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rnoruing. One of the thoughts is that there will, eventually be need for a different building, <br />however, that will be years down the road. The current need would be for a temporary classroom <br /> facility that would provide them with more usable space. Public Works Director Kapler <br />explained the structure would be placed in the parking lot and would be strictly an administrative <br />area. One option would be a trailer, and another option xvould be a garage type of building <br />designed so it could be placed in another location and used as a garage in the future. The <br />consensus of the Committee was to have staff proceed in gathering information regarding a <br />trailer facility to be used as a temporary structure to provide more space for the Public Works <br />staff. ~ <br /> <br />Case #3: Consider Policy on Retaining Walls <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski indicated it has been recently brought to the City's attention that several <br />homes within the Highland at River Park subdivision have constructed retaining walls within the <br />drainage and utility easement placed over an area subject to ponding. This presents the <br />possibility that the City may become involved in complaints or litigation in the event that a high <br />water event causes damage to the wall. However more significantly, the construction of the <br />retaining wall usually includes filling behind the wail which results in a reduction in capac2y of <br />the pond volume to hold the design storm event. At the present time no permits are required for <br />the construction of a retaining wall unless it exceeds four feet in height. Additionally, even <br />retaining walls ~eater than four feet in height can be constructed without a permit if they are <br />constructed in ten'aced lifts with each individual lift being less than four feet. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski advised the City should consider some measures to protect the capacity <br />of the storm water ponds that have been constructed to protect structures fi'om flooding. It is <br />suggested that the City adopt a policy which specifically prohibits the construction of retaining <br />walls within drainage and utility easements. Attached to this case is a draft policy which <br />prohibits the construction of retaining walls within drainage and utility easements. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson indicated another option would be to require a permit for <br />every retaining wail. He explained just because a retaining wall is put in, it does not mean it will <br />affect the volume of the pond, however, there could be a situation where people are near the edge <br />of the two foot gap they are given, and enough retaining walls around the pond will cause a <br />problem. Staff has determined there should be a requirement that retaining walls are not allowed <br />in utility and drainage easements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook questioned if there are any circumstances where the City may not want to <br />permit a retaining wall, other than in easements, and if it would make sense to require permits for <br />retaining walls. He noted there could be a situation where a retaining wall would stop drainage <br />of the neighborhood that runs tttrough someone's yard. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied staff would be open to this. There would have to <br />be a fee attached to the permit. <br /> <br />Chairperson Zimmerman asked if other cities require permits for retaining walls. <br /> <br />$0 <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/July 20, 2004 <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />