12-14-1992 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 12,1992 C'.Ti'c^ic.^c_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ Mr. Michael Gaffron Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator City of Orono Orono, Minnesota SEP 1 T 1092 Re: Proposal #1762- Paul W. Boyke Subdivision Dear Mr. Gaffron: My wife, Linda Miller, and I have resided at 275 Hollander Road for slightly more than one year. Our property abuts the northwestern edge" of the land proposed for subdivision. I have lived in the western suburbs of Minneapolis for forty years, and am quite familiar the beautiful wild areas which remain in and around the City of Orono. Lydiard Lake is a prime e.xample of one of these few remaining areas. Obviously, the City of Orono, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources appreciate Lydiard Lake's uniqueness, and have thus designated it a "Natural Environment", in its Shoreland Management Ordinance, and Shoreland Overlay District Standards. One of the thrusts of the new legislation is to preserve and protect the fragile wetland environments. The natural beauty of Lydiard Lake, and the rural character of Orono v/ere two of the main reasons we moved to 275 Hollander Road. We have reviewed the materials available concerning Proposal # 1762, and have many reservations about what we have seen. Our first concern is the concept itself. The mandate of the State of Minnesota through the DNR is to preserve and protect the existing "Natural Environments" by limiting future development. Proposal # 1762 runs counter to the idea of protection and preservation by proposing new construction on the very edge of this unique wetland area. Our second concern was one of appropriateness. The existing level and character of development surrounding Lydiard Lake is not consistent with the proximity proposed in Mr. Boyke's plan. We also have concerns related to the actual suitability of the site itself for the proposed development. The bluff area to the north of the proposed building site is currently covered with many mature trees. VJhat would happen to them? If the are removed, wouldn't the wonderfully varied bird population which currently uses the area be gone as well? How would the introduction of more hardcover effect the run-off and drainage ecosystem already in place? What is the environmental impact of over 600 feet of graded driveway, 300 feet of which borders the edge of the wetlands? Is the soil appropriate for a septic system? What would be the consequence of septic system problems on Lake Lydiard. Our questions and concerns are too numerous to pursue in this letter. ! f. J