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Community Assets & <br /> Development Department <br /> <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />DATE: June 12, 2015 <br /> <br />TO: Planning Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Janice Gundlach, Asst. Director of Community Assets & <br />Development/Planning Director <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Draft Shoreland Ordinance Follow-Up on Fences & Play Structures <br /> <br />At the Planning Commission work session held on May 19, 2015 the Commission <br />discussed the draft Shoreland Ordinance. At the request of the Planning Commission, <br />additional research and follow-up was requested on fences and play structures. This <br />memo and attachments provides the follow-up information requested by the Commission. <br />On behalf of City staff, WSB performed follow-up research on both items. Supplemental <br />information is attached. <br /> <br />With regard to fences, WSB examined how the shoreland communities of Lake Johanna <br />and Turtle Lake address fences in shoreland areas. A table and graphic is provided in the <br />supplemental information that compares what staff had proposed for fences in New <br />Brighton and what regulations the underlying communities of Lake Johanna (Arden <br />Hills) and Turtle Lake (Shoreview) enforce in their shoreland areas. What was found is <br />that both Arden Hills and Shoreview handle fences in a similar manner as proposed by <br />staff in the draft Shoreland Ordinance. Neither Arden Hills nor Shoreview enforces <br />average lakeshore setbacks for fences in efforts to protect view-sheds when homes are <br />farther from the lake than the required 50’ lake setback. The Planning Commission <br />should discuss how to proceed on fence regulations landward of the 50’ lake setback and <br />provide direction to staff. <br /> <br />With regard to play structures, WSB performed additional research and found that <br />regulations on play apparatuses in shoreland areas are rare. Staff advises the Commission <br />discuss the different types of play structures, their method of anchoring to the ground, <br />and make a recommendation on whether to exempt them from shoreland rules (and thus <br />permit them within the required 50’ lake setback) or restrict them in some manner. <br /> <br />WSB staff and city staff will be available for questions at the work session and look <br />forward to a good discussion. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />Supplemental information on fences <br />Supplemental information on play structures <br />Draft Shoreland Ordinance