Stearns County planning commission recommends approval for Lake Koronis shoreline wall replacement with conditions

The Stearns County Planning Commission on July 24 recommended approval of a conditional use permit to replace and largely reconstruct failing retaining walls and stabilize a steep bluff at 14933 Old Lake Road on Lake Koronis.

The request, filed by TDC Properties LLC of Shakopee, Minnesota, seeks authorization under Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance No. 439 (sections 10.20.14.d and 10.20.14.i) for “major shoreland alteration” including retaining walls over 4 feet in cumulative height in the shore impact zone. Staff told the commission the site has “approximately 26 feet of elevation change within 45 feet of the lake” and highly erodible soils; plans call for replacing the existing walls largely in place, about an 800-square-foot reduction in impervious surface and native vegetation plantings across much of the front of the walls.

County staff emphasized the engineering-driven nature of the proposal and the lack of viable non-structural…