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FILE#06-3243 <br /> . November 20,2006 <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> . trees a�jacent to tlie st�irs the trees on the slope are box elders. These vohuiteer trees are <br /> common oii created or clist�irbed slopes where little else grows. The owner indicates he had <br /> � �lie seller "cleati up the slope" before he bought the property., It appears they cut the box <br /> elders. The box elc�ers re-sprouted. The owner hacl them trimmed again this year. This <br /> made the slope appe�to be clear cut. <br /> Box elders are fast growiiig. They leaf out very e�rly and produce a deiise sliade. The <br /> grouiid beiieath tlzem is usually weeds and bare earth. Iu tlus situatioii there is virhially no <br /> grounci cover on the slope. Erosion is occurruig into the l�.ke. The top of the slope at the east <br /> propei�ty liiie is begiiuziiig to fail. , _ <br /> Lot Area/Width � <br /> • • Re uired Actual ' <br /> Lot Area 1 acre 1.07 acre <br /> Lot Width 140 feet 150 feet <br /> Conditionai Use Permit <br /> The applicant proposes to consta�.ict two retaining walls, each ten feet �lugh, across the <br /> lakeshore slope. A lower tei�race eight feet wide and an intermediate tei7ace 17 feet wide <br /> would be created. The walls would be constructed of large blocks of stone. There would be <br /> two separate sets of stairs, oiie to the intermediate terrace and the secoiid to the lower terrace. <br /> Retaiiung walls would be placed near the side lot lines so the existing grade on the adjacent . <br /> properties could be maintained undisturbed. Teii feet behind the wall would be excavated to � <br /> provide for placeinent of requi�ed fabric aiid soils. The applicatioii is incomplete because no <br /> grading plan was provided despite a specific request for one. <br /> . Prior to beguuung construction of the walls the applicant proposes to install rip-rap fiom <br /> land. Tlus will require gradiiig an access way, which would also be used during construction <br /> of the walls. <br /> The walls a�.id steps would create 940 square feet of hardcover in the 0-75 foot zoiie. <br /> Cunently the propei�ty is in conzplia�ice with hardcover regulations except for the iion- <br /> conforming lake level deck. <br /> - Issues for Consideration <br /> The applicant has asserted that retaining walls are fihe oiily way to address the slope. Cutting <br /> tlie banlc dowii to create a 3:1 slope would niove the top of the slope back to the 75 foot <br /> , lakeshore setback aud require work oii adjacent�roperties. Initially Bonestroo and Associates <br /> tliouglit there was no way to create a stable slope of inore than 3:1. Staff asked thei� to do <br /> more investigation and they found MnDOT s�ecifications for constructing'steeper slopes. � <br /> ' Tlie applic�nt prefers to construct walls. : <br /> In Staff's opinion the slope is preferaUle to walls. While it would possible to place <br /> laiidsc�.ping iil front of the walls to screen them, tlie l�ndsc�ping would ap�ear unnatural <br /> suice it would be iii steps rather than a curved line following the slope. Because of soil <br /> requireineizts plaiituig trees oii the terraces would be iinpossiUle. It would be difficult to <br />