2003-03-12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. " Memo ft~ ~&- There are two creeks within Centerville: Clearwater and Acorn. Acorn Creek is located on the east side of Acorn Park. Both creeks receive storm water from the Centerville storm water system. Along with the . three DNR protected wetlands, there is a series of small ponds contained within the city. Some of the ponds support minor fishing, however the ponds within the city are generally used for collecting storm water and not for recreational purposes. FEATURES The topography of the city is generally flat The soils are clay and the groundwater table underneath the city is very shallow. It was noted that there is often standing water when it rains and wet basements are a common residential complaint. lAND USE Development in the area is fairly recent, generally occurring in the last 20 years. Development has been steady but is starting to slow down as the amount of available land decreases. The dominant land use within the city is single family residential. Approximately 15% of residentially zoned land in the city is undeveloped. A majority of the residential lots are large in size and low density; however; all new . development is connected to city water and sewer. ' There is a relatively small degree of light industrial and commercial development Property zoned for commercial and industrial use is largely undeveloped within the city. The developed industrial properties are generally very low impact. Some equipment (construction equipment, heavy trucks, etc) is stored outside without cover. Terminal Transport isa company within Centerville that stores heavy equipment outside. The light industrial facilities are not known to use particularly harmful substances. There is one commercial car wash that discharges to the sanitary sewer system. ORGAN2ATIONANDCOMMUNnY The municipal organization of th~ city is very small. The Public Works department includes the Public Works Director and a two person support staff. The city also has a full time building inspector. Because the city shares borders and water resources with Lino Lakes, the two cities share cost on some maintenance. ' The RCWD and the DNR are involved in local decision-making regarding storm water issues. The RCWD has done some improvements to Centerville Lake. Local lake associations and town home associations are also involved, generally regarding buffer strips and other pond related issues. There is a lake association working to protect water quality and to encourage the growth of shoreline plants to provide suitable bird habitat. (A rookery has been established in an attempt to increase the bird population.) The city is working with the watershed on plan approval of new developments including the requirement of a vegetative buffer surrounding the ponds; however, some older developments within the city have lots which have landscaped all the way to the pond. A MN DNR pond in the southwest corner of the city has a watershed-required buffer of ,15-20 ft. Infrequent citizen complaints about water quality within the city have generally been related to aesthetiCs. Centerville has a storm water fund to pay for maintenance to the existing storm water system. The storm water fund is restored through the collection of area charges for new developments and a water quality charge of $21quarter. The city is currently finishing a Storm Water Management Plan, which will address how storm water expenditures are handled in the future. . POTENTIAL SOURCES OF POLLUTION The city representatives noted they have little in the way of water quality issues. Runoff from residential lawns was discussed as a potential pollution source. Residents thrdwing grass clippings and pet waste into the ponds have been issues in the past, although generally not a major concern. Feces from dogs and Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderllk and Associates, Inc. 2335 West Highway 36 + St. Paul, MN 55113 + Phone: 651-636-4600 + Fax: 651-636-1311