09-18-2000 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 21,2000 (#2550 Charles Van Eeckhout, Continued) April Bresner, 50 Apple Glen Road, expressed concerns with extension of the street since Apple Glen Road is a narrower road and the added traffic. Mary Ann Hansen, 64 Creekside Drive, Long Lake, stated it v^s her understanding this area was part of a state refuge when she purchased her property three years ago. Hansen stated there currently are signs denoting the area as a state re^ge, with a targe number of wildlife living in the area. Ken and Judy Bigelow, 32 Apple Glen Road, stated they were opposed to the e.xtension of the road. John Dunn, 20 South Brown Road, stated he owns the adjoining property to this development, and it is his impression the Applicant has done quite a bit of ditching on the property. Dunn also expressed concern regarding the small size of the lots. April Bresner questioned whether once an area is designated as a wetland, regardless if a ditch is constructed and the area is now deemed dry buildable, if that area is still considered to be a wetland. Stoddard stated there are many standards that go into designating an area as wetland, with the presence of water and flora being the two primary criteria used in determining whether the area should be considered a wetland. Stoddard stated the characteristics of the land can change. Stoddard stated the DNR can designate certain areas as wetlands, with the City of Orono protecting additional wetland area beyond the DNR designations. Bergh noted diis area has never been delineated as a wetland. Weinberger stated the original delineation for this area was revised, with the area in question not being designated as a wetland. Hawn commented she has some concerns regarding the sand and fill having been found. Hawn inquired if City Staff has any information concerning where that fill may have come from. Weinberger stated the only information the City has is that it may have come from the excavation of the creekbed area. Weinberger stated he is not aware of when the area may have been filled or where the area was filled. Hawn commented it is her understanding this area was wetland in 1998 Dunn stated he has seen backhoes and tractors at various times in that area, which in his opinion was done in an attempt to lower the water table in that area and to create a buildable area. Hawn stated she does not know whether that is in fact the case. Dunn stated from a lay person’s perspective, something has occurred in the area to have lowered the water table from what it was in 1998. PAGES ku&iii