Narrative7/17/2015
Variance Request for 3892 Lone Cedar Lane, Chaska, MN 55318
The current timber retaining walls at 3892 Lone Cedar Lane, Chaska, MN 55318
need to be replaced as they are materially deteriorated and pose a safety risk to the
property owners family and their guests. The proposed plan will replace the timber
retaining walls with granite block retaining walls. Based on a meeting at the
property location with the City Manager and Water Resources Coordinator to
review the unique property attributes, a variance is being requested to move the
upper retaining wall approximately 10 feet to the east of its current location which
will increase the height of the upper retaining wall to 12 feet due to the slope of the
land. The length of the upper retaining wall (running north to south) will not extend
beyond its current length. The lower timber retaining wall will remain in its current
location and will be replaced with granite block. Through extensive conversations
with the City of Chanhassen Water Resources Coordinator, the following has been
incorporated into the proposed plan:
1. Plantings such as fescues, nannyberries, dwarf -bush honeysuckle, big
bluestem, little bluestem, prairie cordgrass, dogwoods, black eyed susans,
prairie coneflower, cardinal flower, sunflower, blazingstar, lilly, bee balm,
sun sedge or Karl Foerster reed grass will be used on the majority of the land
between the proposed upper retaining and the lower retaining wall to
maintain an area that is natural in appearance, provides screening from the
lake, offers erosion prevention and sediment control and provides surface
water benefits.
2. The four gutter drainage lines on the lake side of the property currently
funneling water to the north and south sides of the property will be placed
underground and tie into the drainage line that will run under the center of
the retaining walls to address erosion issues in its current state.
Finally, please see the attached letters from several neighboring lake property
owners showing support for plans we have proposed to the City of Chanhassen.
Sincerely,
Ryan and Tina Johnson