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Mounds View City Council January 7, 2002 Special Meeting Page 8 • Director Ericson rovided a summ of the case for Council review and noted that Rice Creek p ~Y Watershed has tabled approval of the subdivision with authorization for administrative approval pending receipt of title documents. Director Ericson indicated that after considerable discussion the Planning Commission decided, though not by unanimous vote, that the applicant did not meet the hardship requirements and denied the variance. Director Ericson indicated that Staff is of the opinion that a hardship could be justified in this case because of the expectation of development established when the utilities were run to the property. He then indicated that Staff is still of the opinion that there is enough justification that hardship could be established but noted that Staff is concerned about the suitability of the soils and hydrology in the area and would like to see soil borings to determine whether the lots would be buildable. Barbara Koziak of 5173 Red Oak Drive indicated that she bought her property in 1973 and was told that the stretch of land between Long View Drive and Silver Lake Road was a wetland and would stay a wetland. She then indicated that, while the property around the wetland is not wet enough to qualify as waterfront property, it is very wet. She also indicated that she had heard that the peat goes down 80 feet but said she has no evidence of that. Ms. Koziak indicated she was concerned that the changes to the water table, because of the addition of the homes with impervious surfaces, would damage her property by causing water to build up on it. She then commented that she feels adding eight houses to the area is questionable but eleven would be inappropriate. Dave Tillman of 5166 Longview Drive indicated he wanted Council to be aware of the fact that the eleven lots will meet the 20,000 square foot requirement but the people buying them are buying half swamp and the City will be responsible to make sure that the owners do not fill in the wetland. He then asked the City to uphold the ordinance because it was established to protect the wetlands. He also asked if an environmental assessment had been done. Council Member Stigney asked Community Development Director Ericson or the City Engineer to respond to the water and peat questions raised. Rocky Keehn, SEH indicated he had done a brief review of the proposed subdivision and indicated there is a ditch to stabilize water flows. He then recommended looking at the high water level to determine whether there would be an impact. He also suggested checking to see what type of impact the additional runoff would have on the overall storm water management of the City. •