02/12/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Planning & Zoning Board February 12, 1997 Page 16 Mr. J.P. Houchins, 7284 Stagecoach Trail, stated that this amendment will increase impervious surface in PDO development from 35 percent to 50 percent. He is vigorously opposed to the amendment and urged the Board to protect the City's natural resources. The amendment has been presented as a mistake, but he does not believe that to be the case. He distributed copies of a transcript of the public hearing that was held when the ordinance was passed. It was reviewed in January 1995, and a number of questions were raised. The public hearing was continued for two months. In those two months Mr. Brixius had the opportunity to clarify a number of issues and contact the DNR. Mr. Houchins noted that the transcript clearly indicates the intention to allow 35 percent of impervious surface and require 50 percent open space. Mr. Houchins stated that he does not know the reason for this ordinance change, but does not believe it is in the best interests of the City. Both the Metropolitan Council and Watershed District take samples of water quality every summer. Water in Marshan Lake is ranked F; Peltier Lake ranks D; Baldwin Lake is F, etc. The only way to improve water quality is to be vigilant. Chair Schaps asked how water quality is defined and how a ranking of F compares with other lakes in the metro area. Mr. Houchins responded that a ranking of F is the dirtiest 10 percent of tested water. The ranking is based on phosphorous and chlorophyll content and transparency. Water is flowing from remote locations, and he urged the Board to not weaken the standards of the Shoreland ordinance that would increase the pollution of lakes. Holding ponds are a good measure of prevention and remove 50 percent of the pollution before the water flows into the lakes. Mr. Houchins stated that if 50 percent impervious surface is allowed, the vast majority of that open space is concentrated at the shoreline because of the setback requirements. Mr. Johnson asked what the practical implication would be to Marshan Shores development if the ordinance were changed. Mr. Houchins stated that with the maximum limit of 35 percent impervious surface, there would have to be more green space between buildings. Mr. Brixius stated that with the last approval with maximum density for Marshan Shores Townhomes, impervious surface was at 35 percent and open space at 50 percent including what is planned for commercial. This is the specific application that raised the confusion regarding shoreland regulations. When the development was originally presented, the City did not have shoreland regulations, and the developer was pushing the issue under the old regulations. He noted that there are 200 -foot setbacks from the lake before the first