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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, October 20, 2014 <br />6:30 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />Page 10 of 28  <br />  <br />ecosystem, there are a few species of trees that are inconsistent with that, such as red cedars, junipers, <br />Colorado spruces, cottonwoods and ash/box elders. Those trees will be thinned to promote healthy <br />growth of young oaks, maples and basswoods. Hiller stated they would like some flexibility with further <br />tree removal in light of the fact that they are creating this new ecosystem. <br /> <br />The current landscape plan shows the addition of 359 trees along the boulevards per City Code, which is <br />one every 40 feet. Hiller stated he is not sure whether the City would like that in light of the prairie <br />restoration and that they are seeking complete relief of that tree requirement in light of the extensive site <br />restoration and other costs being incurred. Hiller noted the vast majority of trees on the site will be <br />maintained even with the possible removal of other trees in connection with the prairie restoration or <br />building sites. <br /> <br />Schoenzeit noted one of the requests that is still open is whether the site is able to handle all of the water <br />and not pass it on to the adjoining property owners. Schoenzeit asked if that has been addressed. <br /> <br />Hiller stated there are basically four culverts where the water currently exits the site. Hiller pointed out <br />on the overhead the location of the culverts. Hiller stated three of the four currently flow out and one <br />flows in. The concern raised by one of the neighbors related to one of the culverts. Hiller indicated they <br />will be re-grading that area and the water will be kept on site and diverted to another drainage area. <br /> <br />Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. <br /> <br />Donna Hager, 4580 West Branch Road, stated she lives on the south side of the golf course and that she <br />really likes the idea of having nature around her. Hager stated she has a number of trees on her property <br />and that this area has been cited as a critical corridor for wildlife. Hager indicated she has a problem with <br />the development because she will be able to look out her back window and see all of these posts that say <br />septic in the conservation areas. Hager commented that seems like an oxymoron since there is this area <br />for nature but yet it has a septic system. <br /> <br />Hager noted a few years ago the golf course decided to raise the green located behind her house, as well <br />as the tee-off area, and tons of dirt were brought in, which pushed the green and tee-off area closer to her <br />house. Hager indicated that work resulted in water runoff toward her house and toward the neighbor’s <br />house and essentially created a wetland even though her home was built into a hill. Hager indicated there <br />is also a deep ditch that runs down between her neighbor’s property and her property. Currently the <br />neighbor’s yard is filled with water every spring down by the road and that there are definitely water <br />problems at the present time. <br /> <br />Hager stated she does not know a lot about septic systems but that she does know mound systems will <br />raise the grade of the land, which will likely cause additional runoff onto her property. Hager noted her <br />basement was flooded this spring, which has never occurred to that degree before. Hager stated she is <br />attempting to envision what it will be like when the mound systems are installed. Hager stated the mound <br />systems will also impede her view of the golf course, which was already impeded when the green was <br />raised. Hager stated she does not want contaminated water or additional runoff onto her property since it <br />affects the value of her property and her life. <br /> <br />Mike Schulte, 4640 West Branch Road, stated he also has some concerns regarding the water runoff and <br />that he is one of Donna Hager’s neighbors. Schulte stated at the present time the locations of all the drain <br />tile is unknown and that Bolton and Menk has provided Exhibits B and C, which raise a lot of questions <br />Item #01 - PC Agenda - 11/17/2014 <br />Approval of Planning Commission Minutes 10/20/2014 <br />[Page 10 of 28]