Project Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

UNIVERSITY OF MI~1\J'ESOTA 1'win Cities Campus October 13, 2004 Michael P. Gaffron Planning Director City of Orono 2750 Kelley Parkway PO Box66 Crystal Bay, MN 55323 FAX (952)249-4616 EXHIBIT J Otoktryngology•Head & Neck Surgery Mayo Mail Code 396 T,.ioris SM International Hearing Cente'f" 420 DelawarE! Street S.E. Medical School Minneapolis, MN 55455 612,625-3200 Fax: 612-625,2101 Offices: 8th Floor Phillip.1·-Wangensre,u1 Building 516 Delaware Sireet S.E. RE: #04-3057, Don Henderson, 560 Big Island Dear Mr. Gaffron: As one of the immediate neighbors of Mr. Don Henderson on Big Island, I am very concerned about providing a variance for a permit for construction of a seasonal cabin on the described lot. While it is reported that it is a 3.3 acre size, in reality, much of this property is not usable or consists of a marsh. That marsh serves as a home in the spring for a great deal of wildlife particularly redwing blackbirds and in the summer for herons. I am concerned, not because of the home construction, but because of the possible septic system and possible entry or disturbance of that marsh by development of the area. During the summer of '04, there was a For Sale sign on the property and it was advertised in the Lakeshore Weekly News as a buildable lot. Where the new dock would be for this property is another area to be discussed as it would have to pass through a portion of this marsh. The new owner of this property should be aware that the 75 foot setback still places the home in the lowland part of the island. Other homes built on the lowland portion of this aspect of the island are built on pilings, specifically the Webb Hill and Tom Lapping properties. This is because in the spring of each year this area is associated with the spring runoff and is underwater. Additionally, on the higher portions of the property there is an embankment leading down to the area of the marsh. It seems to me that this property would be best served to the state, the people of Minnesota, and Lake Minnetonka by declaring it a natural preserve. If however it is deemed a buildable lot, then I would hope that the new builder would be made specifically aware of these circumstances and that they would need additional pe1mits for a dock, a welli a septic system, and for clearing trees. TOTAL P.01