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Council asks applicant to revise North Shore Drive CUP landscaping, seeks native/noninvasive plantings
Summary
After finding that installed retaining walls exceeded approved plans and the new landscaping plan included nonnative and invasive species, the council sent the conditional-use permit back to staff and asked the applicant to provide a revised plan emphasizing native, noninvasive species.
The Orono City Council pulled an after-the-fact conditional-use permit for retaining walls on North Shore Drive after staff and council members found the installed walls were larger than the approved plan and the submitted landscaping plan included nonnative and invasive species.
A councilmember explained that recent code amendments require bluff-zone retaining walls be the minimum size necessary to control erosion, and that the applicant’s constructed walls had more massing within the 75-foot bluff zone than approved. Council members focused their concerns on the landscaping plan, noting it listed plant species that were nonnative and, in one instance, invasive (English ivy).
Staff told council that while the ordinance does not require only native species, the city prefers planting that stabilizes slopes and supports erosion control. The planner said the council could either approve with direction for staff to work with the applicant to refine the planting list or have the applicant return with a revised planting plan.
Applicant Matt Jasper, who spoke to the council at the podium, said he had originally planned to use native plants and offered to remove the invasive species. Jasper asked the council to avoid repeated requests that would require multiple returns to council; he said he was willing to work with staff and change plantings if required.
Council moved to table the item and send it back to staff with direction that the revised landscaping plan incorporate native species and noninvasive plants. The motion passed (voice vote) and the council asked staff to return with a plan that more clearly demonstrates slope stability, native planting choices and erosion control measures.
Councilmembers also discussed using DNR resources and providing clearer guidance in the city ordinance so applicants have defined expectations for lakeshore bluff landscaping.
Staff said the application timeline allows time for the applicant to revise plans before the next decision deadline in June.
