06-21-1999 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO:Chair Hawn and Orono Planning Commission Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator FROM:Paul Weinberger, Assistant Zoning Administrator DATE:May 10,1999 SUBJECT: #2492 Rick and Gail Luzaich 2490 Old Beach Road After the Fact Variances and Conditional Use Permit—Public Hearing Zoning District: LR* 1B One Family Lakeshore Residential District (1 Acre) Lot Area:55,215 square feet (1.27 acre) Application: The applicants request variance and conditional use permit approvals for lakeshore land alteration including grading and construction of retaining w^ls within 75' of the lakeshore and within a bluff impact zone; and further request after-the-fact approval, including approval of a restoration plan, for intensive vegetation removal within 75' of the shoreline and within u bluff impact zone. In early spring the property owners removed about twenty mature trees within both the 75' lakeshore setback, where no vegetation removal is allowed, and within the bluff impact zone. The applicants have provided a restoration plan that includes a series of retaining walls that will protect bluff from erosion and provide planting areas. A number of perennial plantings and small trees are proposed in the plan which will be located on the hillside between the retaining walls. Most of the vegetation located on the interior of the lot will be shrubs. The property edges will be lined with a series of Techny Arborviteas. The landscaping plan has not addressed the restoration of the type of trees removed or the restoration of trees on the interior of the property. The type of restoration proposed is not consistent with the surrounding properties nor is it consistent with what had existed on the property prior to removal. Basswoods, maples and oaks make up the shoreline and bluff regions along this portion of the lake. The applicant's landscape plan does not propose any natural tree replacement. The Comprehensive Plan addresses the issue of maintianing a natural appearance along lakeshore properties. The Plan states minimum green belts will be provided with prohibitations against clearcutting or excessive thinning of vegetation. Natural vegetation will be preserved on slopes. Retaining walls will be discouraged except when absolutely necessary to prevent erosion, in which case they will be screened with natural vegetation. Rick and Call Ltaatch 2490 Old Beach Road After the Fact Variances and Condlilonal Use Permit 5/17/99 Page !