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and they have no "as-built" survey. I was unable to locate the contractor who <br /> built the house, so got in touch of the person who owneti the property in 1978 <br /> and had the house built. He assures me that an Orono inspector was on the <br /> �ite during construction to verifiy that the house was placed accarding to code <br /> and gave app�oval. There was never any mention to him a�ut an "as-built" <br /> survey. This person also assured me that the patio and deck were constructed <br /> at the same time as the house. Because of the steeply sloping lakefront yard, <br /> this person or another owner before us terraced and landscaped the lower half <br /> of the area bet�en the house and the lakeshore across the full width of the <br /> lot. <br /> If I had been the person building on this property, I think I would have done <br /> a lot of things differently, such as placing the house further back to allow <br /> for modifications, possibly placing it at a different elevation, doing a <br /> better job of grading to restrict velocity of surface drainage. <br /> I now am informed that an ordinance on hardcover allows 0 Izero) hardcover <br /> within 75* of some specified shoreline. There is already some hardcover that <br /> was placed by previous owners that is beneticial in protecting an atherwise <br /> steep slope from erosion (which is just as important as filtering the runoff <br /> water through gra5s). It doesn't seem right to �ae to include slatted de�ks in <br /> the definition of "hardcover", especially if the deck is placed over an area <br /> that is hard to keep covered with grass and subject to soil erosion. <br /> I have �rouble talking to anyane at City Hall abatt this because I work <br /> outside the Metro area and they can*t return my long distance call if they <br /> happen to be out or �isy when I call. <br /> The point ot all this is that the fees for surveys, permits, variances, <br /> consultants, etc. will far outwei9h the cost of this little deck. It seems <br /> that the ordinances involved are intended to prevent or discourage property <br /> owners from making useful, attractive improve�ents to their lakefr�t yards. <br /> After all, if I didn�t want to enjoy the lake every day from my lakefiront <br /> yard, I would be living somewhere else. <br /> My neighbor to the Satth has considerable "hardcaver" in the 75' zone and has <br /> such a tall house that my sunlight is restricted, but no one seems to have <br /> ever worried about that. <br /> I Nould appreciate it if you rrould reach me by telephone during the work day. <br /> My number is 507-451-2480 (Owatonna Public Utilities>. I am sending a copy of <br /> this to Mike Gaffron, so he knows that I am trying to get something worked out <br /> since his letter of .Iune 25, 199@. <br /> Yours truly, <br /> i���� <br /> William C. Kallberg <br /> cc: �ce 6afifron, ,Ass't Planning & Zoning Administrator <br />