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Mr. David R. Carlson <br />October 12, 1992 <br />Page 3 <br />9. If all the 'foregoing concerns and issues are suitably <br />resolved, there remains the issue of construction within the <br />flood fringe district. Flood fringe district is defined as <br />an area of land above the 929.4 ordinary high water level <br />for Lake Minnetonka and the 931.5' one hundred year flood <br />elevation. On the sketch I have approximately plotted the <br />931.5' contour, which shows that all existing buildings on <br />both properties are within the flood fringe, and per our <br />discussion, their replacements would similarly be within the <br />flood fringe. <br />The problem is that Orono's code does not list enclosed <br />structures as a permitted/accessory/conditional use within <br />the flood fringe district. The code does allow the Council <br />to approve "other uses" through a conditional use permit <br />provided that such use shall not restrict or obstruct any <br />flood flow nor raise the level of any flood flow. Section <br />10.55, Subd. 12 outlines the factors the City must use in <br />reviewing the conditional use permit. It is my <br />understanding after discussions with the DNR and the <br />Minnehaha Creek Watershed District that their rules and <br />regulations would allow a structure in the flood fringe <br />subject to meeting specific flood proofing standards and <br />providing equivalent storage on the site, likely by <br />excavating an area equivalent to the encroachment. <br />In summary, your proposed lot line rearrangement and <br />construction/reconstruction of cabins on the property would involve an <br />average lakeshore setback variance, a conditional use permit for work <br />in the flood fringe district, finalization of the lot area variance <br />for the easterly property, and approval of the setback/lot width <br />interpretation as diagramed. <br />Finally, there is a possibility that the Planning Commission and <br />Council will interpret Section 10.31, Subd. 7 from the standpoint that <br />we are creating a new lakeshore lot and therefore it should have no <br />less than 200' in width measured at the shoreline and at the building <br />site (or at the 75' setback). This would have a significant impact on <br />your proposed building site, and obviously is not in the scheme of <br />your intent. If this interpretation was held by the Planning <br />Commission and Council, this would be another area in which you might <br />ask for a variance.