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=·,::::-,J.::J ,;/ 11 -and erosion of topsoil into the lake. <•~' ~<c.:...,,' -----, -.::/ .-i :..; Furthermore, erosion blankets tend to be temporary measures and their effectiveness is dependent upon the ability of ground foliage to ultimately adhere to the hillside. On the other hand, the retaining wall system creates pockets and terraces for the water to collect and percolate down through the soil and creates barriers to halt the erosion of the soil on the hillside. In addition, retaining walls are not temporary remedial measures but instead are permanent solutions to the particular landscape problem. 2. The retaining wall/deck system actually promotes the purposes of the hardcover ordinance by assisting the slow, methodical percolation of rainwater through the soil. The spirit and intent of Orono's hardcover ordinance, is to ensure that rainfall run off will be cleansed by filtering through grass or vegetated yard areas before entering the lake. Without the retaining wall/deck system, rainfall would most certainly wash down the steep hill directly into Lake Minnetonka. On the other hand, the retaining wall/deck system impedes this direct flow into the lake by causing rainfall to hit the horizontal deck area, collect on the deck and then pass through the openings between the deck boards, much as if the deck were acting like a coffee filter in an automatic drip coffeemaker. This process decreases the amount of erosion and also allows the rainwater to seep more slowly into the ground. 3. The retaining wall/deck system provides protection to the trees on the hill by controlling erosion and the loss of soil around their root systems. 3 It is important to note that no trees were removed from the hillside to accommodate construction of the retaining wall/stairway/deck system. the On the contrary, great care was taken to build the structure around existing trees to ensure their longevity. 4. The "zig-zag" design of the stairway is necessary because of the extreme slope of the hill and provides a safer means of descent to the lakeshore. The drawings submitted along with this application show that the hill drops 17 feet over a 36 foot span. This creates an angle of 30 degrees. The zig-zag nature of the stairway and the landing room on the deck, afford more protection to an individual if he were to fall on the stairway. 5. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the retaining wall/stairway/deck system does not jeopardize the integrity of the locality. First, the entire structure is made of wood and has remained in a natural wood color. Second, during the seasons when Lake Minnetonka is most heavily used, the entire structure is not readily noticeable from the water because it is partially concealed by foliage on the hillside. Furthermore, the structure is not visible to a good portion of the main body of the lake since the property is tucked back into one of the bays that comprise Big Island. Finally, much of the horizontal decking material is not visible from the water since a good portion of the deck is located on top of the hill. For all of the above reasons, I respectfully request that the City approve my request for a variance so that the retaining wall/stairway/deck system and the deck next to the house may remain in their present positions. 4