PC Packet 04.27.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission March 23, 2017 Page 4 Bill Donovan, 5955 135x' Street, approached the podium. He expressed concerns about water and drainage issues and agreed that traffic issues need to be evaluated. Chair Kleissler asked the applicant if they would like to address any of the questions from residents. Deb Ridgeway, developer with the Excelsior Group, approached the podium. She stated that all of the properties have received approved wetland delineations. She also described that no City property has been purchased and the property will remain as public property to residents. Mrs. Ridgeway also stated that soil testing had been completed and there are no issues. Cory Meyer, project manager with Westwood Professional Services, approached the podium. He stated there has been rigorous testing on the site in regards to soils, wetlands, ground water, and floodplain. He explained that the ground water will not change with the proposed development. He described the modeling process that occurs to make sure the site can handle significant rain events and the site configuration has passed these models. He stated that drainage from the proposed development will not run onto adjacent neighborhoods. Lastly, Mr. Meyer discussed the FEMA line. He stated that the FEMA line, although proposed to be adjusted, will still be confined around the wetland and around the current ditch, but will not affect the adjacent neighborhoods. Mark Erichson, City Engineer, added that there will be no change to adjacent properties and no need to purchase flood insurance. Deb Ridgeway, developer with the Excelsior Group, stated that they would work with staff to provide a connection to the trail system for the Country Ponds neighborhood. Juba addressed a few of the questions. She stated that the city owned parcel is an outlot of the Country Ponds development. She stated that in the early 1990s, the property was deemed wetland and the developer gave the City this property, for public use, in return for park dedication credit. The current developer has done wetland delineation on the property and it's been established that there's significantly less wetland than determined in the early 90s. Juba stated in looking through the development file, there was no approval or recommendation for a public park on this property. She discussed that some trees will be removed as to construct the pond, however, additional trees are proposed to be planted within a 15 ft. area between the rear property lines and pond. Mark Erichson, City Engineer, stated that there are many requirements and agencies that review plans, especially in regards to drainage and water. He explained that not only are the properties the project is proposed on taken into consideration, but also adjacent properties. Erichson stated the proposed development meets City standards as well as Rice Creek Watershed District standards. Bryan Bear, City Administrator, asked Erichson to expand on the questions regarding the increase in elevations of the FEMA floodplain and if there are proposed to be any changes to drainage on adjacent properties. Erichson stated the floodplain will not change on the adjacent properties. Erichson also described that the proposed elevations are not adversely effect drainage on any adjacent properties nor is it increasing rate flow of water leaving the properties. Erichson then began discussing traffic concerns. He stated that MnDot did review the plans for the proposed development and haven't commented that any significant upgrades to TH 61 need to occur in the immediate future.