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TO:Planning Commission Members <br />Ron Moorse, City Administrator <br />FROM: Michael P. Gaffron, Asst. Planning & Zoning Administrator <br />DATE;April 12, 1994 <br />SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment - "Top of BlufP Definition - Public Hearing <br />List of Exhibits <br />A - ProfKJsed Ordinance <br />B - 3/29/94 Lener to DNR <br />C - Memo and Exhibits of 3/24/94 <br />This is a public hearing to consider a proposed amendment to the definition of "top ot blufi <br />The current definition is as follows: <br />"Top of the bluff means the higher point of a 50’ segment with an average slope <br />exceeding 18%. <br />The proposed definition is: <br />"Top of the bluff" means that point on the cross section of a bluff below which the slope <br />becomes more than 18% and above which the average slope for a distance of 50’ or <br />more is 18% or less. <br />The reasons and rationale for this proposed amendment are contained in the March 29, 1994 <br />letter to Ceil Strauss of the DNR, and in the memo and exhibits to Council of March 24, 1994. <br />Briefly, the definition of "top of bluff" is used foi determining the point at which bluff <br />protection setbacks are measured. The current definition can result in a setback of un to 70’-80 ’ <br />from what a rational person would consider the "top" or shoulder of the bluff. The DNR <br />suggested a "common sense definition" which staff rejects on the basis that it is quite subjective <br />and not defensible. <br />The prop<\'. a definition developed by staff uses 18% slope as the break point between land that <br />is blufi and that which is not a bluff. <br />Staff Recommendation <br />Please review uiC attached exhibits. Staff recommends approval of the proposed definition <br />amendment. <br />ch /