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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 26, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 14 of 21 (9. WETLAND DELINEATIONS CODE INTERPRETATION, Continued) Amy Hubbard, 945 Willow View Drive, asked if it is typical for the wetland delineations to expand. Hubbard stated she finds that concerning as a property owner and that she is wondering if the Council knows what the trend is for that type of property. Gaffron stated in his view there is not a trend and that it is dependent upon the weather. The wetland delineation process takes into account soil types and the hydrology of the area. Gaffron stated he cannot make a general statement that wetlands in the City are getting bigger or smaller and that every piece of literature acknowledges that wetlands change over time. Hubbard stated there has been a great difference in a short amount of time, which raises some concern. Gaffron stated the wetland delineations that were done for this development occurred before any dirt was moved around. The movement of the dirt made potential changes to the wetlands that were not as predictable as the City would like them to be. In addition, more water to the area was added which can have an impact on the wetlands after the wetland delineation was done. McMillan commented the City has also had issues with the Stone Bay development and that the hydrology of an area does change over time. Kanive commented there has to be a better solution that what currently exists. McMillan stated they look at different soil types and other factors. Kanive indicated he has more buffer than what is required and that there is an incentive to mow that down to keep the wetland from expanding. McMillan stated the wetland can expand regardless of the vegetation depending on the soils and the development of organic matter. Kanive stated he does not agree with the analysis and that he has conflicting information from the City’s. Kanive indicated he will pursue it further. Printup asked if the exercise the City went through several months ago simplified the process. Gaffron stated it did in that every element of the City’s buffer requirements was passed to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The City no longer has a wetland buffer requirement but the City now has a wetland setback in order to have some kind of guarantee that development will not happen right up to a wetland. It was never the intent of the City to make all of its wetland protections go away. Printup noted it was also stated that a variance could be applied for. Mattick stated the property owner would need to meet the practical difficulty criteria, which is part of the analysis when the application is made. Kanive asked if the neighborhood receives wetland credits that they can sell. Item #03 - CC Agenda - 09/09/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 08/26/2013 [Page 14 of 21]