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Item No. /6 E Staff Report No. Meeting Date: December 13, 1999 Type of Business: CB City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor & City Council From: James Ericson, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Consideration of Resolution 5401, a Resolution Approving a Wetland Buffer Permit at 2551 Ridge Lane, requested by owner, Jamie Sharp. Date of Report: December 8, 1999 Background: The subject property, located at the northwest corner of Long Lake Road and Ridge Lane, lies within 100 feet of a wetland, as shown on the attached survey and wetland delineation, performed by Arlig Environmental, Inc., and verified by Tony Brough of the Rice Creek Watershed District. The applicant, Jamie Sharp, would like permission to construct a single-family dwelling on this property, which is zoned R-1, Single-Family Residential. Because the City has no tree preservation ordinance and no restrictions against tree removal, the applicant has already begun clearing his lot in anticipation of future development. The City Council has found that wetlands within the City, as part of the ecosystem, are critical to the present and future health, safety and general welfare of the land, animals and people within the City, as well as within the Rice Creek Watershed District. In addition, the City Council has in mind its statutory obligation to comply with Chapters 104, 105 and 112 of Minnesota State Law, the regulations of Rice Creek Watershed District, Regulations of the Department of Natural Resources, including provisions for protected waters, Public Law 92.500 (Federal Water Pollution Control Act), open space policies of the Metropolitan Council and its guidelines encouraging protection and enhancement of marshes, wetlands in the flood plain area and the public interest in preventing irreparable destruction or deterioration of valuable natural resources. As such, the City Code, as stated in Section 1010.08 Subd. 2b, requires that any development occurring within one hundred feet of a wetland shall undergo careful review in order to protect the integrity of the City's wetland and natural drainage and watershed. Discussion: Staff has directed this request to the City's engineer, SEH, who reviews all wetland buffer and alteration permits, as well as to the Rice Creek Watershed District, which reviews and verifies all delineations of wetlands in Mounds View. The applicant had indicated a desire to construct the foundation below the minimum recommended building elevation for this area, which Beth Peterson, Project Engineer for SEH, recommended against. Her report is attached.