11-26-2018 Council Work Session Packet

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The stated goals of future development in Orono are: 1. "Promote the conservation and enhancement of the quality of surface water and wetlands throughout the city, particularly Lake Minnetonka" 2. "Ensure the preservation and enhancement of the existing "rural character" of the city." (EPP p. 3A-14 and following for the guiding principles.) Impacts: Most of these apply to both proposed developments, but I will specify as appropriate. 1. Environmental Orono's motto and shield show ducks and reeds. Orono calls itself "the Lakeshore City." What has been proposed will dramatically impinge on the wetlands that Orono states that it wants and needs to protect. In fact, the plan shows buildings (Eisinger Meadows and Flats, diagram from the 9/17/18 meeting) overlapping onto the wetland setback. How is that OK? Is the developer expecting that he can fill in some of the setback area? 2. These developments will negatively affect waterfowl nesting places and migratory pathways. There are nesting swans, lots of ducks, loons, and pelicans, which are protected. There are also minnows (no big fish), painted turtles and snapping turtles. The lake is 5 or 6 feet deep at most, with a muddy, mucky bottom and has lots of aquatic plant life. The DNR ratings for it are all "green," instead of "clear." It is not a recreational lake. I have not seen anything about an environmental impact statement. 3. Lake Classen and the surrounding marsh function as an estuary. The area is an important part of the Minnehaha Creek and Lake Minnetonka watershed and keeping pollution out of those bodies of water. 4. Destruction of other wildlife habitat. 5. Quality of life and protected view. In my backyard, I can hear traffic on Wayzata Blvd and highway 12 as a distant hum. I can hear birds and ducks. I can see the stars looking to the west, south and north. Not to the east, because of the school lights. I can see trees and water and sky and eagles and ospreys. I do not want to see apartments and townhouses (loss of view). I do not want to hear them(noise pollution). I have a very stressful job, so I intentionally chose a place which would provide a non -stressful, relaxing environment. Some people want coffee shops, some want to live on Lake Minnetonka, some want to walk, skate or bike around the chain of lakes. Some people like Uptown and the North Loop. My neighbors and I wanted peace and quiet. 4. Building on a landfill --speaks for itself. Is it stable? What happens to all the toxic materials when this is disturbed? This has not been looked at as of the 10/15/18 meeting. 5. Construction pollution—all the dirt, earth moving, noise, exhaust. 6. Water pollution --the proposals have asphalt parking, which of course produces lots of dirty, oily, salty runoff. The undeveloped land absorbs the rain. Asphalt parking lots do not. Rooftops with asphalt shingles do not. The EPP acknowledges that urbanization increases the amount of stormwater runoff. Salt and grit from the parking lots and roads in these areas will wash directly into the marsh, wetlands, Lake Classen and finally Lake Minnetonka. (p. 3A-45)