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PROJECT NARRATIVE <br />This project proposes to replace an existing non-conforming deck structure and retaining wall system located within the 75’ <br />lakeshore setback, with a proposed new deck structure and retaining wall design and stairway that reduces the impact at the <br />shoreline and more closely relates to the historic architecture and lakeside landscape of this 1960s home designed by renowned <br />architect, John Howe. The project goal is to reduce the impact of the deck and wall system at the lake while integrating it better <br />into the existing hill side slope while building a new deck that and wall system and stairway that will be sustainable, safe, visually <br />appealing and in harmony with the existing home. <br /> <br />The existing deck, walls and stairway appears to have been built in concert with the original home in the early 1960’s and seems to <br />have been modified and repaired over the years. Overtime, the deck structure has settled and moved, which has created an uneven <br />and unsafe surface level and appearance. The foundation and structure below the deck contains cracking concrete pier footings <br />and separating, unaligned wood structural members. The existing wood stair way from the deck to the house is steep, unsafe and <br />creating erosion issues with hillside with how the stairs were cut into the hill. The existing timber walls retaining the hillside beyond <br />appear to be are to moving with the deck and sustaining rotting from water and erosion issues. <br /> <br />The project proposes to remove the existing deck, retaining wall and stairway and replace it with more sustainable, structurally <br />sound materials that are in harmony with the overall architecture of the home and promote low impact development standards <br />along the lake. A summary of the proposed improvements are outlined below. <br /> <br />• The existing concrete pier foundation system for the deck will be removed and replaced with a more structurally sound helical <br />pier foundation system which will have less disruption and disturbance during installation. <br />• The existing wood deck will be replaced with a new more sustainable deck surface. The proposed new deck design will have ¼” <br />jointing between the boards and allow for runoff to pass through the deck surface rather than directly into the lake. <br />• Additionally, the proposed new deck and wall system will be shifted southeasterly from the existing deck location and set down <br />approximately 6” lower than the existing deck, better integrating it into the hillside, reducing erosion, and minimizing the need <br />for steps / multiple levels. This will also eliminate the need for a railing at the edge of the deck (as grade will be less than 18” <br />here). <br />• The existing timber walls, approximately 3’ to 6’ in height and totaling 234 square feet and will be replaced with a thinner, <br />structural metal wall system (reducing the wall area to 29 or 40 square feet in total). We provide two wall options. The overall <br />height of walls is proposed to be reduced slightly as well from 6’ in to 5’6” in height. Two options are also proposed in this <br />document to provide screening for the wall with vegetation. Option one utilizes planters and pots with vegetation, and option two <br />proposes a tiered wall consisting of two 2’6” tall walls as well as pots. <br />• The existing bituminous pathway will be extended to the new deck to create a more seamless transition from path to deck. <br />• The existing 146 square foot wood stairway to the house will a safer stairway surface material and metal railing. <br />• The grade for the stairs is proposed to reduce <br />• The resulting project will reduce the overall hardcover within the 75’ setback by approximately 166-177 square feet depending <br />on the option and reduce the overall existing deck length at the shoreline by 26’-5”, reducing the visual impact of the deck at the <br />shoreline. <br />• A new, native, shoreline planting will be implemented to further help with mitigating runoff directly to the lake. <br /> <br />These improvements in total will create a safer, more accessible, durable lake access. <br />Original lakeside landing design by John Howe. <br />Hession, Jane King, 1951- and Tim Quigley. 2015. John H. Howe, Architect: From Taliesin Apprentice to Master of Organic Design. <br />Minneapolis, MN, University of Minnesota Press. <br />755 TONKAWA ROAD - Orono, MN 1 <br />CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT SUBMITTAL <br />246