02/07/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE #: 3 REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FROM MAXIMUM SLOPE GRADES; CASE OF JOHN ENSTROM By: City Engineer Steve Jankowski Background: As you may recall, John Enstrom has a grading permit to excavate soils and create a pond on his property. Ramsey City Code establishes a maximum slope grade of 1' in 12'. This standard was established with the creation of new neighborhoods in mind. It does not take into account creating ponds for which a steeper slope is desirable. Mr. Enstron applied for a variance from the 1' in 12' maximum slope grade to for the shorelines of his pond. The following items are enclosed for your information: a) b) c) d) c) d) Site location Site Plan Request dated 1/14/02 Letter to Commissioners dated 1/28/02 Proposed Findings of Facts Proposed Variance Notification: In accordance with State Statute, City Staff attempted to notify persons within 350 feet of the Subject Property of the request for variance and the public hearing. Observations: Section 9.11.18 sub 11 (a) pertains to site restoration on projects requiring grading, mining, and filling permits. This section states: The peaks and depressions of the work site shall be graded to a surface which will result in a gently rolling topography, in substantial conformity to the land area immediately surrounding the work site and which will minimize erosion due to rainfall. No finsihes slope shall exceed 12% in grade". It is somewhat apparent that this code was written to address the restoration of upland areas, where the removal of large quantities of soil might otherwise result an unnatural looking depression. In the case of a pond, it would not be unusual to find a slope greater than 12% leading to a water body at the bottom. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (USACOE) had established standards associated with the construction of ponds which require maximum slopes entering such water bodies to be no steeper than five feet horzontal to one foot verticle.