12-10-1975 Special Council Meeting Minutes

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MIMTOS of a special council meeting held DECEMBER 10, 1975 - PAGE 2 wuld then infiltrate the trench and go down. The disadvan- was the possible draining of some of the marsh areas, ^^tro recognizes the problem and so is planning about thirty ditch danB, which would be about 500 feet in length, although w length would more probably be deteimined during construction, i^t could also pose a concein to the City. Another problem is me enoimous ^unt of water to be used during the construction, vhere dewatering is necessary. Searles stated that the Lake ^toiet^a Co^ervation District £^roval was conditional upon their inspection of the Final Plans for the project but so for not received any such plans. Searles felt it was very dif ficult to make decisions on such a big issue without the proper ^vestigation. Massengale felt the problem indicates that Orono has strong interests but we have not acknowledged our control over the^ conditions or interests. Searles felt Ordinance No. 125 would be a protective measure. Hickok felt that no single project in Orono would have a more potential effect than this project on the Vfetlands Ordinance. Searles noted that the Watershed District wants all sewer plants taken off Lake Minne tonka. Hickok indicated that if, in fact, the new zoning maps were taken into consideration ma^^e it would be found that we sewer. Brad Van Nest noted that that would be on the basic assun^tion that Metro would agree we can grow with a minimum lot size of two acres in unsewered areas. Van Nest felt we could design ai^ regulate septic systems adequately, .ii^ok felt the shoreline for some distance should be sewered and possibly o^er areas having soils creating great difficulty, ^^ch as clay hills. Searles noted that in addition to zoning "^gulations, building permits were not just issued but condi- ticns must meet certified engineering design standards. Hickok lelt that the area needed a better handle on how we are effected ^^rshes, such as how much marsh area do you need to success fully treat storm water. Searles pointed out tliat the Environ mental Assessment Report was actually prepared in 1971-72 and had missed this concern completely. Hickok said his impression on review of the question was that the majority of marshes needed, under present density was at 100% right now. He noted that son» areas have surplus lowlands but not many. When asked what this n^ to do with upland storage of water, Hickok answered that they did not want water to raise over six inches and it was preferable ^at there was not too nuch fl^cuation for a variety of rt;.*. jons. pother reason idiy the present wetlands became more valuable was b^ause some municipalities had filled in their marshlands. Hickok was asked to project the level of urbanization possible with fisting svfantps. He felt that they would get so valuable ^at developer's would treat their storm water rather than expend It and cited the Ridgedale Shopping Center as a present day ex- Van Nest asked \diat the disadvantages were of a pressure mam along roadways. Hickok felt primarily the cost of operating lift stations because they are an on-going expense. Hickok was ^kedabout effects on the Umg Lake Creek on which the Long Lake Treatment Plant was located and stated he felt it would be very Concem was expressed as to the Long Lake and Orono Treat- Nj^t Plants if the project should fall thru. It was felt that Ormo would be alright but that Long Lake was known to run at .twice capacity on bad days. It was agreed by all that there wasuy cuLx Liuit LJicre w« not enough time to make a decision. IVhen asked why the Council naa not looked into the alternates, they replied that the gravity line was the only one with an environmental assessment on it« ORDNO-LCWG LAKE D'TTERCEPTDR, cont. f! f-