03-18-2013 Planning Commission Packet

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1. 1 �- FILE#12-3548 14 March 2012 Page 3 of 3 Further,the existing wetland to be filled is degraded to the point where replacement of it would result in a certain gain of function and public value, i.e. an environmental benefit. The proposed on-site borrow area shown to the south of the wetland,was originally intended to � meet half of the wetland mitigation requirement on site. Even though this area is not proposed now to provide any of the mitigation,the area will still be graded to the same design and seeded with buffer vegetation. Due to the proposed elevations and proximity to the adjacent wetland, wetland vegetation will migrate to this area, and it will most likely become a low grade wetland . in the future. Since this proposed on-site borrow area will still be graded to the original design intended for wetland mitigation, the area will still provide the same stormwater treatment and rate control as originally proposed. The mitigation provided by the borrow area results in a minimization of the proposed impacts from an original 0.71 acres to 0.42 acres. The proposed plan proposes an additional 12,181 square feet of native buffer above the minimum required. Issues for Consideration ' 1. Does the Planning Commission find that the TEP recommendation for off-site mitigation � combined with the "bonus" of the additional buffer and on-site `stormwater storage mitigation is appropriate? 2. Has the Planning Commission identified any additional mitigation measures to be � implemented? 3. Are there any other issues or concerns with this application? � Staff Recommendation The wetland to be impacted, as reported, is degraded with low quality function and value, and invasive vegetation. On-site mitigation would likely result in a similar low quality wetland as currently'exists. Allowing the applicant to conduct the wetland filling activity results in the creation of a new, higher quality wetland mitigation as the proposed mitigation wetlands provide a gain in wetland function and value. Planning Staff recommends approval of the wetland alteration permit (CUP) and the rezoning to remove the fifled areas from the Wetland Overlay District. The applicant should provide the City with the digital wetland boundary (post-fill) in Hennepin County coordinates to finalize the rezoning. Submittal of MCWD permits indicating approval of the project should be required for the administrative land alteration permit to be issued by the City as well.