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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2007 7:00 o’clock p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 6. #07-3323 STRUCTURES UNLIMITED ON BEHALF OF JUDSON AND ALEYA CHAMPLIN, 210 BIG ISLAND – VARIANCE – RESOLUTION NO. 5687 Ross Langhans, Structures Unlimited, was present. Bremer indicated she would recuse herself from this application because she personally knows Aleya Champlin. Rahn asked how the retaining wall has gone from 48 inches, as reflected in the minutes and the planner’s report, to seven feet in some places. Langhans explained the retaining wall is required due to the septic work and that there is a portion where the wall may be seven feet high. Langhans indicated the wall has to be engineered and that they are confident that the wall would be of quality construction. Rahn stated normally the city engineer determines whether the wall is necessary. Langhans stated to his understanding there is no standard limiting him to the 48 inches and that it is also his understanding there is a special condition regarding retaining walls for Big Island. Langhans indicated the retaining wall became necessary due to the work on the septic system. Langhans indicated he did attempt to change the grade in that area to comply with the 48 inches but that it would require the removal of a large number of trees. Murphy noted the last page in the Council packet shows the area that Mr. Langhans has discussed and that it appears the wall would be constructed up to the existing grade. Murphy recommended that the wall be high enough that the water not run over the wall and into the septic system or the corner of the house. Langhans stated it is their intent to construct the wall up to the existing grade. A tiered wall was considered but would need to be dismantled if the septic tank ever had to be removed. Rahn inquired whether the city engineer has reviewed whether this retaining wall is necessary at the proposed height. Langhans stated in his view the design of the septic system was not a good design and did not take into account the contours of the grade, which has resulted in the need for the retaining wall. Murphy asked whether there is going to be any runoff that will go toward the corner of the house with or without the retaining wall. Turner displayed the original plan that was proposed and explained that the reason the retaining wall needs to extend past the house is that a swale has to be constructed as well as a tree removed to handle the runoff. McMillan asked whether the swale has been completed. Langhans indicated the swale has been constructed and that the only thing that remains to be done is construction of the retaining wall. PAGE 7 of 14 Item #02 - CC Agenda - 11/26/07 Approval of Council Minutes [Page 7 of 14]