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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 16,2005 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (#05-3100 Larry and Sheryl Palm, Continued) <br /> Gundlach stated the applicant is requesting a lot area variance,a lot width variance, and a conditional use <br /> permit to allow retaining walls and grading within five feet of the adjoining lot line. Staff has concerns <br /> regarding the grading plan for this specific lot and the number of retaining walls being proposed, some as <br /> high as 14 feet high. Gundlach stated the concerns deal with the height of the walls as well as <br /> maintenance of the walls and the need to construct a swale. <br /> Gundlach stated four grading plans have been submitted,with the City Engineering having reviewed two <br /> of them. Staff also has a concern that the current plan does not address construction on steep slopes. <br /> Gundlach indicated the City's code defines a steep slope as "land having average slopes of 12 percent or <br /> greater as measured over horizontal distances of 50 feet or more that are not bluffs." The Planning <br /> Commission should discuss whether screening should be required for any retaining walls and structures in <br /> an effort to preserve existing vegetation screening as viewed from the lake <br /> Gundlach noted the building inspector is requesting that this application not be moved forward to the City <br /> Council pending approval of the grading plan. Staff is also recommending tabling the application to <br /> allow the City Engineer to review the latest grading plan. <br /> Gundlach displayed grading plan number four that was received on Friday depicting the location of the <br /> retaining walls,noting that the elevation of the retaining wall may not work with the proposed grading <br /> plan. <br /> Buchanich stated they have gone through a number of revisions to the grading plan due to concerns raised <br /> by Staff. Buchanich stated the house to the north,when it was constructed,was cut into the hill which has <br /> resulted in a steep grade and has created an abnormal condition to the north. Buchanich stated the idea of <br /> constructing a retaining wall to the right was to help mitigate some of the runoff issues on this lot as well <br /> as the adjoining property. <br /> Buchanich stated the applicants have revised their plans to address the requirement that the retaining wall <br /> not be located within five feet of the adjoining property. Buchanich stated under this plan the applicants <br /> are not able to divert as much of the neighbors' runoff as originally proposed. Buchanich noted under the <br /> latest proposal the majority of the drainage is being diverted to the south and that very little water goes <br /> along the north property line,which is significantly different than what currently exists. <br /> Buchanich stated the retaining walls being proposed are two-tier,with a five-foot wall and a six-foot wall <br /> being proposed. <br /> Rahn inquired whether the City Engineer has reviewed this plan. <br /> Gundlach stated Staff received the plan on Friday and that the City Engineer has not reviewed it. <br /> Rahn noted the City Engineer would need to review the plan prior to the Planning Commission making a <br /> final decision on it. <br /> PAGE 10 <br />