07/28/2004 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • The developer has submitted a new preliminary plat for your review. The Preliminary Plat meets all of the City Requirements (inside growth area, MUSA area, asking for no variances, meets zoning requirements, etc.) Analysis: This plan is a minimum acceptable plan in terms of greenway considerations. The plan will work for a minimum consideration of a greenway with room for a trail. However, environmentally we are trying do accomplish as much as we can with buffering, and capturing unique resources. A number of environmental issues could be improved in this proposal with the use of a Conservation Development approach. The approach would involve MNRAM (Minnesota Rapid Assessment Methodology) assessment of wetlands, meeting with the TAP (Technical Advisory Panel) of the Bureau of Soil and Water, and hopefully enabling some flexibility in moving some of the wetlands on the East side of the property. Through this redesign, it is believed that we could create more functional and valuable wetlands, maintain the desired spaces for houses for the developer, while increasing the amount of green space available for greenway. The developer has dropped the number of proposed lots to 56 on this plan from 64 on the original plan. We might also be able to save more of the tree areas using the Conservation Development approach, and be able to incorporate some very functional surface -water treatment features such as rain gardens. A stewardship program could be initiated through the establishment of a trust -fund and association fees. The trust fund would ensure the care of Conservation Areas in the development. The Homeowners Association would own the Conservation easement. The original concerns of the Environmental Board still hold. Since at this writing, we do not have soil boring information, there is no way to discern whether pond /infiltration areas are 3 feet above the seasonally high water table. Also, there are no approvals from the Rice Creek Watershed District. The wetland delineation was accepted by the watershed. In my opinion, there are some questionable wetland areas that were omitted from the delineation. Plant indicators in these areas include Spirea, Royal, and Sensitive fern. Options: 1. Conditional recommendation of approval 2. Recommend Council not to approve.