06-15-2015 Planning Commission Packet

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f t FILE#15-3716 8 June 2015 Page 3 of 4 (1Z} Not cause excessive non-residential traffic on residential streets, parking needs that cause a demonstrable inconvenfence to adjoining properties, traffic congestion, or unsafe access; {13) Designed to take into account the natural, scenic, and historic features of the area and to minimize environmental impact; (14) All exterior lighting shall be so directed so as not to cast glare toward or onto the public right-of-way or neighboring residential uses or districts;and (15� Not detrimental to the public health, public safety,or general welfare. Re: Items i & 2. The intent for the proposed grading is consistent witE� the permitted uses for the property and is compliant with the zoning code and comprehensive plan. Re: Items 6, 7, & 8. These criteria relate to whether the proposed improvements are appropriate and in character with the surrounding land and neighborhood. Staff believes the filling and re-grading of the properly, once completed, will have no impact on surrounding lands. The grades, once vegetated,will blend inta the rest of the pasture acreage. Re: Item 9. This standard requires that the proposed grading and imp�ovements must not substant9aily impair the use and enjoymEnt of the property in the area or have an ad�erse impact on the property values in the area when compared to the impairment or impact of generafly permitted uses. The result of the propflsed grading will not change the intended residential use of the property so there should be no change in the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties resulting from the import of�II. However in staff's opinian, the prolonged octivity of importing fill and actively grading the property will have an adverse impact on neighbors, surrounding properties, and users of Watertown Road. Trucks hauling and equipment working on the site will likely result in additional noise, dust, vibratian and traffic on the haul routes and immediate neighbors. To the degree possible, negative impacts should be limited and mitigateci. Re: ltems 10-12 & 15. The criteria discuss mitigation of undesirable views and potential nuisances.The finished grade will be vegetated and crop farmed; it will blend into the property. The project, once comp�eted,should not result in undesirable views requiring mitigatian. The haul routes should be submitted and will be monitored for damage and debris. The applicant wiEl be required to keep debris off of the public roadways.The noise resulting from the trucks hauling and equipment moving the material in and around the site should be minimized to the extent possible. The grading project has been evaluated by and will be monitored by the City Engineer and planning staff so as to minimize nuisances during the project. Re: Item 13. This standard requires that the project be designed to take into account the natural, scenic, and historic features of the area and to minimize environmental impact. A wetland deiineation has been submitted and approved by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District(MCWD). The materia! removed from the wetlands in the previous phase af ti�e project will be returned and the area vegetated as directed by the MCWD. The overall Iong term affect of the project should result in minimal impacts to the wetland and will have minimal if any additional environmental impacts. The project will continue to be monitored by the MCWD,the City, Hennepin County Environmental Senrices, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to prevent erosion from the site and/or sediment deposition into the wetland area.