10-16-2000 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

To: The City of Orono From: Gregg and Stephanie Larsen RE: 1380 Rest Point Road - Retaining Wall Replacement To Whom It May Concern: We are requesting a variance for work to be done within the 75’ set back from the water on Lake Minnetonka. Our property currently has three retaining walls on the slope down to the lakeshore. The upper two retaining walls each average two feet in height with an approximately two foot terrace between them. The third, :^nd closest wall to the lake is about four to five feet tall. All the walls are about 75 feet in lengtii. The :*.:ls are constructed of a combination of railroad ties, limestone rocks and fieldstones. All three retaining walls arc in very poor condition. They pose a safety hazard for people in the yard and, eventually, they will fail and collapse allowing the yard to wash into the lake. We also have a deteriorating set of stairs on the slope to the lake. We are proposing to replace the existing retaining walls and stairs on the property. Our plan includes using 24 ”-36 ” boulders to build the walls. This would create a more permanent remedy for the situation. The ne retaining walls would be safer, and more aesthetically pleasing. The new steps would be constructed of a natural material such as cedar timbers or granite slabs, depending on our budget. Our goal for both items, if possible, is to reduce the overall amount of retaining wall and step area that is currently on the property. We are proposing to combine the upper two walls in to one four-foot wall. The lower w all would remain in the three to four foot range. We also propose removing permanently approximately two-thirds of the original steps. The slope of the land on the top portion of the original steps is such that the steps are not necessary. In fact, we have already removed most of the unnecessary steps. These proposals will reduce the overall hardcover on the property Thank you for your time, Gregg and Stephanie Larsen B