Request for council action-lkshore restoration-2001

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. R 2845 Little Orchard July 17, 2001 Page 4 of the lake except where absolutely necessary to stabilize slopes; and where planting areas need to be mulched,wood chips rather than rock will provide a more natural look. The City's goal is to have the site restored to a natural looking shoreline landscape, not for it to become a manicured garden or lawn. Additional Topics for Discussion In November 1998 Council approved a slight revision to the easement which relocated the boundary of the"Protected Area"and granted the ability to have manicured lawn within the northeaster1y10' of the Protected Area. The proposed restoration plan indicates a relatively small portion of lawn, perhaps 40-50' in length, will be within the northeasterly 15' of the Protected Area, i.e. an encroachment of perhaps 5' x 50' or 250 s.f. This lawn area is relatively flat and will be well screened from lake view by the proposed shrubs bordering the lawn, and is still about 70' from the shoreline. To balance this, additional area along the westerly lot line is being kept in natural groundcovers and not manicured. Staff has no problem with this trade-off. The uniform 3:1 slope just west of the house near the pool is perhaps 20'x 70' in length. While the plan shows the potential for two interim retaining walls in this area, the owner believes this slope can be maintained in natural ground cover (primarily bush honeysuckle) without the need for the walls.Those walls would be within the bluff setback and would be no more than 1'-2'in height each, if they aze constructed. In the event the owner decides to add these walls,staff has no problem with them provided that they are screened with plantings. The existing well house located underground about 30' from the shoreline has been discussed at length. It was not required to be removed when the property was subdivided;however, its removal would require extensive regrading and the owner has concluded that he will leave it in place. The proposed stairway to the lake is allowed under the terms of the easement and by Orono code. The design at a slight angle will allow it to be screened from lake view, and it is following the existing contours. Staff has no problem with this stairway as shown on the plan. A prior proposal for a second stairway was dropped based on staff advising the applicant that only one stairway could be allowed under the ordinances.