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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 15,2015 <br /> 6:30 dclock p.m. <br /> septic sites and driveways in places that will help ensure there will be a zero loss of trees. Preservation of <br /> the trees is one of the major concepts of this development and there is a very strict tree preservation and <br /> replacement covenant to further help preserve the trees. Stickney noted the covenants will dictate where <br /> the building pads and driveways will be. <br /> Stickney indicated he has walked the entire property and that they have identified the invasive species that <br /> need to be removed. Stickney stated the Medina piece will be planted with prairie grasses next spring, <br /> with all of the invasive plants being sprayed as soon as possible. Stickney indicated they will be burning <br /> the prairies on the Orono portion in the spring, followed by a replanting of native plants. <br /> Stickney stated as it relates to the wetlands,the Watershed District walked the site with Frank Svoboda on <br /> Thursday and Friday. A small amount of wetland was added and all invasive species will be taken care of <br /> and managed. <br /> Stickney indicated he made some other revisions to the lots by increasing the size of the outlots. Stickney <br /> noted the average dry building area is 3.1 acres where the City's code requires two acres per lot. Stickney <br /> pointed out he did not add another lake lot even though that could be done. <br /> Stickney noted there are three different classifications of trees depending on age in this area, and that the <br /> number of mature trees that are over 75 years of age that will be lost is 11. Stickney reiterated that he is <br /> doing as much as possible to prevent tree loss, which has been reduced overall to seven percent. Stickney <br /> stated he has avoided the areas with the biggest concentration of trees. <br /> Stickney stated in his opinion there is no reason for a conservation easement since the homeowners <br /> association can monitor the area and that the building pads are not in that area. Stickney indicated they <br /> will continue to make some minor tweaks and revisions but that the layout has been designed to preserve <br /> as many of the natural features and trees on the site as possible. Stickney indicated he would also like to <br /> play an active part in the management of Mooney Lake and that the buffer zones around the lakes and <br /> ponds will be significant. <br /> Stickney stated in his view this is a wonderful development and everything is above the City's normal <br /> acceptable limits. Stickney noted they are not changing any drainage patterns and that they are <br /> attempting to preserve and improve what is there. Stickney stated he is here tonight to ask the Planning <br /> Commission for their approval. <br /> Leskinen asked when the Watershed District approval is anticipated. <br /> Frank Svoboda, Svoboda Ecological Resources, stated they reviewed the wetland boundaries with the <br /> Minnehaha Creek Watershed District on Thursday and also met with the Army Corps of Engineers on <br /> Friday. One very small wetland was added,the boundary of Wetland No. 10 was changed, and purple <br /> loosestrife was found near Wetland No. 10. Svoboda indicated they are in the process of revising those <br /> numbers and that the information should be ready to be submitted to the Watershed District tomorrow. <br /> Leskinen noted the application will not move forward to the City Council without approval from the <br /> Watershed District. <br /> Stickney stated they are anticipating having that by June 17. <br /> Landgraver asked if he is willing to grant covenants to the City. <br /> Page 4 of 53 <br />