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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,June 17,2019 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> John Adams,Applicant, stated this is a very small wetland that gets a little bit of water in it in the spring <br /> when the snow melts, but it is not a wetland that is wet very much of the year. The amount of land <br /> involved is 958 square feet. The property owners received approval from the MCWD for a 60' x 120' <br /> sport court. <br /> The original proposal was 14,000 square feet, which is approximately one-third of an acre. The property <br /> owners indicated they did not require that big of a sport court and the amount of fill now being required is <br /> approximately 11,000 square feet. This site was chosen for maximum tree preservation and proximity to <br /> the house. One of the alternative sport court was located near the lake, which did not make sense due to <br /> the lights and the other alternative site would have required the removal of a number of trees. As a result, <br /> it was felt that this was the best spot. It is approximately 300 feet away from the house behind the garage. <br /> The property owners will be purchasing twice the amount of wetland credit as what is being lost. <br /> Originally the Watershed District agreed to allow the credit to be purchased outside Hennepin County but <br /> have since requested the wetland credit be purchased in the county. <br /> Thiesse asked if they will be raising the grade for the sport court up to the elevation of the driveway. <br /> Adams indicated he does not believe so. <br /> Thiesse stated it appears the driveway is what is stopping the drainage out of that area. Thiesse asked <br /> where the drainage will be directed toward. <br /> Adams stated they are going to be directing it away from the driveway, but they will look at running a <br /> culvert under the driveway if that is the best solution. The black area depicts the area where the trucks <br /> would come into the site. <br /> Libby asked if they have an idea at this point where they will be purchasing the wetland credits. <br /> Adams stated they do have a purchase agreement for land in Hennepin County in place, but that they do <br /> not know the exact location right now. <br /> Bollis asked if they have considered relocating the sport court north/south of the proposed location so it <br /> does not impact the wetland. <br /> Adams indicated the proposed site does not impact as many trees and it is not visible from the lake or <br /> from the neighbors' homes. <br /> Ressler stated he is trying to get a better understanding of the location. Preservation of trees is important <br /> but changing the wetlands is also important. Ressler asked why this particular location is best suited <br /> besides the trees. <br /> Adams stated they hired ISG to look at it and they performed the wetland delineation. ISG felt that this <br /> was the best place for the minimal amount of tree loss and it has a good proximity to the home, is behind <br /> the home, and will not be visible from the lake. The Watershed District and Army Corps also reviewed it. <br /> Chair Ressler opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. <br /> Page 2 of 24 <br />