03-19-91 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 19, 1991 PAGE 4 M/S/P Mottaz/Williams - to deny the variance due to lack of demonstrated hardship, and that the proposed addition would increase the amount of non -conformity. (Plotion carried 3-1, against: Hunt - feels the addition does not have any impact on future variances should the septic system fail, the proposed addition is farther away from the shoreland than the existing structure, DNR had no problems with the proposal provided that stated hardship could be given, and because of the unique topography of the land there is really only one place you could go with an addition and code makes a statement to the effect if someone in a zoning district is denied something that is reasonably accessible to others in that zoning district a variance could be granted and the hardship would be the topography of the land). C. Discussion with Sunfish Lake property owners regarding diverting water into Sunfish Lake. Staff invited residents on Sunfish Lake to discuss the possibility of diverting water, that drains from the north into the middle of the Old Village, into Sunfish Lake. Several of the residents attended the meeting. Chuck Harstad, 3503 Kelvin Ave., asked if there would be a shut off or a way to control the amount of water flowing into the lake? Also, would the water be clean. City Engineer Prew stated the lake is land locked, there is no outlet, therefore there would not be a way of diverting the water away if the water level got too high with out constructing a project through the Old Village for all the water from Schiltgens fields. There has not been any studies or a feasibility report done on the quality of the water. Pete Schiltgen presented reason why this water diversion will not work. The culverts running under County Road 17 divert the water from his fields towards Highway 5, towards Gerbitz, and eventually to the Railroad tracks. He plows his fields the way they're supposed to be plowed, against prevailing winds. Mr. Schiltgen stated the water problem in Lake Elmo is unsolvable. Councilman Dick Johnson stated he felt by diverting some of the water into Sunfish Lake it would help relieve some of the flooding in the Old Village, apparently this would not divert enough for it to be cost effective. But, this idea might help the fishery in Sunfish Lake by keeping the water level up to avoid a winter kill. Councilman Mottaz stated the water might be nutrient rich which may not be desirable. This diversion would only divert 5% of the water from the Downs Lake Watershed. However, according to the USGS map two-thirds of the drainage area that now flows through the Old Village would be diverted to Sunfish Lake. M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to call a public hearing for April 16, 1991 for 33rd Street and Laverne Avenue including the drainage project without diverting water to Sunfish Lake, and the public hearing notice shall state the feasibility report will be available for view at City Hall