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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLA18-000016 (1370 Cherry Pl) VAR Ex D PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. LA18-000016 DALE GUSTAFSON, 1370 CHERRY PLACE, VARIANCES, 7:18 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. Dale Gustafson, Applicant, was present. Oakden stated the applicant has submitted an application to add retaining walls and landscaping to the shoreline of the property located at 1370 Cherry Place. The property abuts Lake Minnetonka and has a slope along the shoreline. There are currently stairs leading down the slope creating access to the lake. These stairs would be removed as part of the project and new stairs would be constructed. There is also an existing boathouse the applicant is proposing to retain. Retaining walls are not permitted within 75 feet of the lake. As a result, the applicant is requesting a setback and hardcover variance. The applicant proposes to build new stairs to the lake around the boathouse and add retaining walls to support the slope. The plan includes multiple retaining walls running along the stairs and running along the slope. Oakden illustrated the location of the existing stairs and the proposed retaining walls. The applicant is proposing 17.9 percent hardcover in the lake yard. To date one comment against building in the lake yard in general has been received. The Planning Commission should discuss whether the applicant has met the standards for a practical difficulty to warrant a variance and whether the applicant has made an attempt to meet the City standards for stair access to the lake. Staff is recommending approval of the project, with screening of all the retaining walls be required to preserve the natural look of the shoreline when viewed from the lake. Schoenzeit asked whether there are any elevation drawings. Oakden stated there are no cross-sections of the plans but that essentially the applicant is looking to install stairs that would be embedded into the slope. The retaining walls are being requested to hold back earth. Schoenzeit asked if the retaining walls exceed four feet. Oakden stated the elevations vary but none of the rocks will exceed four feet. MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Dale Gustafson, applicant, stated he is the landscape designer for this project and that this lot is a typical kind of problematic lakeshore lot with a steep bank. Currently the slope is just a collection of weeds and invasive trees and that there is the typical problem with trying to maintain that. In addition, the existing stairway is beginning to deteriorate and needs to be replaced in some shape, manner or form. The walls that were originally installed were substandard and the stairs going down to the boathouse are sinking and are not very safe or useful. Gustafson stated it is the property owner’s plan to resurface and redo the boathouse and then install the stones more into the ground. Gustafson indicated they are anticipating using granite slabs. The retaining walls are simply to retain the soil on either side of the stairs. Gustafson noted as someone comes up the stairs, the wall might be nonexistent on one side and on the other side it could be two feet high. Gustafson stated the idea is to plant vegetation around the retaining walls and stairs so they are not very visible. Oakden displayed a picture of a sample stone stairway. Gustafson indicated it would consist more of stone outcroppings to control the slope. Thiesse asked if it will be similar to what is depicted. Gustafson stated it will be. Gustafson pointed out the boathouse will block the view of the stairs from one side of the lake. Gustafson stated at this time of the year there is not much vegetation but that they do plan on putting some wooded shrubs in there to help screen it during the winter. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this application. Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. Thiesse stated it does not appear there is a railing around the boathouse at the top or access. Gustafson indicated the access will be up at the top of the boathouse and is depicted on the plan. The access will consist of three stepping stones and there will be a railing around there. Lemke commented it is an improvement from what is there now and that what currently is there is not very attractive or safe. MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Landgraver stated his initial reaction was that the snaking design creates the need for the retaining walls and that a stairway straight down would requires less hardcover. Landgraver stated the mitigating factor is the fact that it comes down and goes behind the boathouse, which helps reduce the massing effect. Thiesse stated he is in agreement with Commissioner Landgraver and that he is not a big proponent of wooden stairs. Leskinen stated the look of the stone stairs with the plants around it is an improvement but that she has a concern with the amount of hardcover and whether that might speed up the runoff down to the lake. Schoenzeit questioned whether the overall project should be reviewed by the City Engineer even though it is under four feet. Oakden stated if it under four feet, the applicant would need to submit plans for a zoning permit but it would not be reviewed by the City Engineer. Thiesse asked if the City Engineer looks at all applications. Schoenzeit commented it would be nice to have it vetted by an engineer and that the Planning Commission could encourage the applicant to supply documentation. Barnhart stated the City Engineer will review the grading and drainage but that he will not look at a retaining wall that is less than four feet in height. Gustafson stated the stairway and wall will be constructed from a barge off the lake. Gustafson stated when the bigger rocks are placed to retain the grade, there will be drainage rock behind them, which will help capture some of the water. If the stairway is straight, the water will go straight down and lead to erosion. Gustafson noted they will have to do some slight grading and that they will add more vegetation to help hold the bank in there. Gustafson stated the company has been around a long time and that they want to do it right the first time around so repairs do not need to be made. Lemke moved, Leskinen seconded, to recommend approval of Application No. LA18-000016, Dale Gustafson, 1370 Cherry Place, granting of a 0-75 foot lake setback variance. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0.