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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Along the easterly side yard,the tiered retaining wall system will be removed in favor of a single wall <br /> system. In this area existing slopes range from 18 percent to 36 percent. At the base of the slope is a <br /> drainageway within an existing drainage easement. Proposed re-grading after the tiered wall is removed <br /> will result in a uniform slope of about 34-36 percent. Grading plans indicate that the drainageway will <br /> not be filled or graded. A temporary culvert in the drainageway, however, is proposed to allow <br /> construction vehicle access from Long Lake Boulevard. Total fill in this area estimated by Staff is <br /> another 500 cubic yards and will range up to perhaps two feet in depth where it replaces the retaining <br /> walls. <br /> The proposed slope is at the limit of what is maintainable as yard area. The applicants should be asked <br /> what they intend for permanent ground cover in those sloped areas. Grading and filling in a bluff area is <br /> generally prohibited and the existing structures in this area would likely not be allowed under today's <br /> codes. However,their replacement substantially in kind,with only minor revisions to allow for greater <br /> safety, would appear to be reasonable and have no additional impacts on the bluff if appropriate erosion <br /> control and permanent vegetation measures are implemented. <br /> Before the Planning Commission tonight is a letter that was received from Christopher Jones. The letter <br /> talks about the fact that the applicants are seeking variances for average lakeshore setbacks, bluff setback <br /> variances, and a conditional use permit for grading. Jones states that"The proximity of this property to <br /> Long Lake and the slope o the property towards Long Lake suggests that any variance approvals be <br /> paired with rain/storm water remediation best management practices." <br /> Jones further states that"Long Lake is an impaired lake with phosphorus and other chemical levels that <br /> inhibit its ability to recover. Members of the Commission who grew up on Lake Minnetonka in the 1970s <br /> will recall what that body of water looked and felt like,and they will likely recall the 'Save The Lake' <br /> campaign that began that lake's recovery. That's where Long Lake is today, and that's without the <br /> invasive species that compound the problems. <br /> Any variances granted to this property/project also should seek commensurate rainwater runoff treatment <br /> using rainwater gardens or similar management practices to infiltrate runoff before it reaches the <br /> lakeshore. The pool deck is a hardscape surface that will shed its rainwater to the lake, and employing <br /> remediation techniques uphill from the lakeshore towards the pool deck will keep excess contaminated <br /> water from a 100-year rain event from the lake." <br /> Gaffron noted construction of the proposed retaining walls in excess of four feet in height will require <br /> engineering. A stairway adjacent to the easterly pool wall is proposed to replace the existing freestanding <br /> step system located further east of the existing retaining walls and the existing stair system extending <br /> from the westerly decks. <br /> The Planning Commission should review with the applicant what trees will be removed due to the <br /> grading plan and whether any additional screening is necessary. Also recommended to be reviewed with <br /> the applicant is the plan for temporary construction access from Long Lake Boulevard. <br /> In addition,the Planning Commission should discuss the following: <br /> 1. Does the Planning Commission find that the property owner proposes to use the property in a <br /> reasonable manner and that the criteria for issuance of variances and a conditional use permit are <br /> met? <br /> Page 27 of 48 <br />