02-18-2025 Planning Commission Packet (2)

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From:Melissa Kjolsing To:Melanie Curtis Subject:Comments for 215 N Arm Lane (Idyllvale Shores) from 350 N Arm Lane Date:Thursday, November 14, 2024 7:00:43 PM Hello Melanie, Below are the comments we'd like to formally submit to the City of Orono. Can you confirm that our comments will be included in the Orono Planning Commission packet for this coming meeting on Monday, November 18, 2024? Thank you, Melissa and Michael COMMENTS: As nearby residents of the proposed development at 215 N Arm Lane, we have serious concerns we want to share with Orono's Planning Commission. The area under discussion has abundant wetlands to support natural habitat for numerous native species. They thrive on this land because it's removed from dense traffic, noise pollution and human activity. To see it taken away due to a development is heartbreaking and frustrating, and we are against moving forward. People move to this area because of the cohabitation with nature and wildlife. We feel this development directly contradicts the values of the nearby community and the previous owners of the property who left it undeveloped. We and other neighbors have expressed time again that we are eager to preserve the state of the property through significant financial investment including purchasing the property for preservation. The current plans drastically change the property experiences for nearby residents with the addition of roads, cars and services traveling to and from the proposed properties. In addition to our concerns, we see an opportunity for the city to purchase this property to support community access to natural space between N Shore Drive W and West Branch Road. This community currently has no other public spaces that are accessible by pedistrations without having to cross busy and fast-driving roads. There are approximately 100 homes in this community that would benefit from this space while continuing to support its values of preservation and coexisting with wildlife. Lastly, we have fears about the natural resources of this lakeshore residential district being compromised by the proposed plan and that the quality of the stormwater runoff into the wetlands and Lake Minnetonka is endangered. We have reviewed the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District rules and regulations and have identified a number of concerns: 1. The wetland buffer rules either are not followed or cannot be verified to be followed. a. According to article XI, division 3 of the Orono Code, wetland buffer rules from the Minnehaha creek watershed district (MCWD) shall apply where established. The wetlands in the plan are classified as “preserve” according to the City of Orono Wetlands and Drainage Districts map, accessed November 11, 2024. The MCWD Wetland Protection Rule 5 effective April 29, 2024 has established buffer widths for wetlands based on wetland management classification, including those classified a “preserve”. Such wetlands have a setback base width of 75 feet, with a minimum of 67 feet depending on favorable slope or soil conditions. The plan does not signify the width of the wetland buffer. This resident questions whether the 174