02-18-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 18, 1997 0 ( #7 - 42209 Spring Hill Golf Club - Continued) 3) Maintenance facility. The neighbors saw the facility as being undesirable. It has been located such that it will not be viewed from the road or nearby homes without entering the golf course. It will also not be viewed from either direction of Tamarack Dr. or CoRd 6. 4) Concern with golf course being located on two sides of the roadway. A tunnel has been designed for location 750 -1000' feet from the intersection of Tamarack Dr. and CoRd 6. It will be used for golfer access and maintenance equipment. Maintenance equipment will not be crossing the roadway. Hunter noted that they will accommodate any changes to the intersection required by the City or County. Hunter reported that the golf course will be a member of the Audubon Management Society which requires the use of an environmentally sensitive management plan. Hunter said they will respond to the concern for a pedestrian trail to allow for a connection between Wood Rill, the Big Woods, and Wolsfeld Woods as recommended by the Park Commission. Hunter said they fully endorse a trail along the perimeter of the golf course along Tamarack Drive, Spring Hill Road, on to Long Lake and are willing to • mark the trail with a rustic fence to separate it from the golf course itself Hunter said there are approximately 15 acres of wetland on Long Lake to the south side of the project which they are willing to donate to Orono or a nature conservancy. Hunter reported that the trees are being cataloged and reinventoried by a expert on trees. He indicated no tree would be removed without being red - flagged and marked. He said there were 500 trees of a size that allow for transplanting. They also plan on planting an additional 500 trees. Hunter said there will be no perimeter vegetation impact outside of the entrance and near the maintenance and golf club facilities. Additional plantings will be created on the north side. Regarding the Big Woods, Hunter said 40 acres are located on the north side with 12 -15 acres in Orono. It is their intent to retain as much of an umbrella of trees as possible. He said the plan calls to save 50% of the Big Woods. Marshal Braman, Senior Environmental Consultant from Schoell and Madson, reviewed the delineation of wetlands and the EAW Document. Braman said the wetlands ranging in size have all been drained at some point. He noted there were three drainage systems which run through the site into Long Lake, all of which are ditched and degraded. Dams will be installed on the outlets for both enhancement and water restoration. This will require some excavation to occur. 15