05-07-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 7, 2002 Barbara Allan pointed out that the majority of the Turnquist/Palmen property is a protected wetland. The criteria for achieving the status of protected wetland relates to how well the property is forested as well as the type of wildlife inhabiting the area. Allan pointed out the aerial photograph of the area and noted that the majority of the trees are in the area where a road would be constructed if the property were developed. There would also be a great deal of ftll that would need to be brought in for this road. Allan presented pictures of a^ oal< tree and oak cluster that exists on the property and noted that there is a bald eagle living on the property. She was concerned that the removal of these trees would eliminate the habitat for the bald eagle. Allan also expressed concern for the pipeline and indicated that she has done a lot of research on pipeline disasters. Allan reported on a disaster that occurred under similar circwnstances that results in petroleum products leaking into a wetland and then downstream. The result was approximately $8 million in damages. Allan presented a picture of the Mid Oal<s area prior to development that showed a large body of standing water. Allan pointed out that this displacement of wetland was never mitigated and she was concerned about the elimination of wetlands. Allan pointed obit that in considering the amount of mitigation needed, consideration is given to 10-year storm events. She indicated that there was a 100-year event in 1965, and urged that mitigation be based on a 100-year event. Allan referred to the property as negligible land and questioned this term. She pointed out that the property was valued at $30,000 in the 1970's and was sold for $30,000 in 1994. Allan pointed out that when 'i'urnquist sold the property, he was a carpenter and suggested that given this trade he would have known the value of the property. Allan questioned how the value of the land can increase from $>0,000 to over $500,000 in just 8 years. Fahey pointed out that the County recently reclassified this property as developable property which he felt explains part of the reason for the value increase. Fahey also pointed out that if the City decides to acquire the property, the City will have to deal with the present facts. I'he City Administrator pointed out that at the time Turnquist owned the property he did not have access to McMenemy Street. The value of the property jumped when Mr. Palmen acquired it and could combine it with his property abutting McMenemy Street thus providing access to the entire site. The Administrator did not believe that the change from tax-exempt status to taxable status made by the County aiTected the property value. 7