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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for October 7th, 2020 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2020\20-017 3493 Siems Court - Var\PC Packets Page 5 of 10 City Code Section 1330.03 Subd. 7 states that in Shore Impact Zones and on steep slopes, limited clearing of trees and shrubs for access to the shoreline, and cutting, pruning, and trimming of trees is allowed provided that a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of the Shore Impact Zone be left in its natural state. There is a 30 foot grade difference in 100 feet, which creates a steep slope to transport lake items up to store in the garage. The Applicant states in their narrative that the grade in the rear of the property is difficult enough to have warranted the construction of a switchback grass trail for a golf cart to bring elderly family members and those less physically-able from the driveway down to the lake. This would also make it difficult to locate an accessory structure for storage elsewhere on the property. The proposal to locate the storage shed within the Shore Impact Zone that would prevent clearing of trees and shrubs for access elsewhere on the slope of the back yard and maintain that minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of the Shore Impact Zone. Topographic Overlay of 3493 Siems Court, depicting the change in elevation on the Subject Property. City Code Section 1330.03 Subd. 7 continues that, “the minimal amount of vegetation shall be altered and sufficient vegetative cover shall remain to screen cars, dwellings and other structures when viewed from public waters. Except for the removal of invasive species, clear cutting of vegetation shall be prohibited. Native vegetation shall be restored insofar as feasible after any construction project is completed to retard surface runoff and soil erosion.” The Applicant mentions within the narrative provided to staff that the existing deck would be made more unobtrusive by adding natural, deep-rooting vegetation around specific areas near the proposed storage structure, creating more coverage and reducing phosphorous runoff. The Applicant argues that this would protect the shoreland after development by reducing the runoff that would otherwise cause water pollution and decreasing the need for additional stormwater treatment infrastructure.