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#04-2997 March 12, 2004 Page2 List of Exhibits A -Variance & CUP Applications B -Survey I Site Plan/ Grading Plan (Revised Plan Submitted 3-12-04) C -Public Services Director Memo 2-18-04 D -Hardcover Calculations E -MCWD Application and Exhibits F-PlatMap G -197 4 Orono Wetland Inventory Map H -MCWD Wetland Inventory Map & Hydrology Summary I -Property Owners List J -Code Excerpts Pertinent to Wetland Alterations K-Orono SWMP Excerpts: Section 5, Wetlands Management L -Letters from interested parties Background Please review Exhibit C, the memo from Public Services Director Greg Gappa, which explains the need for this project and the characteristics of the project. The wetland in question is not on the City's 197 4 wetland inventory, and therefore is not defined as a "City- protected Wetland"; however, it is subject to Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) regulations, which the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District administers on the City's behalf. The City has chosen to make the applications for variance and CUP although it could be argued that this wetland does not fall strictly under the City's ordinances. The project is being proposed under the WCA "de minim us" rules because it involves less than 400 s.f. of wetland area being filled. This means that the amount of fill and the impact ofthat fill is so minor as to not require mitigation. The proposed filling is 215 s.f. at the SE comer of the wetland. A revised plan submitted on March 12 has slightly relocated the proposed driveway fill so that there will be no filling closer than 6' from the property line to the south. This complies with City requirements that do not allow filling within 5' of a lot line. The filling will impact a 12 cubic yard area of flood plain. An equivalent volume will be excavated adjacent to the NW comer of the floodplain area within the right-of-way as equal mitigation. The proposed driveway will be 1 O' in width and 180' in length, and will provide a driveable access point for the north half of the island. This access will replace the access drive that was formerly used on the north side of the wetland. That access was on private property, and the ownerrecently converted it to lawn area. The City has long held that the City has an obligation to provide reasonable access to the interior roads on the island for the occasional service vehicle, and for the needs of the few inland properties which do not abut the lak:eshore.