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A sub-issue related to the definition of structure is whether a retaining wall is <br /> considered a structure. This is important as any road connection to Sunset <br /> Creek Lane will require significant grading that could be reduced with the use <br /> of retaining walls. Alternately, the City Council could determine that retaining <br /> walls associated with road construction are not residential structures. Finally, <br /> the City Council could determine that retaining walls of a certain size are <br /> structures. A possible threshold for such a determination would be retaining <br /> walls where the top of the wall to the bottom of the footing exceeds four feet, <br /> as that is the threshold at which an engineered retaining wall is required. The <br /> Planning Commission was supportive of this option. <br /> • Option Two: <br /> If the City Council decides that roads are structures, then any road connection <br /> from the project to Sunset Creek Lane cannot be constructed without grading <br /> areas of 25-percent slope, which would arguably not comply with <br /> Measure PP. A connection to Sunset Creek Lane via McCutchen Court could <br /> be designed to avoid 25-percent slopes but would require approval by the <br /> Sycamore Heights Homeowners Association. Because securing approval of <br /> the Homeowners Association is unlikely, this option is considered infeasible. <br /> All project traffic from the 50 lots of the Lund Ranch II development would <br /> then have to use Lund Ranch Road. <br /> 5. Including/Excluding Artificial Slopes Over 25 Percent <br /> Measure PP is clear that there shall be no grading to construct residential or <br /> commercial structures on 25-percent slopes or greater. It is not clear, however, if <br /> this prohibition includes artificial or manufactured slopes created before <br /> Measure PP. The interpretation of Measure PP in this area is important due to <br /> the proposed location of Lots 28 through 30 and 33 through 39, a total of 10 lots, <br /> and a portion of the project's public street and terminus cul-de-sac, all proposed <br /> on land that appears to have been previously graded to exceed a 25-percent <br /> slope. Figure 6, on the following page, illustrates portions of the site with artificial <br /> slopes over 25 percent. <br /> Page 14 of 26 <br />