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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 13, 2017 4 MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2017-008 – Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities. The motion carried (3-0). C. Resolution 2017-006 Vacating Drainage Easement – Boston Scientific – 4100 Hamline Avenue North (PC 2017-005) Senior Planner Bachler stated there are several wetlands on the Boston Scientific campus that are protected by drainage easements granted to the City or Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). Between 2006 and 2015, Boston Scientific completed grading work in the area between Buildings 10 and 14 to establish a snow storage area that resulted in the unintentional filling of two wetlands. One wetland was entirely filled while the other was partially filled. Both of these wetlands were covered by a drainage easement granted to the City in 1992 in Document Number 2671697. Boston Scientific has requested that the City approve a vacation of that part of the drainage easement that covered the two impacted wetlands. The easement covers other wetland areas on the property that would not be impacted as a result of the proposed vacation. Senior Planner Bachler reported Boston Scientific is currently working with RCWD to address the wetland impact issue. The City approved the original campus Master Plan for Boston Scientific in 2002, and the company was required to obtain permits from RCWD at that time for construction projects that resulted in the loss of wetlands. Boston Scientific intentionally created excess wetland mitigation credits for use with future development plans on the site. These credits will be applied towards the unapproved wetland removal and it does not appear that additional mitigation will be required at this time. Senior Planner Bachler explained the City will typically require property owners to grant drainage easements at the time of subdivision or new development in order to protect private drainage facilities that connect into and impact public stormwater infrastructure. The purpose of having these easements in place is to ensure that the City can perform maintenance on private stormwater facilities in the event the work is not completed by the property owner. Senior Planner Bachler stated the legal document for the easement states that at the time it was granted, it was the policy of RCWD to request that property owners convey to the appropriate municipality drainage easements over protected wetlands. The purpose of this policy was, in part, to notify future property owners of land use limitations. Staff reviewed the request in further detail and recommended approval of the easement vacation. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Councilmember Holmes asked if new wetlands would need to be created. Senior Planner Bachler did not believe additional mitigation would have to occur and noted a final determination would be made by the Rice Creek Watershed District.