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To: Chair Bollis and Planning Commission Members <br /> Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Laura Oakden, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Date: October 20, 2025 <br /> <br />Subject: #LA25-000039, <br />Text Amendments regarding Retaining Walls within Definitions (Sec 6.12.010); <br />Shoreland Overlay District (Sec 6.12.6240); and Permitted Encroachments (Sec 6.12.6940) <br /> <br />Background <br />The City of Orono regulates retaining walls within required yard areas as permitted encroachments, and <br />within the lakeshore setback and bluff areas within the Shoreland Overlay District. <br /> <br />Earlier this summer, the City Council directed staff to clarify the conditional use permit standards for <br />retaining walls in bluff areas and within the lakeshore setback. During the review of the City Code staff <br />identified additional areas requiring clarification for retaining wall allowances within Section 6.12.6940, <br />Permitted Encroachments pertaining to retaining walls throughout the city. <br /> <br />Summary of Proposed Changes: <br />City Code Section Applicable Area Description of Changes <br />6.12.010 Definitions Adding language to clarify how tiered wall systems are <br />measured. <br />6.12.6240 <br /> <br />Placement of buildings and structures on <br />lots (Shoreland Overlay District): <br /> <br />Administrative standards for Retaining <br />Walls in Bluffs and the Lakeshore Setback <br />Adding a requirement for a landscape plan that includes <br />native vegetation to screen walls from the lake. <br />6.12.6240 <br /> <br />Placement of buildings and structures on <br />lots (Shoreland Overlay District): <br /> <br />Conditional Use Permit Standards for <br />Retaining Walls in Bluffs and the <br />Lakeshore Setback <br />Modify the existing standards to be clearer and more <br />enforceable including the following requirements: <br /> Walls must be the minimum necessary (# and size) <br /> The walls must correct an existing erosion/stability issue <br /> Require a landscape plan to include native vegetation to <br />screen the walls from the lake <br />6.12.6940 Permitted Encroachments within required <br />yard areas (All Districts): <br /> <br />Allowances for retaining wall <br />encroachments within required yard <br />areas. <br /> Clarifies how much and where the walls are allowed to <br />encroach (front, side, and rear yards) <br /> Add reference to the 42-inch height limitation within the <br />average lakeshore setback <br />6.12.6940 Permitted Encroachments within required <br />yard areas (All Districts): <br /> <br />Regulations for fences. <br />Clarify fence regulations to match wording within the <br />average lakeshore setback text (Sec 6.12.6420). <br /> <br />Public Comments <br />No comments from the public comments have been received. <br />Application Summary: The City of Orono is proposing an ordinance to amend the Zoning Code to clarify <br />retaining walls standards within the Shoreland Overlay District and the allowances within the required yard <br />setback areas under the Permitted Encroachments section. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval. <br />233