2016-01183 - boulder retaining wall

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Melanie Curtis From: Melanie Curtis Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 8:41 AM To: sarah.giel@gmail.com Cc: Christine Mattson;Adam Edwards; 'Todd Montreuil' Subject: RE: 1225 Dickenson Street/#2016-01183 Sarah I wanted to send the code sections regarding grading and retaining walls for your information prior to Friday's meeting. See below. Sections 78-966 and 967 are written kind of awkwardly. I highlighted the relevant parts. Section 78-1405 is lengthy so I only included the relevant parts. Please let me know if you have questions prior to Friday's meeting. Sec. 78-966. - Prohibition. (a) It is unlawful for any person to perform or have performed the following land alteration activities without a conditional use permit issued by the council: (1) Remove, fill, use for fill, dredge, store or excavate rock, sand, gravel, dirt or similar earth material within the limits of the city. (2) Fill or reclaim any land by depositing such material or by grading of existing land to elevate or alter the existing natural grade. (3) Build, alter or repair any seawall or retaining wall, or otherwise change the grade or shore of lakeshore property. (b) All land alterations involving filling and grading shall be performed only with clean fill as defined in section 78-1. Granting of such permits is subject to other regulations and prohibitions of this Code and other applicable statutes or ordinances of other governmental bodies. Sec. 78-967. - Exception. (a) The requirements of section 78-966 are not intended to govern the following land alteration activities: (1) Normal and customary grading in the area of an existing or a newly constructed building, or the grading of the driveway serving such building. (2) Any earth movement less than 500 cubic yards which does not adversely impact the existing drainage. (3) Grading, filling or excavating of 50 cubic yards or less within the shore setback zone of all lakes enumerated in article IX of this chapter. (b) Such grading and earth movement shall be subject to approval by the building inspector at the time of issuance of a building permit, provided that a plan showing proper drainage and protection of adjoining property has been submitted. Where such earth movement is not being performed in conjunction with a building permit, a separate land alteration permit shall be required. Any unusual land alterations, including earth filling, removal or grading, proposed by a builder shall be subject to a conditional use permit as provided for in this chapter. The following land alterations shall be considered as unusual land alterations: (1) All excavations for foundations in excess of 12 feet average depth if any amount of the excess material removed below 12 feet depth is to be stockpiled on the site. (2) Any additional fill brought on site in excess of 500 cubic yards, except for fill required to raise grade for adequate frost footing protection, the intent being that structures shall not be artificially raised above the preexisting surrounding topography. (3) Grading or alterations that would propose any changes in elevations within five feet of adjacent residential lot lines except for drainage swales and ditches. (c) The building inspector shall have the authority to refer any requests for land alteration permits to the city council for review and approval in instances where the land alteration appears to potentially create negative impacts or be not in keeping with the goals and policies of the community management plan. 1