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Item No: 8F Meeting Date: November 13, 2006 Type of Business: Consent City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Consideration of Resolution 6958, a Resolution approving a Wetland Buffer Permit to allow for New Home Construction at 7057 Pleasant View Drive Background: Larry Beach Construction has purchased the property at 7057 Pleasant View Drive, the former residence of Don Jenkins, and demolished the existing home in order to construct a new single family home. There is a wetland on a large portion of the rear of this property and the new construction would occur partially within the 100 foot wetland buffer area. The previous home was located several feet lower than the new home next door, which caused drainage concerns for the former owner. The new home will be built at a higher elevation that is similar to the new neighboring homes, and will be brought forward to have the same front setbacks. The attached survey indicates the old and new home footprints. The old house and detached garage footprint was approximately 1200 square feet. The new house with attached garage footprint will be approximately 2120 square feet. Discussion: The City reviews all development that occurs within wetlands and their buffers because of the important role that wetlands play in maintaining the ecosystem and the area hydrology, in that they are critical to the present and future health, safety and general welfare of the land, animals and people within the City. Chapter 1010 of the City Code outlines the permitting process for work occurring within a wetland buffer. The intent of the buffer permit requirement is not to prohibit development within 100 feet of a wetland, but rather to allow the City an opportunity to review the work in relation to the potential impacts to adjacent wetlands. Buffer permits do not allow for any alteration of a wetland—only those areas surrounding a wetland. The boundaries of the wetland on the subject property covers approximately the rear two- thirds of the lot. The attached wetland map shows the location of the wetland and footprint of the previous home. The proposed home footprint would also not be entirely inside the buffer area. The previous home had been built several feet lower than the street level, which caused the homeowner to have water runoff concerns from the new neighboring home that was at a slightly higher elevation than the street. The new home will be built at a similar elevation to the neighboring homes. The wetland area will not be impacted during grading or construction. The City’s Surface Water staff will be monitoring the site during the entire project construction.