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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> February 22,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br /> Chair Scott Kirchner,Commissioners Chris Bollis,Bob Erickson,Dennis Libby,and Jon Ressler(arrived <br /> at 6:02); Commissioners Matt Gettman and Mark McCutcheon were absent.Representing Staff were <br /> Community Development Director Jeremy Barnhart,City Planner Melanie Curtis,and City Planner Laura <br /> Oakden. <br /> Chair Kirchner called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.,followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> APPROVAL OF AGENDA <br /> Libby moved,Bollis seconded,to approve the Agenda.VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. <br /> APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 18,2022. <br /> Bollis moved,Ressler seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting <br /> of January 18,2022.VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> 1. LA21-000076 YARDSCAPES,INC.-LINCOLN DANFORTH, 1720 BOHNS POINT ROAD, <br /> REQUESTS HARDCOVER AND 75-FOOT LAKEYARD SETBACK VARIANCES TO <br /> ALLOW THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A RETAINING WALL. <br /> Staff presented a summary packet of information. Ms. Oakden stated the Applicant is proposing to <br /> reconstruct failing retaining walls within the 75' lake yard setback with some expansion to the footprint. <br /> The property abuts Lake Minnetonka with a large slope along the shoreline;the existing retaining walls <br /> are made of concrete and the new proposed walls will be boulders to match the neighboring walls.Ms. <br /> Oakden said most of the walls will following the same footprint as the existing walls with some slight <br /> variations.The Applicant is hoping to proactively prevent any further erosion and stabilize the area. Staff <br /> finds there to be practical difficulties for allowing the Applicant to rebuild and install new retaining walls <br /> within the lake yard. The retaining walls would support and protect the slope. Staff would recommend <br /> adding additional screening of the walls to preserve a natural,vegetated view from the lake.Ms. Oakden <br /> noted one letter of support was received. <br /> Chair Kirchner opened the public hearing at 6:05 p.m. <br /> Melissa Santrach, 1700 Bohns Point Road,lives in the house right next door and sent the letter. She urged <br /> the Commissioners to allow this as they can see the condition of the existing concrete wall. <br /> Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. <br /> Ressler is familiar with this property and it seems manageable,prevents erosion,and he is in support of <br /> Staffs recommendation. <br /> Page 1 of 9 <br />