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Prepared By: LLO Reviewed By: A. Carlson Approved By: <br />CITY OF ORONO MEMORANDUM <br />DATE: April 24, 2023 <br />TO: City Council Members <br />FROM: Community Development Director and City Engineer <br />RE: Retaining Wall Discussion <br />1.Purpose Review the current retaining wall regulations and discuss possible text amendments. <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 are necessary to the City Code. <br />Currently the City Code prohibits retaining walls within the lake shore setback. For Lake <br />Minnetonka that is within the 0-75’ setback. Walls can be replaced in-kind but no new walls or <br />expansions are permitted by the City Code. The presents extreme limitations when <br />reconstructing failing walls or addressing erosion control problems on a slope. Best practices for <br />wall construction and materials have changed over time which does not always fall within the in- <br />kind limitations allowed by the City Code. Often, this requires property owners to go through a <br />variance process to address the replacement of dilapidated or failing walls. <br />Staff will present background information regarding how retaining walls are construction and <br />policies from the Orono Comprehensive Plan, DNR and other lake area communities. <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: <br />Discussion and provide guidance to amend the City Code pertaining to retaining walls within the <br />lakeshore setback.