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Mounds View Planning Commission April 19, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 5 _______________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson stated the matter before the Planning Commission is not for the Amundsen case but for clarification on retaining walls, terraces and fences. He stated the other matter is they need to define what a retaining wall is. This is an opportunity, if the Planning Commission feels it is worthwhile, to look at the definition of a retaining wall and determine if it should be setback. The City is comfortable with how they have been applying the code. They will be getting a determination from the City Attorney on April 24, 2006 regarding this. The only mention of retaining walls is in the fence section of the code. Chair Stevenson stated if they are going to define retaining walls he would like to discuss how other cities define it. Commissioner Hegland indicated he did not see a reason why they should require a railing along a retaining wall. Chair Stevenson thought it was a safety issue. He would like to not restrict retaining walls and does not want a setback for them, but thinks they should be off the property line like fences. Director Ericson thought a fence on top of a retaining wall might be helpful on a public retaining wall but he did not think it was necessary on a private retaining wall. Director Ericson proposed the chapter heading should read: Fencing, Screening, Retaining Walls and Landscaping. He stated retaining walls could be defined within the Landscaping sections and then include subdivision six titled “Retaining Walls” with the fact that it may read similar to the location “a fence or retaining wall shall be installed on the property line but not directly on the property line”. He stated staff will come up with some language and bring it back for discussion. Commissioner Hegland wondered if they wanted to change the fence height requirement to the State requirement of four feet. Director Ericson did not think there was a height issue with residents so he did not think the Commission should change it. Commissioner Hull wondered if they had many situations with a retaining wall and a fence. Director Ericson stated there were a few but not many. Mrs. Amundsen wondered if they needed to define terraces also. Chair Stevenson did not think they needed to do this because a landscaping terrace is an encroachment to the home. He thought a terrace was considered a patio. Mrs. Amundsen thought her definition of a terrace was different than the Planning Commission definition. Director Ericson thought they could define a terrace. Where it differentiates from a patio is the use. It all depends on what the use is. He stated he would not have a problem with adding a definition but did not think it was needed at this time. Chair Stevenson thought what they have in the Code for a terrace was adequate. Commissioner Miller thought they needed to have a definition for a terrace along with a retaining wall. Chair