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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,May 18,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Svoboda noted in the Conservation Design report there is a listing of the tree loss by lot along with the <br /> diameter of the trees that are being removed so it is documented. <br /> With respect to the wetlands, Svoboda indicated he communicated with the Watershed District this <br /> morning. Previous to that the wetland delineation report was submitted to the Watershed District. The <br /> Watershed District came back with some comments regarding the technical information that was <br /> collected and a response has been provided. Svoboda indicated they will be reviewing the wetland <br /> boundaries on May 28. <br /> Svoboda stated with respect to some of the wetlands that were excavated,they would have been a Type I <br /> or Type II wetland. Svoboda stated the Y-shape on the overhead is an indication that this natural Type II <br /> wetland has been excavated. The excavated spoil was deposited on the site. Svoboda indicated there <br /> were a number of areas that were excavated. In addition, there is an open excavated pond on the site as <br /> well which has quite a bit of canary grass. There is also a swale with drain tile that provides water flow <br /> into the excavated pond,which regulates the level of the pond. <br /> Svoboda stated to his knowledge that is a brief summary of what has been addressed through the wetland <br /> delineation process and the Conservation Design process. <br /> Landgraver asked if he could summarize his assessment on what constitutes a Big Woods. Landgraver <br /> indicated he is not sure whether Mr. Svoboda is saying they are Big Woods or not. <br /> Svoboda stated this is a remnant of the Big Woods. Svoboda indicated there are some Big Woods <br /> communities in the City of Minnetrista and other areas that have very substantial trees in the 75-plus <br /> category. Svoboda stated there is evidence of some manipulation as far as timber removal, which is <br /> typical of a Big Woods community. In terms of understory, it is typical of a Big Woods community, with <br /> young maple seedlings regenerating. Svoboda indicated the Community will regenerate over time, and as <br /> far as invasion of buckthorn, it is a cleaner community than most. <br /> Mark Gronberg, Gronberg&Associates, stated on some of the other subdivisions that he has worked on <br /> in Orono, one of the goals was to make the development appear unobtrusive from the road, which is one <br /> of the goals with this subdivision. Gronberg stated as someone drives down County Road 6,the prairie <br /> will remain as well as the woods. Gronberg noted there will be a 20-foot wide access near the willow <br /> trees, but if the City does require a 24-foot width, they could add two feet on either side. <br /> Gronberg noted most of the engineering comments are taken care of at the final plat stage. Gronberg <br /> indicated the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will be approached after preliminary plat and that they <br /> will be taking care of all of the City Engineer's comments prior to seeking final plat approval. <br /> Lemke asked how much control the applicant would have over the building sites. <br /> Stickney stated in his view he would have pretty much total control and that they will be reviewing the <br /> building plans with City Staff. Stickney indicated he has set some guidelines and covenants for <br /> construction. <br /> Stickney noted some of the trees that will be removed are not in that great of shape but that they will be <br /> replaced at a 2:1 ratio. Stickney indicated he also went through the property with Rusty Olson on the <br /> septic sites and that some of the sites were relocated in order to save some trees. <br /> Page 14 of 37 <br />