soil retention when compared to the previous walls. <br />- Once completed (i.e. walls finished and erosion control established), the new construction will <br />also have improved the grading along the adjacent property lines. <br />- The walls as they were designed and as they appear to have been built have a significant <br />design components to them. They are engineered to industry design standards and <br />incorporate the necessary tiebacks and deadmen for which extensive excavation is required. <br /> <br />For the second question about the options of adding a 7th wall versus increasing the height of the 6th wall, <br />it is my professional opinion that either option would be feasible and beneficial. <br />- The addition of a 7th wall was approved through an emergency repair exception by the City of <br />Orono on November 28, 2022. <br />- The emergency repair work was not able to be completed due to heavy snowfall and frozen <br />ground.