09-18-2017 Planning Commission Packet

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1PC Exhibit F #17-3968 LISA WYSOCKY 1555 ORCHARD BEACH PLACE • ORONO,MINNESOTA 55364 615.305.0945 • LISAWYSOCKY@COMCAST.NET September 13,2017 To Members of the Orono Planning Commission, I am very sorry I cannot be there this evening,as this is an important issue.However,the short notice did not give me enough time to rearrange my schedule.The city's file on this property contains several other letters from me that state my concerns regarding a building on the tiny, flood-prone lot located at 1565 Orchard Beach Place,but I would like to re-state some of my thoughts.Thank you for reading them. 1.The lot cannot meet the average lakeshore setback,as it is only 100 feet deep.Most homes on both sides, including mine on the adjoining lot at 1555 Orchard Beach Place,are set back about 125 feet.Orono Zoning Code 78-1279(6) states in part: No principal or accessory structure shall be located closer to the lakeshore than the average distance from the shoreline of existing residence buildings on adjacent lots. a.In instances where the average lakeshore setback cannot be met,administrative approval may be granted at the discretion of the planning director,provided no lake views of an adjacent lakeshore lot are obstructed AND adjacent neighbors provide written approval. The front of any proposed home would be 60 or more feet in front of all other houses for close to a Vi mile stretch,and any house will obstruct some of our views.As the adjacent property owner,I cannot and will not provide the needed written approval. 2. In Orono's 1974 Comprehensive Community Management Plan (CMP), Section B, Lakeshore Residential,wording is clear regarding no building on the lake on lots of less than l/ acre (this lot is less than .22 acres),and in our area of Orono,the minimum lot size is one acre. 3.The CMP also states that a 75-foot setback from the lake is required(the lot is only 100 feet deep).This setback requirement protects the lake. 4. It also states that any building must not allow major tree and shrub removal within 75 feet of the lake. Any building would necessitate some clearing. Mature trees within 75' of the lake would be destroyed, trees that keep this very low lot from flooding more than it already does.Plus,many smaller trees and lots of shrubs would also be removed,and they also soak up water. 5. Major changes of natural land contours by grading or filling is not allowed. This lot serves as a drain field for a many acres.Without the trees and shrubs to filter runoff water,unfiltered water full of chemicals and other pollutants will pour into the lake,muddying the water for neighbors,and harming fish and other wildlife.For me,this is one of the most important issues at stake here. 6.Points 3,4,and 5 are Orono standards,but they are also consistent with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District,the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District,and the State of Minnesota.