02-20-1996 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STATE OF PHONE NO ^DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES METRO WATERS - 1200 WARNER ROAD, ST. PAUL, MN 5Sy(|„Q 772-7910 MAR 2 2 19* * March 20, 1995 Ms. Jeanne Mabusth City of Orono P.O. Box 66 Crystal Bay, Minnesota 55323 RE: MITCHELL VARIANCE APPLICATION (CITY #1997), LAKE MINNETONKA - BROWNS BAY (27-133-28), CITY OF ORONO, HENNEPIN COUNTY Dear Ms. Mabusth: I am responding to Bob Mitchell's March 14, 1995 letter (which you were copied on) and Mr. Mitchell's March 10, 1995 letter to the City Council. You and i discussed the original proposal for this site in a telephone conversation. At that time I noted that the existing nonconformities should be reduced. I specifically suggested that the house meet at least a 25 foot setback since it would then at least be out of the minimum "shore impact zone" required by the State. I also saw opportunities to replace portions of the existing gravel driveway area with a grass or vegetated strip. In addition, I agreed that some type of variance would be required to allow for a reasonable use of the property. After meeting with Mr. Bob Mitchell on 3/10/95 and learning more about the features of the site in question and neighboring properties, I can elaborate on my earlier verbal comments. The main DNR concern is that whatever the city approves involves an improvement over the existing situation and that the existing non conformities be reduced, i.e. that the house be set back more than the existing 17.5 feet and that the impervious surface be reduced. Since the city's structure setback requirement is 75 feet, the shore impact zone would be the area within 37.5 feet of the lake. Therefore, it is really the 37.5 foot setback that is at issue here rather than the State's 25 foot minimum. I agree that the house could not meet a 37.5 foot setback on this lot. While I prefer to see the house meet the State's 25 foot minimum setback (for lots of record that have adjoining lots with average setbacks of 25 feet or less), it is not essential since it is the city's shore impact zone of 37.5 feet that is the distance of concern. We will not object to a main lake setback that is increased to at least 20 to 25 feet, as long as the City Council finds that shifting the proposed house a few feet back towards the main lake would best meet the intent of the city's regulations. In particular, we understand that the main lake setback must be balanced with the lot line setback concerns and staying out of the floodplain. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER