HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-25 OPH Ltr to Homeowner Re Drainage CITY G1
®AK PARK HEIGHTS
�� ... 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No. • P.O. Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 -2007 ° Phone: 651/439 -4439 • Fax: 651/439 -0574
August 25, 2004
Mr. Dennis Potter
14174 Upper 54 Street
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Re: Drainage Along Your Back Lot Line
Dear Mr. Potter;
First I would like to apologize for the lateness of this letter. The review of your drainage
was requested in June as I was transitioning out of the Public Works Director's position.
Your lot was originally, designed with a slope from your house to the drainage swell
along your back lot line. The former owner of your lot flattened the yard by adding the
railroad tie retaining wall along the lot line without the knowledge or permission of the
City. This retaining wall restricts the flow of water from your yard and changed it from
"sheet" flow distributed across the whole lot to acting like a dam directing the water to
the east to the end of the wall where it flows through a small area into the storm sewer.
Your property folder indicates that in 1993 the former owner requested a building permit
to build a fence. When the building inspector came to inspect the fence he discovered that
a retaining wall had been built within the drainage easement. The City directed the
former owner to remove the retaining wall. After several City Council meetings,
exchanges of letters from lawyers and letters from neighbors, the City Council at its
December 23, 1993 meeting agreed to expend up to $1,500 to implement Option 2 of the
Bonestroo Engineering report and allow the retaining wall to remain.
The erosion that you have requested reviewed is the result of a self - imposed condition by
the former owner. The City has no responsibility to correct the erosion on your property.
If your retaining was were to be causing erosion on the neighbor's property the City
would direct you to remove the wall. The most obvious solution to your drainage
problem would be to remove the retaining wall and re -grade your backyard.
If you have any questions you can contact my replacement, Mr. Tom Ozzello or the City
Administrator Mr. Eric Johnson.
Sincerely;
ay E. son, P.E.
Public Works Consultant
CC: Tom Ozzello, Public Works Director
Eric Johnson, City Administrator
Property File
Attachment Pictures taken June 8, 2004
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