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Melanie Curtis <br /> From: Melanie Curtis <br /> Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 9:49 AM <br /> To: 'Roseanna.bradford@gmail.com' <br /> Cc: Mike Gaffron; Christine Mattson <br /> Subject: 2480 Cobblestone Ct <br /> Attachments: admin@ci.orono.mn.us_20110516 153337.pdf; admin@ci.orono.mn.us 20110516_153404_ <br /> 001.jpg; admin@ci.orono.mn.us 20110516_153404 002.jpg; admin@ci.orono.mn.us_ <br /> 20110516_153404_003.jpg; admin@ci.orono.mn.us_20110516_153704.pdf <br /> Good morning Roseanna <br /> As you know, after you met with us on Friday I needed to do a more extensive review of the file for your property to <br /> determine whether or not you can construct a deck or porch on the south side of your unit. I looked into the file and <br /> spoke with Mike Gaffron yesterday. It appears that there are a number of issues which will prohibit construction of any <br /> structure which exceeds your allowed cantilevered encroachment of 30"outside of your lot line. The area shown in <br /> yellow on the attached site plans is a wetland buffer mitigation area required by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District <br /> (MCWD) to make up for wetland &wetland buffer encroachments from your unit and the one next door. Your unit is <br /> shown in red. <br /> When your home was constructed, the City's required wetland setback was 26-feet for structures. Since that time our <br /> Codes have been revised to require a 25-foot buffer and a 20-foot setback from the buffer—essentially a 45-foot setback <br /> from the wetland. As a point of reference, the gray shaded area on site map #2 reflects the MCWD's required 35-foot <br /> buffer. Unfortunately what I believe this leaves you — regardless of the HOA requirements/allowances— is a deck 5.5 feet <br /> in depth from the edge of your home as we discussed on Friday. If you would like a better understanding of the history <br /> on this issue I encourage you to call Mike Gaffron at 952.249.4622. There are City and MCWD applications which include <br /> wetland buffer mitigation and setback variances, re-platting and other approvals you can seek in order to construct a <br /> larger deck, however it is my opinion that it would be quite expensive, require survey(s) and possibly wetland <br /> delineations and approval would not be guaranteed. I can review this with you from the City's perspective if you wish but <br /> I would also encourage you to speak with James Wisker at the MCWD as well. <br /> I do have some good news... I spoke with Mike about the incomplete rain garden, yard and thistles surrounding your <br /> home. He indicated that it is the City's intent to complete this portion of the project with funds from the development <br /> letter of credit. This would include completion of the final wear course on Cobblestone Court as well as the associated, <br /> required landscape improvements. We will not complete the final wear course on the road at this time until the next two <br /> units are constructed, however we can complete the landscape improvements at this time. Please contact Mike to discuss <br /> this process. <br /> Hopefully the attachments will help you a little with the background and reasoning behind what was done and approved. <br /> Please feei free to contact Mike Gaffron or me if you have any questions. <br /> Melanie <br /> Melanie Curtis <br /> Planning & Zoning Coordinator <br /> City of Orono <br /> 2750 Kelley Parkway <br /> Orono, MN 55356 <br /> Direct Dial: 952.249.4627 <br /> Fax: 952.249.4616 <br /> Planning &Zoning Office 952.249.4620 <br /> Email: mcurtisCaaci.orono.mn.us <br /> Website: www.ci.orono.mn.us <br /> 1 <br /> l <br />