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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 15,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> section that relate to whether the approved improvements are appropriate and in character with the <br /> surrounding land and neighborhood. Staff believes the filling and re-grading of the property, once <br /> completed, will have no impact on surrounding lands. The grades, once vegetated, will blend into the rest <br /> of the pasture acreage. <br /> Curtis stated Criteria No. 9 requires that the proposed grading and improvements must not substantially <br /> impair the use and enjoyment of the property I the area or have an adverse impact on the property values <br /> in the area when compared to the impairment or impact of generally permitted uses. The ultimate result <br /> of the proposed grading will not change the intended residential use of the property and there should be <br /> no change in the use or enjoyment of adjacent properties resulting from the imported fill. However, it is <br /> Staffls opinion,the prolonged activity of importing the fill and actively grading the property will have an <br /> adverse impact on neighbors, surrounding properties, and users of Watertown Road during the project. <br /> Trucks hauling and equipment working on the site will likely result in additional noise, dust, vibration <br /> and traffic on the haul routes and immediate neighbors. To the degree possible,the adverse impacts <br /> should be limited and mitigated. <br /> Criteria 10 through 12, as well as 15,discuss mitigation of undesirable views and potential nuisances. <br /> The finished grade will be vegetated and crop farmland, which will blend into the property. The project, <br /> once completed, should not result in undesirable views requiring mitigation. Curtis noted the applicant <br /> has planted a considerable number of trees along Watertown Road in order to screen the property further. <br /> The haul routes should be submitted and will be monitored for damage and debris. The applicant will be <br /> required to keep debris off of the public roadways. The resulting noise from the trucks hauling and <br /> equipment moving the material in and around the site should be minimized to the extent possible. The <br /> grading project has been evaluated and will be monitored by the City Engineer and Planning Staff so as to <br /> minimize nuisances during the project. <br /> Criteria 13 is the standard that requires that the project be designed to take into account the natural, <br /> scenic, and historic features of the area and to minimize environmental impact. A wetland delineation has <br /> been submitted and approved by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The material removed from <br /> the wetlands in the previous phase of the project will be returned and the area vegetated as directed by the <br /> MCWD. The project will continue to be monitored by the MCWD, the City, Hennepin County <br /> Environmental Services, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to prevent erosion from the site <br /> and/or sediment deposition into the wetland area. <br /> The Planning Commission should discuss the following: <br /> 1. Does the Planning Commission find that the property owner proposes to use the property in a <br /> reasonable manner which is not permitted by an official control? <br /> 2. Does the Planning Commission find that the conditional use permit, if granted, will not alter the <br /> essential character of the neighborhood? <br /> 3. Does the Commission find it necessary to impose conditions in order to mitigate the impacts <br /> created by the granting of the requested conditional use permit, such as dedicated haul routes, <br /> limited haul days and times, limits to the days and times for equipment activity within the site, <br /> and screening. <br /> Page 10 of 53 <br />