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Planning & Zoning Board <br />January 9, 2002 <br />Page 20 <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />Mr. Asleson noted the staff report indicated the requested rezoning would allow 1.8 units <br />per acre. However, because there is only approximately four acres of upland area, he <br />questioned why seven units were being proposed. <br />Mr. Asleson stated many years ago he worked on a bridge crew to pay his way through <br />college and a close friend currently runs a family business in North Dakota building <br />bridges. He could not recall ever building a bridge with only 31 feet of pilings. He <br />questioned who will be responsible for inspecting and approving the construction of the <br />private road and bridge and who will design the bridge. He also questioned who would <br />be responsible for the bridge if the private ownership does not pan out. <br />Mr. Asleson noted the applicant has not provided any written approval from the Rice <br />Creek Watershed District. <br />Mr. Asleson stated he had received a bridge permit two summers ago for land he owns in <br />northern Minnesota. He stated his bridge was basically a box car with the top removed. <br />He indicated the requirements of the Department of Natural Resources at that time had <br />been very loose and only required that the bridge not impact the water. <br />Mr. Asleson noted in its report to the City, the Department of Natural Resources had <br />indicated that Ward Lake is a Natural Environment basin and has a structure setback <br />requirement of 150 feet, and a Shore Impact Zone of 75 feet. Additionally, the report <br />cited the loss of virtually all vegetation on the island during grading and that the location <br />of the proposed road is entirely in the Shore Impact Zone and cannot meet the required <br />setback. <br />Mr. Asleson indicated the high water marks had been determined in 1991 and he <br />questioned the accuracy of those marks and whether this needed updating. He believed <br />in the last 10 years the water level has changed. <br />Mr. Asleson stated the Department of Natural Resources’ website states that the <br />Shoreland Management Act regulates all land within 1,000 feet of a lake and 300 feet of <br />a river in a designated flood plane. Additionally, the Shoreland Management Act <br />requires local units of government with priority shoreland to adopt these or stricter <br />standards into their zoning ordinances. <br />Mr. Asleson indicated the Department of Natural Resources has classified Wards Lake as <br />a natural environment lake. He noted the guidelines for a natural environment lake, <br />which require a lot area of 40,000 square feet, lot width of 125 feet and structure setback <br />of 150 feet. He indicated that per the prelim inary plat four of the seven lots would be <br />less than 125 feet wide and all seven lots appear to be less than 40,000 square feet in <br />area. <br />Mr. Asleson indicated his father was a devel oper for many years and he did not want Mr. <br />Vaughn to be prevented from utilizing his land as he sees fit. However, at this point he