5.a) Staff Report-Grading Plan Required
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: January 7, 2014
To: Planning Commission
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: When to Require a Grading Plan
Background:
Over the last few months, when reviewing applications for variances, some members of the
commission have expressed an interest in requiring a grading plan to accompany an application.
The Planning Commission should have a general discussion on what they need in order to
evaluate an application. If a grading plan is required, how will the Planning Commission
evaluate it?
Issue:
When should a grading plan be required with submittals for variances and other planning and
zoning applications?
Proposal Details:
Chap. 1, Section 6.5 lays out the procedures for variances and the informational requirements.
Subsection (1) (B) gives the discretion to the Zoning Administrator to determine what is required
from Sec. 11 in order to get a complete and clear definition and understanding of the request.
The Planning Commission may provide suggestions as to when the Zoning Administrator should
require a grading plan. For example, when steep slopes (12% or greater) are to be disturbed,
shoreland parcels with blufflines or other unique topographical features, or some other criteria
determined by the Planning Commission. Alternatively, the Planning Commission could decide
to require a grading plan with all applications.
Fiscal Impact:
Each grading plan costs roughly $300 for the City Engineer to review. Some applicants may
also pay fees to a consultant of their own to develop the plan if they don’t have those technical
skills themselves.