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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,April 17,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Kinve indicated he would be in support of an ordinance that gives the residents guidance on where the <br /> lines are so then they do not have to worry about the water level changing periodically. <br /> Barnhart stated that is part of the challenge and the reason why delineations are only valid for five years. <br /> Thiesse noted the delineation and the amount of wetland were developed for this specific property. <br /> Barnhart commented he is not sure what the WACA rules states regarding that. <br /> Christopher Jones, 2320 Longview Circle, noted he did submit some written comments regarding this <br /> issue. Jones stated he would like to commend Staff for their excellent recitation of Orono's history in <br /> protecting the water quality of the area lakes and streams. Jones stated what that points to is the fact that <br /> Orono really does care about water quality and has taken very proactive steps to protect that so it does <br /> continue to preserve the quality of water that flows down the creek. <br /> Earlier this evening there were comments made about abdicating the rights, responsibilities, and the <br /> power of the City Council and the Planning Commission. Jones stated the ability to control things at the <br /> local level, especially as more and more developments take place, is important. Jones noted the purpose <br /> of the buffer is to keep large amounts of water from reaching the watershed too quickly and that the City <br /> needs to look carefully at any structures that shed water into the wetland regardless if it is a shed or a <br /> sports court. If a case by case basis is needed,that option should be made available. <br /> Jones stated when it comes to lakeshore property,those property owners should be required to do <br /> something to mitigate runoff from going into the lake directly, such as an additional buffer zone or <br /> plantings. <br /> Chair Thiesse closed the public hearing at 11:13 p.m. <br /> Schwingler commented he appreciates Mr. Kinve's experience with this and that he has had several <br /> people call and say they wanted the opportunity to have input but they just found out about it. Schwingler <br /> noted the Watershed District looks out for the interests of the District and not necessarily the City. <br /> Schwingler noted Long Lake has Grade D water quality and Lake Minnetonka is worse than it ever has <br /> been. Schwingler stated in his view the City should get more public input. <br /> Barnhart stated the Planning Commission could table this item to allow for more discussion. <br /> Schwingler commented the discussion should also include Big Island. <br /> Landgraver stated his inclination would be to not make a change on the buffers until there is a robust <br /> discussion on it and to go with Option 1 at this time. <br /> Olson asked what a desk delineation would look like for someone who is doing a major remodel of the <br /> house. Olson asked whether a desk delineation could miss some things. <br /> Barnhart indicated a full delineation is the gold standard and hopefully will catch everything in terms of <br /> the wetland boundaries. A desk review would be a review of the currently available information <br /> regarding what the wetland delineation is or the boundaries are in order to measure setbacks. Barnhart <br /> Page 41 of 48 <br />