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Mounds View City Council May 27, 2014 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br /> <br />Mr. Tillman explained he did not oppose the subdivision, but did oppose the variances. He <br />stated City Code would only allow for eight houses within the wetland buffer zone. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty explained the variances were approved to protect the wetland and ensure that no <br />further development occurred on the rear of the property. <br /> <br />Mrs. Tillman asked again, who would build and develop the property. Mr. Harstad stated he <br />would be selling the lots outright to a single builder. <br /> <br />Mrs. Tillman questioned what type of homes would be built on the parcel. Mr. Harstad indicated <br />the homes would be valued around $300,000. <br /> <br />Hearing no further public input, Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn asked if the homes would be built all at once or over time. Mr. Harstad <br />commented he could not anticipate how quickly the lots would sell and be developed. However, <br />he anticipated that the lots would sell quickly as he had three builders vying for the property. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller stated she has lived in the area for 30+ years and noted she referred to <br />this property as the swamp as well. She questioned if these homes would require drain tile and <br />sump pumps. Mr. Harstad indicated there was a drain pipe running through the property <br />currently. He discussed how the storm sewer drain would be redirected and treated prior to being <br />discharged into the storm pond. He reported that all homes were built with drain tile these days <br />and Mounds View homes were encouraged to have sump pumps. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller inquired how long the Harstad’s have owned this property. Mr. <br />Harstad responded his family has owned this property his entire life and the water and sewer <br />stubs have been in place for the past 30 years. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller requested further information on the amount of space the new <br />homeowners within Longview Estates would have in their rear yard. Mr. Harstad reviewed a <br />best guess plan for the lots that was approved by Rice Creek Watershed noting the rear yards <br />would have approximately 20 feet of space. He explained that large boulders would be placed in <br />the rear yards to ensure residents do not further encroach on the wetland. He believed that future <br />homeowners would see the wetland as an amenity and would not be seeking large backyards. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause reiterated that Mr. Harstad has agreed to clean up the deadfall and <br />debris in the outlot before turning this property over to the City. Planning Associate Heller stated <br />this was the case. <br /> <br />Council Member Hull asked if this property would have any large piles of dirt. Mr. Harstad <br />clarified that the dirt mound from Red Oak would be moved to Longview and no new mounds <br />would be created. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty questioned how safe it was to build homes on in-filled wetland. Mr. Harstad