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Prepared By: LLO Reviewed By: Approved By: <br /> <br /> <br /> CITY OF ORONO MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: May 22, 2023 <br />TO: City Council Members <br />FROM: Community Development Director and City Engineer <br />RE: Retaining Wall Discussion Continued <br /> <br />1. Purpose Review the current retaining wall regulations and discuss possible text amendments. <br /> <br />2. Background. The City Council processes many retaining wall variances within the lakeshore <br />setback every year. The Council directed staff to bring additional informational regarding <br />retaining walls to explore if any amendments to the City Code are necessary. City Staff presented <br />information at the April 24, 2023 worksession that included general background information, <br />different types of walls, guidance from the Comprehensive Plan, DNR and other lake area <br />communities. The presentation is in included at Exhibit A. <br /> <br />Currently the City Code prohibits retaining walls within the lake shore setback. This presents <br />multiple challenges for residents who are working to repair or replace failing walls, address <br />erosion control issues and does not provide any guidance for best practices regarding, material, <br />methods or screening. Staff’s recommendation is to amend the City code to create an <br />administrative and conditional use permit process for allowing retaining walls within the <br />lakeyard with specific conditions. <br /> <br />• ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT (Staff-issued zoning permit) for retaining walls must meet <br />the following: <br /> Replacement Walls: Must be under 4 feet in height, have a documented failure of the <br />existing wall, and the replacement is in the same general location and height of the <br />existing wall. <br /> New Walls: Must be an integral part of an allowed lake yard accessory structure (e.g. <br />lake access stairs) <br />• CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT for any wall not meeting the administrative standards <br /> Demonstratable failure and/or erosion control problem; and/or <br /> Replacement walls 4-feet in height or greater; and/or <br /> Any walls proposed within the defined Bluff slope; and/or <br /> Any new wall proposed that is not part of a lake stair <br /> Additional conditions may be added as necessary by PC, Council, or Staff (e.g. access or <br />method of construction) <br /> <br />A retaining wall permit would require site plans, elevation plans, method of construction, and <br />vegetative screening of the walls from the lakeview. <br /> <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: <br />Provide guidance pertaining to retaining walls within the lakeshore setback.