Laserfiche WebLink
8.The City Engineer reported that in his opinion the wall is necessary to stabilize the <br />slope. Removing the wall and regrading to the natural elevation may not prevent <br />erosion. A wall is necessary to minimize the risk of further erosion, and <br />replacement of the boulder wall with some other type of retaining wall requiring <br />additional excavation of the lakeshore bank likely would result in further loss of <br />vegetation on the slope. <br />9.In order to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan requirement for screening <br />as noted above, new plantings would be appropriate between the wall and the <br />shoreline. The relatively low (3'-4') height of the wall in relation to the wooded <br />lakeshore bank behind and above it, coupled with the 8' wide terrace between the <br />wall and tiie rip-rapped shoreline, will allow for the establishment of vegetation to <br />adequately screen the wall in a manner that will make it significantly less visible <br />as viewed from the lake. <br />10. The City Council fmds that the conditions existing on this property are peculiar to <br />it and do not apply generally to other property in this zoning district; that granting <br />of the after-the-fact variances to permit a retaining wall within 75 feet of the <br />lakeshore and the grading work associated with it is necessary to prevent further <br />erosion along the lakeshore, and is justified because there are no other reasonable <br />alternative erosion control methods; that granting of the variances would not <br />adversely affect traffic conditions, light, air nor pose a fire hazard or other danger <br />to neighboring property, and would not merely serve as a convenience to the <br />applicant, but is necessary to alleviate a demonstrable hardship or difficulty; that <br />granting of the variances is necessary to preserve a substantial property right of the <br />applicant; and would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Code <br />and Comprehensive Plan of the City. <br />11. The City Council has considered this application including the findings and <br />recommendations of the Planning Commission, reports by City staff, comments by <br />the applicant and the effect of the proposed variance on the health, safety and <br />welfare of the community. <br />Page 4 of 7