09/15/03 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, September 15, 2003 6:00 o'clock p.m. (#9) #03-2942 GEORGE AND MARILYN MILEUSNIC, 3243 CASCO CIRCLE, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, 8:13 —8:36 P.M. George and Marilyn Mileusnic, the Applicants, and Jim Smith of Concept Landscaping, were present. Foth reported that the applicants request a conditional use permit to construct a 4' retaining wall which will be situated between 6' to 12' from the OHWL, within the 0-75' zone. The applicants are also proposing to repair a landslide where a failed 8' retaining wall existed approximately 16' to 20' from the OHWL and to stabilize a 2:1 slope with an erosion control blanket and plant material. Foth explained that the applicants have applied for a conditional use permit in order to continue with their plan to repair a lakeshore hillside and failed retaining wall. Upon removing an existing rotten wooden stair system a hillside landslide was uncovered beneath overgrown grapevines. The existing 8' retaining wall had partially collapsed and the applicant has proposed to construct a retaining wall 4' in height and import approximately 25 cubic yards of fill to maintain a 2:1 (horizontal : vertical) slope. The applicant proposes to stabilize the slope with an erosion control blanket, mulch and dogwood plantings. The proposed wall will be constructed further lakeward than the failed 8' wall. A permit from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has been obtained for the installation of 60' of rip-rap and a 6' x 10' sand blanket. City Engineer, Tom Kellogg,has reviewed the site and provided staff with a recommendation, which Foth summarized as follows: • The landscape plans should show a proposed slope not to exceed 2:1. • The proposed wall should not exceed 4'in height. • Installation and maintenance of a silt fence throughout the duration of the project and vegetation be established. Foth indicated that the Planning Department Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit with the following conditions: 1. Retaining wall must not to exceed 4' in height, and the hillside must be maintained at a slope no greater than 2:1. 2. Plant material must be installed lakeward of the retaining wall to screen views of the wall from the lake. While the Applicants knew there were problems after purchasing the property this spring, they had not known to what extent the erosion has occurred and believe this to be a great improvement. Smith, of Concept Landscaping, shared photos of the hillside, failed retaining wall, and landslide area after removal of the grapevine cover. He indicated that the new stairway system also matched a 2:1 slope, and that it was his intent to restore the hillside, wiped out PAGE 14 of 25