08-18-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMYSSION MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 18, 1997 (#I2 - #2281 Hennepin County - Continued) Gaffron reported that the City and Hennepin County Public Works have been reviewing plans on CoRd 6 including the alignment shift and intersection changes. These changes will impact certain City protected and other wetlands. He noted that the City Council has already anoroved the lavout of the road. The issue before the Commission is the review of the wetland impacts, whether the proposed mitigation is acceptable, and a conditional use hermit for land alteration over 160' c.v. Gaffron indicated that the iavmit and cross sections are available for review. Gaffron reported there have been 7 basins identified as being impacted, 4 of which are on the Orono 1974 inventory, and require variances for grading and filling. There are minor wetlands including culverts and creek crossing. Those of greatest concern include a wetland west of the Hanning driveway, with the southerly 1/3 of the wetland impacted by filling. Lindquist questioned whether Planning Commission has any choice but to approve. Gaffron said there really were not anv choices as to the lavout, since those decisions have already been made. Lindquist asked how mitigation for the wetland impacts takes place. Joel Settles said the • wetland replacement decision is made by the State. Settles said the 2:1 replacement will occur within the County and probably in with the MCWD, and the City has no say in the location but might influence it. He said the best influence would be to show where expansion might take place but the State may not accept those locations. Smith asked the time frame of that decision. Settles said there is no time frame but after construction is complete, the County will file a report that will be received by the State filed by January 15 of the next year. At that time, mitigation locations will be determined. During public comments, Robert Hanning, 4220 CoRd 6, asked what the purpose was of the meeting regarding wetlands. He indicated that the City and County have already approved the road redesign but the public hearing is for public comments and information. Gaffron indicated that the City requires the County to go through the process as it affects Orono wetlands and requires a CUP for land alteration over 100 c.y. He indicated the Council has approved the plan and the application allows for formal conclusions of the discussion. Hanning noted if the Council has already approved the road and then hold a public meeting. he feels it is redundant. Schroeder said the hearing is to gain an understanding for the reasons for filling the wetlands regarding public safety and environmental and the necessity for a CUP. McMillan said the review is not to debate the road but to discuss the • wetlands. 26