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Mounds View City Council July 25, 1988 Regular Meeting Page Five buildable lots. He stated Mr. Harstad was given the opportunity to purchase the land he needed, but it was his position that it was the responsibility of the City to provide access, and he felt that was common with other cities in which he did business, and he chose not to purchase the land as he felt it would be setting a precedent against him. Mr. Merila stated they had conducted a survey of other municipalities in the metro area, for their requirements of lot size, width and building setback in wetland areas, and while the survey had been presented to the City earlier, he reviewed the findings of their contact with the 41 municipalities, stating that only four, including Mounds View, did have requirements and Mounds View's were the most restrictive. Mr. Merila reviewed what the other municipalities required, stating he felt they were more than adequate. He added he feels they have adequate area here to develop the lots and still provide protection of the wetland area. Councilmember Hankner asked if Mr. Merila was suggesting those other cities set their own standards for develop- ment in a wetland. Mr. Merila replied he was not sure of what their proce- dure was, as their discovery had been done via ordinance. Councilmember Hankner inquired how they arrived at setting standards. Mr. Merila replied cities usually do some investigation and then use sound reasoning for setting their standards. He added Mounds View's 125' minimum width requirement is by far the most restrictive, as well as the setback requirement of 100' from the wetland. He stated most of the wetland in the metro area is similar in nature. Upon further questicriing by Councilmember Hankner, Mr. Merila admitted wetlands are very unique and not similar. Mr. Merila stated the Arriy Corps of Engineers has taken control of the majority of wetlands, and they have a permitting process which is required, and they have taken a much stronger role in this than they had in past years. He added he feels the hardship was created with the original plat in 1981, and that Mounds View is overly restrictive in its requirements. Councilmember Hankner pointed out the opportunity was given to Mr. Harstad in 1981 t^ "1rchase the land he needed to have access to his lots, but he felt it was the City's responsibility to provide access, so even aft he knew the City was not going to provide it, he still chose not to do it himself.