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November 3, 2003 <br />Mr. Jim Ericson <br />Community Development Director <br />City of Mounds View <br />2401 Highway l0 <br />Mounds View, MN 55112 <br />RE: Longview Estates Subdivision Request <br />Dear Director Ericson and Members of the Plaaning Commission: <br />We are writing in reference to Martin Harstad's latest subdivision request pertaining to the property known as Mueller <br />Addition Lot 4 Blocic 1. As he has shown in his past requests, Mr. Harstad has chosen not only to ignore the City of Mounds <br />View's zoning requirements but has proposed a development which is at odds with the policies and sh-ategic plan of the Rice <br />Creek Watershed District. <br />Mr. Harstad has shown outrageous disregard for City ordinances in his past requests so we feel it is pr�dent to view anything <br />proposed by this developer with a particularly keen eye. <br />'This latest subdivision proposal is not in line with Rice Creek Watershed DistricYs policies on wetland alteration as outlined in <br />Rule F of their governance. Rule F states: <br />]. Policy: it is the policy of the Board of Managers to: <br />a. achieve no net loss in the quantity , quality, and biological diversity of Minnesota's existing wetlands <br />b. increase the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of Minnesota's wetlands by restoring or enhancing <br />diminished or drained wetlands <br />c. avoid direct impacts from activities that destroy or diminish the quantity, quality and biological diversity of <br />' � wetTands <br />d. replace wetlands where avoidance of activity is not feasible and prudent <br />�� � (source: RCWD'.s website) . ; , . : <br />Mr. Harstad's proposal is in violation of each item of this policy. Putting developed lots on the entire parcel will surely not <br />enhance the.quantity. of wetland on the site nor the quality. The biological diversity currently on site in the form of deer, rare <br />woodpeckers, ducks, frogs, toads, etc. will surely not be increased by developing the entire site. These policies are so <br />important in protecting the small amount of wetlands remaining that they cannot be put aside. <br />Another policy of the Board of Managers of the Rice Creek Watershed District is to "ensure that future peak rates of runoff are <br />less than or equal to existing rates". During heavy rains, the existing ponds and ditches along the Silver Lake Road side of the <br />properly swell to overflowing and flood parts of the roadway. Will this improve with the creation of impervious surface within <br />the wetland? Of course not. <br />The mitigated wetland areas shown on Mr. Harstad's plat are strewn about in small section over many of the proposed lots. <br />How will wetland policies be enforced in these areas that are part of proposed yards? How do you enforce which areas of what <br />yards may be mowed, sodded, fertilized, planted, not planted, etc. for perpetuity? This is a recipe for disaster and failure of <br />wetland management. <br />Rice Creek Watershed District also outlines specific threats to our water resources in their strategic plan. Specifically, they cite <br />il! planned commercial and residentia[ development as the underlying cause for water resources cfialleitges facrng us. As <br />Mr. Harstad's track record shows, he has less than earnest concern for pla�ing by the rules, regulations, and ordinances <br />established to protect ow• natural resources and the residents of Mounds View. ` <br />Based on these facts, we urge. the Planning Commission members to deny this subdivision request by Eichi Inc. <br />Thank you for your time and your commitment to upholding the City's regulations which protect us all. - � <br />Respectfully submitte�d, ^ <br />� � <br />, <br />/ ' ��`�� `/ .,,_ c��. <br />ca,:�• � <br />Michael Brandt <br />5174 Longview Drive <br />Mounds View, MN 55112 <br />ti�-�� ,��.... <br />, �' r/ c.-�� <br />Helen Brandt <br />� <br />