01-27-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 22. 2003 any necessary revisions to the size, scope andfiguration of the proposed project in order to accommodate these necessary changes. If you are unwilling to make additional changes to avoid wetland impacts on the site, this item may be heard before the MClVD Board of Managers, however, the recommendation of staff will be to deny the application The items of note that have changed the most from the previous site plan are: • The introduction of a bridge along Northwest Lane to provide access to the upland areas in that part of the site without impacting certain wetlands that Mike Wyatt at Minnehaha Creek has deemed avoidable. • Subtle changes in building layout especially near the round about. The removal of many of the wetland impact areas previously proposed made it necessary to alter the layout of many units. This includes replacing some rambler townhomes with two-story townhomes northwest of the round about. • Unfortunately, with this layout, some variances from the City setbacks are required. First there are some small encroachments into the City’s 26-foot wetland buffer setback area. These encroachments Include driveways, streets, and building pads. These minimal encroachment areas are highlighted on the attached plan and are necessary to maintain the maximum number of rambler units In the project while simultaneously saving as much quality wetland as possible. As we have discussed previously, these rambler units are what provide the economic return necessary to maintain the high level of amenities proposed for this project. Second, due to the location of the large wetland between Northwest Lane and North Lane, it Is necessary to place portions of three units within the 35-foot building setback to the north property line. We previously proposed to fill some of the wetland to allow for the proper grading of driveways and building pads, however the watershed will not agree to this. We are attempting to set up a face-to-face meeting this week with Mike Wyatt of MCWD to verify that watershed staff is accepting of this layout and that there are no further Issues that would jeopardize watershed approval. Preliminary phone conversations with Mr. Wyatt suggest that staff would support this plan. We are sending under separate cover a sketch of our solution to the emergency overflow issue to both Greg Gappa and Tom Kellogg. We are confident that we have a solution that works for everyone and will be available to discuss this issue at any time. All other engineering, landscape, and planning issues as noted In DPI L Bonestroo. and City staff memos have been addressed and will be reflected in the final plans to be completed by February 6 (the submittal deadline for placement on the next watershed board meeting agenda).