02-12-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. b. c. e. f. g- The land alteration within the 30+ acre wetland system will involve an area of .12 acres. Vegetation within the 30+ acre wetland consists predominantly of Purple Loosestrife and Reed Canary Grass, invasive aquatic weeds that choke out desirable native vegetation associated with a healthy, thriving wetland. The area of the wetland to be altered is in a transitional area consisting of 40% Purple Loosestrife, 40% lake sedge and 20% cattail. John Anderson, applicants’ wetland consultant, confirms the area will be replanted with prairie restoration mi.x of native grasses that will reduce the abiliw of Reed Canarv Grass and Purple Loosestrife to once again colonize this area of the wetland. Ben Wopat of the Army Corps of Engineers advises in his letter of Januaiy 26, 1996 that the proposed land alteration will be authorized under the Department of the Army’s nationwide permit. Wopat continues to advise the following to applicants ... "Hand removal of young Loosestrife plants betore they tio to seed may be the most effective method to control this species, although spot spraying of approved w-etland herbicides may be necessar>' if hand removal is not sulticient. 270 cubic yards of excavated material will be used to establish more graduated and natural slopes in an tirea where a retaining wall has collapsed allow ing erosion of bank adjacent to wetland. h. The excavation of the pond will improve wildlife habitat and result in the removal of the Purple Loosestrife and other invasive weeds. The City Council finds that the conditions existing on this property are peculiar to it and do not apply generally to other property in this zoning district; that granting the variance would not adversely affect traffic conditions, light, air nor pose a tire hazard or other danger to neighboring properties, would not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to alleviate a demonstrable hardship Paiie 2 of 5 %