Agenda Packets - 2006/01/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council December 12, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 4 1 Community Development Director Ericson explained that last year the Council authorized SEH 2 to do a wetland delineation survey of the Spring Creek wetland basin. He reviewed the location 3 of the subject wetland and explained this delineation was authorized because the official wetland 4 zoning maps were created in the 1980s but were not based on a delineation. Those maps were 5 based on aerial flights, photography, and elevations. The maps were not field verified and were 6 meant to be a tool to assist the City to regulate the wetland buffer. He explained the way the 7 Code is written, the delineation goes back to the official City maps, which have not been updated 8 as the wetland information has been updated. Director Ericson noted there may be a discrepancy 9 between what the official City maps show and the true official footprint of the wetland. SEH has 10 delineated the true boundary of the wetland and that boundary was pulled in from what is shown 11 on the official City wetland zoning maps. 12 13 Director Ericson displayed a map of the Spring Creek wetland basin showing the new wetland 14 delineation and buffer map. He noted this will, in most cases, pull the wetland line farther away 15 from resident’s homes and yards. Director Ericson stated the Council is being asked to adopt a 16 resolution to identify a true delineation of where the wetland is and confirms the location. 17 18 Director Ericson explained that a resident may or may not need a wetland buffer permit if they 19 want to remodel their house or redo their driveway. If the project is within the wetland buffer, 20 then an additional $25 permit is needed. However, staff knew that in some cases the wetland 21 was not impacted and the permit was not needed. 22 23 Director Ericson stated this action would hold the public hearing, adopt the new wetland 24 delineation, and then the City’s official zoning maps will be updated. This same process will be 25 used for all wetland areas in Mounds View and will give residents a better idea of where 26 wetlands are located. Director Ericson advised that if requested, the City can print out a map of 27 the resident’s property before and after the wetland delineation. In most cases, it will show less 28 of an impact on resident’s properties. 29 30 Director Ericson stated there is now better electronic data and the maps are in digital form so it 31 will be easier to manage the wetland, print maps, and make amendments when necessary. He 32 stated this is the first time the City has taken formal action to approve a new wetland delineation 33 and offered to answer questions of the residents. 34 35 Mayor Marty asked staff to display the pre-delineation zoning map and the new wetland zoning 36 map. He noted that the old map shows the wetland impacted just about every property and that 37 their homes were either within the wetland or buffer zone. This action will identify the actual 38 location of the wetland. Mayor Marty noted that since the 1980s, the wetland areas may have 39 receded somewhat and this could be a classic case of that happening. 40 41 Mayor Marty asked residents if they would like to speak to this issue. 42 43 Gene Anderson, 2948 Wooddale Drive, stated that in April of this year the City Engineer spent 44 considerable money doing surveys and looking at the wetland in terms of developing a holding 45