BZ Packet 02.24.22 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Central Region Headquarters 1200 Warner Road Saint Paul, MN 55106 February 17, 2022 Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant City of Hugo 14669 Fitzgerald Avenue North Hugo, MN 55038 Re: Tennyson Variance Application, 12582 Ingersoll Avenue, Hugo Dear Emily Weber, Thank you for notifying DNR of the upcoming hearing to discuss the Tennyson variance application for the property at 12582 Ingersoll Avenue North in Hugo. In the course of reviewing the applicant’s request for a variance to allow an accessory structure to be built 6.9 feet from the ordinary high water level (OHWL) of Sunset Lake, I observed a 2021 aerial photo in Google Maps that appears to show intensive removal of trees along the property’s shoreline. When compared to aerial photos from 2020 in the Washington County Property Viewer, it’s apparent that the removal has resulted in a substantial reduction in shading of the lake water surface and in screening of the garage as viewed from the water during summer, leaf-on conditions. The vegetation removal appears to be inconsistent with Sec. 90-181(i) of the city’s code and the state’s shoreland management standards. In addition to screening structures and providing shade, I note that shoreline vegetation is critical for preventing erosion and stabilizing shorelines. Please see the attached DNR’s guidance document on variances from OHWL setback standards in shoreland. Should the city determine that the factual findings support granting the variance, I recommend the city impose conditions requiring establishment of shoreline vegetation to restore screening of the accessory structure as viewed from the water. DNR’s Maintaining and Restoring Natural Shorelines webpage is a useful resource. Sincerely, Dan Scollan East Metro Area Hydrologist cc: Dan Petrik, DNR Lake & River Shoreland Program Manager John (Jack) Gleason, DNR South District Hydrologist Supervisor Attachments: Shoreland & Floodplain Variance Guidance Series – OHWL Setbacks