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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 28, 1989 <br />ZONING FILE #1429- BURGESS CONTINUED • <br />aesthetics, the other was environmental impact. <br />Mr. Burgess showed the Council and Mayor Grabek a model of <br />the proposed home. He said that the house was designed and would <br />be located in such a way that runoff would be directed toward a <br />settling pond. He also showed that by moving the house back, it <br />would no longer encroach into the average lakeshore setback. <br />Mr. Burgess explained that he had a great interest in the <br />preservation of Lake Minnetonka and had formed and been involved <br />in the Lake Minnetonka Association. He hoped that this <br />information would give him credibility regarding his intent to <br />build his home without negatively impacting the Lake. Mr. <br />Burgess said that, in his opinion, his proposal would improve the <br />Lake. He said that he was amazed that lakeshore residents did <br />not do more retention ponding to allow sediments to settle before <br />runoff enters the lake. Mr. Burgess said that his proposal would <br />be an environmental improvement because it would increase the <br />distance runoff would travel before entering the Lake. He also <br />said that he was replacing the hardcover within 0 -75' of the Lake <br />with sod. He said that he did not understand why he was being <br />denied when in fact he was improving the environment. <br />Mayor Grabek explained to Mr. Burgess that the assumptions <br />he made regarding the intent of the City's Code may or may not be • <br />accurate. Mayor Grabek said that in his opinion the City cannot <br />allow excavating along the shoreline, because even though Mr. <br />Burgess's proposal may be aesthetically pleasing, another <br />applicant's proposal to do the same excavation may not have the <br />same results. <br />Mr. Burgess questioned why the City could not hire <br />consultants to review each application on a case by case basis, <br />or why the Planning Commission could not be better informed of <br />the City's Codes. Mayor Grabek responded that the City Council <br />treated the citizens equally and that it would be difficult to <br />allow one application for a walk -out and deny another. He said <br />that the City's Codes and guidelines were very evident in that <br />they disallow any excavation of the shoreline. <br />Mr. Burgess referred to the issue of aesthetics and said <br />that the existing house was a two -story home located on the <br />highest elevation of his property. If given a choice, he <br />believed that the Council and Mayor Grabek would choose the house <br />he was proposing because it was more in conformity with the <br />neighboring properties and aesthetically pleasing. <br />Mayor Grabek reiterated that it was the City's intent to <br />protect the shoreline by disallowing any excavation within 0 -75' <br />of the lake. <br />Councilmember Goetten reminded Mr. Burgess that he was is <br />before the Council because he required a variance. She asked Mr. <br />Burgess what hardship he had for a walk -out? Mr. Burgess said <br />5 <br />