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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />August 21, 2023 <br />6:00 o'clock p.m. <br />2. LA23-000030 RYAN ORTLIP, 4685 WEST BRANCH ROAD (PID 0711723220011), <br />REQUESTS APPROVAL OF A REZONING IN ORDER TO ALTER AND REMOVE A <br />WETLAND FROM THE OFFICIAL WETLAND OVERLAY DISTRICT MAP TO <br />SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRIVEWAY. <br />City Planner Nye explained the City has a wetland map and in order to complete this project the City <br />would have to approve a rezoning (removing the wetland from the City's wetland Map) and issue a <br />wetland alteration permit. The applicant has purchased the vacant property located at 4685 West Branch <br />Road to build a single-family home. The lot is 5.8 acres and includes a 25 -foot -wide parcel that connects <br />to West Branch Road and provides access to the main, buildable area of the property. The applicant is <br />proposing to construct a driveway on this piece of the property which includes a wetland. The wetland <br />will need to be altered and filled in order to construct a driveway. The wetland is defined as a wet <br />meadow or shallow marsh wetland. The total area proposed to be altered for the new driveway is <br />approximately 2,760 square feet, she said. The applicant is proposing to mitigate the wetland impacts with <br />wetland bank credits as recommended by Minnehaha Creek Watershed (MCWD). The proposed project <br />will require Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) permits for erosion control, waterbody <br />crossing, wetland protection, floodplain alteration, and wetland conservation act. Staff has been in contact <br />with the MCWD and all permits are expected to be approved in September. Nye said the proposed <br />wetland alteration is minimal to support the construction of the driveway, which is the only access way to <br />the property. Staff finds that the alteration of the wetland will not negatively impact adjacent properties or <br />the floodplain. Staff would require all MCWD approvals to be in place before bringing the application to <br />the City Council. The applicant was present, she said. <br />Bollis clarified that the applicant owns the 25 -foot strip that will be used for the driveway. <br />Ryan Ortlip currently living in Eden Prairie, explained the strip is part of the property but has an <br />easement. The whole goal of the application is to gain access to the lot. The plan would include a culvert <br />that would help with drainage. There would be no change in high water level for the fill. <br />Chair Bollis opened the public hearing at 6:36 p.m. <br />Eric Truskoski, 4665 West Branch Road, spoke in support of the application. He said the applicant has <br />been very good about staying in touch and making plans to make sure their front yard is drained. <br />Chair Bollis closed the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. <br />Bollis said this one looks pretty straightforward and it sounded like the MCWD would be doing most of <br />the heavy lifting. <br />Ressler moved, Kraemer seconded, to approve LA23-000030 4685 West Branch Road Rezoning as <br />applied contingent upon MCWD approval and continued support of the affected neighbor. VOTE: <br />Ayes: 5, Nays 0. <br />3. LA23-000037 GAVIN TEMPERO, 3260 BOHNS POINT LANE, REQUESTS AN <br />AVERAGE LAKESHORE SETBACK VARIANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A <br />HOME ADDITION. <br />Page 3 of 8 <br />