Project Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

February 18, 2004 To: Orono City Council and Planning Commission From: Greg Gappa, Director of Public Services Subject: Big Island Lake Access "C" Road Lake access C is located on the northeast 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 usually contains water during spring 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 dry 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 D and H that have suitable topography for reasonable access 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. C. 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 owners to view options for better access to the island. An option for 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 a plan showing a 10' wide crushed rock access road on the southern edge of access D. The plan shows a road extending from the lakeshore to an existing access path on the Lawn Avenue Right of Way. Construction of the entire 180' ofroad would require about 60 Cubic Yards of rock. The proposed plan is to place the crushed 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 and will minimize the amount of excavation required. There will be a small amount of excavation required to remove the ice ridge near the lakeshore. Construction of the road across the wetland will require about 3 00 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. Page 1 of 2 l.i ·-