01-06-2014 Council Minutes Special Meeting

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 6, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 27 (1. #13-3638 and #13-3639 SOURCE LAND CAPITAL, LLC (PAT HILLER) O/B/O GRANT WENKSTERN (LAKEVIEW GOLF), 405 NORTH ARM DRIVE – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND SKETCH PLAN REVIEW, Continued) Hiller stated they elected to continue to propose a single entrance off of West Branch, which would take the traffic off of North Arm. Currently the traffic is routed to the four-way stop and traffic from the development would instead be diverted to West Branch. In addition, the revised plan does account for the natural pathways. The first area of concern raised by the residents related to traffic. Hiller indicated they spoke with Hennepin County traffic engineers and asked them to look at the combined elements of the traffic from both the Lakeview and Red Oak developments. Hennepin County has indicated in an e-mail that they prefer the one access on to West Branch and they are not suggesting any additional turn lanes or modifications to what currently exists in the area of the four-way stop. Hiller noted there are approximately 260 round trips per day currently through the two-way stop. Roughly that same amount of traffic will be directed to the four-way stop. As it relates to septic system viability, Hiller indicated they underwent a two-step process. Identified first were zones of native soils and areas where the soil will percolate. Those areas were then incorporated into the design. Hiller stated their septic expert identified 14 sites that were on the margin and those were tested prior to the ground freezing. All of those sites passed except for one. Hiller noted they did not have time to complete more testing prior to freezing. In regards to stormwater management, Hiller stated he appreciates the concerns raised by the citizens’ environmental consultant, but noted they have not submitted a preliminary plat application and that they are still at the concept stage. Hiller stated in his view they have provided considerably more information than usual for this stage of the process in order to substantiate the viability of their proposal. Hiller indicated their plan will include onsite filtering ponds, which will control the rate of runoff from the site, and improve the water quality. Hiller indicated they have also been working with the Watershed District, who has seen the progression of designs, and the Watershed District is generally on board with what is being proposed. Hiller stated the idea is to continue to work with them and utilize their expertise as it relates to this development. Hiller indicated they also looked at the typical water usage for 55 homes, which was determined to be approximately 30 percent less than the golf course. Hiller noted the golf course is required to report to the DNR every year the water usage from the aquifer on the site. The number the Wenksterns has been reporting the last three years has been right around 20 million gallons, which is measured through the meters on the pumps. Hiller stated if you look at the 55 proposed homes and take an average number of 300 gallons per day, there will be a decrease of approximately six million gallons from what is currently being used by the golf course. Hiller stated their preferred option for water at this time is to work out a deal with the City of Minnetrista to bring in city water to this development. Discussions have been held with the City of Minnetrista and their initial thought was that they would consider it. Hiller noted a formal request needs to be made before a final decision will be made by Minnetrista. Hiller stated given the development of the Red Oak Golf Course, it seemed logical to extend the water to the Lakeview development as well. Hiller noted the alternative would be to drill 55 private wells.