01-10-2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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S’ January 7, ZOOS 'lo: Mayor Pclcrsonand Ctnincil Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator I’rom: dreg Gappa, Director of Public Services Siibjeet: Drainage 665 Orchard Park Road ^i)r JAN 1 U 200S CUY ut UHUNO I'lte property owner at 665 Orchard Park Road has contacted the City regarding high water levels in a pond located in the center of this property. I hese high water levels are restricting the u.se (d' the western portion of tijc property for the grazing of horses. This issue has beeti an ong(*ing concern for about the past 10 years. 'I he pond area on this property is currently classified as Type 4 wetland by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) as .shown on the attached map. I he 2 foot contour lines on this map correspond very well with the MCWD Wetland ilesignation. I he.se contours show a low drainage swale area through the center of all the properties on the west side of Orchard Park Road. Aerial photos of this area from the years 1955, 1975, 1989, 1994, and 2000 arc also attached to provide a historical perspective. Also included is a 1994 report from Pinnacle lingincering on this issue. This engineering firm was retained by the property owner to review this situation. According to then information in the Pinnacle Hngineering Rcfiort, this property was purcha.sed by the current owners in 1985, and there was a small wet area on the northern portion of the property which is ob.servable on the 1975 and 1989 aerial photos. I he 1994 photo appears to show a darker color wet area extending further .south on the property, and the 2()()() |)hoto shows a ponding area across the entire property. In October, City staff completed a site inspection of this property. Hie ponding area extends to within aliout 5 feet of the fence on the .south property line. I he ciitiie area downstream of the pond is Hat .sod uneven ground with 5 foot high grass and it is dilficull lo tell if any grading has recently been completed in this area. I he property lo the .south, 615 Orchard Park Road, tiiil lutt have any standing water but appears to In; pt)orly drained. 1 have had a phone conver.salion with the owner of 615 Orchard Park Road. He purcha.sed his properly in 1974 and .stated that in the .spring and other wet perioils Ihe low drainage area in Ihe center of the properly is normally underwater. He al.so provided information on Ihe history of this area that he had obtained from Milton fhurbei who had owned 665 Orchard Park Road since at least 1955. In the I95()’s, the propcly owners installed drainlile across 6(*5, 61 5, 585 which oulleled into Ihe large wetland on 525 Orchard Park Road. 1 Ins drainlile was installed lo tirain Ihe existing wet area in Ihe center of the properties so it could be farmed. I he older air photos do show that this area was being farmed. However, according to Mr. I hurber Ihe area was always marginal larmland even with the drainlile. In iht? 1994 Pinnacle Report, the opinion is pre.scnted that this area previously was (.sciisonally Hooded & wet nieadt>w welland.s) which calls into the ilotibl how well this drainlile .sy.stem actually did function.