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Mounds View Planning Commission November 19, 2003 <br />Regular Meeting Page 7 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch indicated that this is not at all like Blaine as the property in Blaine was <br />completely open and there were not the concerns with the existing homes. She then said that this <br />is a smaller area with more wetland. <br /> <br />Mr. Harstad indicated he recognized what has been said but they are all issues that they can work <br />through. He then said he feels like he is apologizing for bringing this before the City but this is a <br />seven acre piece of ground that his family owns and has owned and been paying taxes and <br />assessments on for years and they would like to develop it. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch commented that the area in Blaine was completely open and this is an <br />already developed area. She then asked if Mr. Harstad could assure the City that there would not <br />be issues with the new or existing homes if this plan goes forward. <br /> <br />Mr. Harstad indicated he has not created the water problems that already exist but said he could <br />assure the City with engineer’s reports that there would not be additional water problems caused <br />by his development. He then said that, if there were any issues after the development, he would <br />agree to examine them under a microscope for the cause. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland indicated that an engineering report is not a guarantee and there is no <br />guarantee which is why the long-term maintenance bond would be required to fix any issues. He <br />then said that the issues that have come up have not been addressed and, if there are water <br />problems in the area as expressed, he does not think it is unreasonable to go overboard to make <br />sure that further development does not make it worse or further impact those with existing issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Harstad suggested that the community needs a storm sewer as right now the City is allowing <br />his property to be used as the storm sewer. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland asked if Mr. Harstad was willing to put the sewer in. <br /> <br />Mr. Harstad indicated he would be treating the water prior to discharge to a wetland so he <br />basically is creating a storm water system. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch asked whether Rice Creek had said that there was a need for a storm <br />sewer. <br /> <br />Mr. Harstad indicated that Rice Creek said that the water needed to be treated before it flows into <br />the wetland. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson indicated the Commission did not feel comfortable two years ago with the water <br />issues and the likelihood of issues even with 8 lots. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zwirn asked if the family has explored the option of donating the land and getting <br />tax credits for it. He then said that he understand the interest of trying to gain from this property <br />but 15 years ago he sat on the League of Cities for insurance and had to deal with issues in Coon