02-05-2004 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Februaiy 3,2004 To: Ron Moorse, City Administrator From: Greg Gappa, Director of Public Services Subject: Big Island Lake Access “C” Road Lake access “C” is located on the noriheast side of Big Island and is a 90 ’ wide platted City Right of Way with flat topography and is currently undeveloped Almost the entire width of the access is a Type 1 wetland that was formed by an ice ridge that impounds surface water drainage. This area usual !>• contains water during the spring snow melt or very wet periods. For many years access to the island in this area was on private land adjacent to the north of the access. The property owner has now blocked this access road. Since the dr>' land access area on private property is not available, there is no longer a good access point for the properties on the northern area of the island. The only other access lanes that have suitable topography for reasonable access (“D” and “H “) are located further south on the island. In 2000, the City granted approval for the property owner of 220 Big Island, a landlocked parcel, to have a seasonal dock on access C. Information on this approval is attached. The property owners on the northern area of the island are concerned about access, and we have had discussions and several site visits to the island with property o^^’ners to view options for better access to the island. One item for possible consideration is the construction of an access road on lake access C that would restore access comparable to the historical access that was located on private land. Attached is conceptual plan showing a 10’ wide crushed rock access road on the southern edge of access C. The plan shows a road extending from the lakeshore to an existing access path on the Lawn Avenue Right of Way. However, it may be possible to shorten the length of road once it is past the low wetland area. Construction of the entire 180’ of road would require about 70 Cubic yards of rock. The construction costs for this road are about $5,000 assuming rock on top of geotextile fabric placed directly on the existing ground This should be adequate considering the low level of usage for this road. Construction of the road across the w etland will require about 300 s. f. of wetland impact. Minnesota Rules provide for a “de minimis” exception for impacting less than 400 s.f. of wetland in the shoreland area. To obtain the de minimis exception a permit application has to be submitted to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for approval by the Board of Managers. No wetland mitigation is required for the de minimis exception approval. Construction of this road will require a Conditional Use Permit from the City for filling more than 10 c.y. in the 0’ to 75 ’ setback zone. A City variance will also be required for approximately 800 s.f of impervious surface in the 0’ to 75 ’ hardcover zone in which no impervious surfaces are allowed. A survey will need to be completed to locate the 929.4