03-13-1989 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 13, 1989 #1364 EDWIN GAGE • 480 TONRAWA ROAD REVISED PROPOSAL RESOLUTION #2588 Mr. Gage was not present for this matter, but was represented by his landscape designer, Mr. Dale Gustafson. Acting City Administrator Gerhardson explained that Mr. Gage was seeking a hardcover variance in the 0 -75' setback zone, to construct a 6' wide walkway. This item was previously reviewed by the Council and was tabled at their February 13, 1989, meeting. Mr. Gustafson said that he had had an opportunity to explore other options and questions that the Council had previously discussed. One question was whether angling the posts would offer more stability. It was determined that it would be very difficult to auger the holes properly and in order to gain the stability, the posts would need to be angled in such a way that they would limit passage. Mr. Gustafson clarified why there was a need for the walkway from the 929.4' elevation, shoreward. The existing dock extends across a marshy bay. The aspect of dredging was explored but Mr. Gage believed it would have a negative impact on the bay. The ground in that area is very spongy and muddy and the walkway would allow pedestrians to get from the dock to dry ground. Mr. Gustafson and Mr. Gage felt • that the 6' width would offer more stability. If a 4' width were used, there would be more tendency for the walkway, in time, to shift. Once installed, it will be very difficult to repair or correct any problems caused by the shifting. When this proposal was presented to the DNR, they felt that the 6' width would be acceptable because it would make the walkway more safe and stable. Because of the unique area in which this walkway would be placed, Mr. Gustafson did not believe that approval of the 6' width would be precedent- setting. Councilmember Goetten stood firm on her previous recommendation of a 4' walkway. She commented that input from the City Engineer would have been helpful in determining whether the 6' width would actually add more stability and safety. Mr. Gustafson explained that the walkway, which was "a matter of convenience and practicality ", was adding 420 s.f. of hardcover in an area where there was currently no hardcover. The hardcover would be such that it would be a f lat surface, over a marsh area, where there would be no impact on runoff due to any water running off the edge of the walkway into the marsh. The use of a metal grate that would be 20% hardcover and 80% open was explored as an option to deal with the hardcover issue. Mr. Gustafson also invited the Council to dictate the spacing of the boards of the wood walkway, if approved, to allow for maximum runoff. Councilmember Nettles asked Mr. Gustafson for clarification • as to whether the 6' wide metal grate would be more porous than a 4' wide wood walkway? Mr. Gustafson stated that the metal grate proposal was being mentioned as an option to adequately handle 3