Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - Packet 5/19/2025

Home Browse Search

Date: May 19, 2025 Item: 5.1 Presenter: Matt Karney, Planner Section: Public Hearings Title: LA25-000016, Charles Cudd Co LLC, 2545 Dunwoody Avenue, Variances (Matthew Karney) 1.Purpose: The applicant requests a conditional use permit for new retaining walls within the lakeshore setback. 2.MN§15.99 Application Deadline: The application was made on April 2, 2025 and deemed complete on April 17, 2025. The 60-day review period has been extended by staff an additional 60 days, to expire on August 15, 2025. 3.Background: The applicant proposes a new retaining wall system to provide direct stair access and a tramway to the lakes over a steep grade. They proposed to replace an existing wooden stairway and stone walls near the lakes which are in declining condition. They propose a lengthened straight stair to the lake and a parallel track for a proposed tram with straight, two (2) foot-wide retaining walls extending along the base of the slope. The new walls have a larger footprint and visual impact than the existing condition. Additionally, a wall is proposed on the upslope side of the proposed sand blanket in the rip rap. 4.Public Comment: No public comments have been received. 5.Staff Recommendation: The significant increase in the size and coverage of the walls, combined with the limited screening does not meet the conditional use criteria nor the intent and purpose of the Comprehensive Plan as it pertains to shoreland management. The applicant has not provided the necessary justification for the proposed walls and stairs, nor have they established an existing failing condition that is to be solved by the proposed design. Shoreland management regulations stipulate that the improvements placed within the lake setback should be screened from view by vegetation. As proposed, the stairs and walls will be the most visible from the lake. The applicant should revisit their design with a greater focus on minimizing the amount of disturbance, reducing the number of walls, and increasing the opportunities to screen the improvements as much as possible. Planning Staff recommends denial of the conditional use permit as applied. 6.Planning Commission Action Requested: If the commission agrees with staff's analysis; a motion should be made to deny the application. AGENDA ITEM 7