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Driveway Installation Request <br />Narative <br />Objective <br />I am seeking approval to install a driveway to access my lot (4685 West Branch Road, <br />Orono, MN, 55364 by primarily utilizing the 25 foot wide strip of land that connects the majority <br />of the property to west branch road This is the only way to connect my property to the road <br />given the current property boundaries and legal restrictions. This driveway would cross over <br />wetland and a creek (mostly on the 25' strip) than would connect to an eventual build site <br />where we plan to put our primary single family residence in the coming years for our growing <br />family. <br />History <br />Prior to requesting approval to install our own driveway in this application, we did <br />explore in depth the possibility of sharing the neighbors driveway as it, and any driveway <br />would install, would both be located on a road and utility easement granted to the city of <br />Orono, and it was not clear if/when this public easement would be "opened" by the city and <br />when that would occur. As I now understand, this easement would only be "Opened" by the <br />city of Orono to access Saga Hill off of west branch, to create a public access to north side of <br />the park, however, as I understand, nothing is planned at this time. The easement is not open <br />to the public until it is opened by the city, which would be executing their rights as stated in the <br />easement. I understand that there is the current barrier that the north part of the park is <br />currently protected by a DNR conservation easement, which would not permit development <br />such as a parking lot for example and possibly trails connecting to this entrance; It is not clear <br />the duration or area of this conservation easement. The other trigger for a shared road would <br />be that easement as a whole servicing 3+ houses, but improvements would be the <br />responsibility of the individual at that time. If I install my own separate driveway, no trigger for <br />3+ lots would occur as the West Branch Acres (2 lots) would be serviced by the existing <br />driveway, and West Branch Hill (my 1 lot requiring separate access) would be serviced by the 1 <br />driveway we are seeking to install. Me installing my separate driveway was the only solution <br />agreed to by the west branch acres neighbors. Other options were explored as they would be <br />the least impactful solution concerning wetland disruption for access. A bridge is not a <br />feasible option due to cost considerations and future infrastructure that may be done by the <br />city, if/when the city excises their rights for the road/utility easement, if ever; one eventually <br />connected culvert would enable one road (private or public) in the future on the easement area. <br />The lowest cost solution that is in align with possible future development by the city and what <br />is legally permitted, is a stand alone driveway contained within my property at this time. <br />Current state <br />We have confirmed wetland boundaries and wetland type (manage 1, changed from <br />preserve). We are working on obtaining further permits from MCWD, specifically: Waterbody <br />crossing, Erosion Control, Wetland protection and Floodplain alteration. Once obtained, I can <br />provide specifics, however the only item it seems to be unknown with the site plan is if site <br />wetland replacement would be required, if so, I would like this to be done on the piece of land <br />in the Northeast corner of the lot that is currently not wetland. If no replacement is needed, <br />then the only wetland alteration would be fill as proposed to install the driveway. a large culvert <br />