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-r �.. Attachment F NAFtFtl�i1VE �OR YAFtfANC� ��Pi�CATIOf� Lot 34 �f 2950 Owasso �tvd i�l. We res�eetfuliy request a variance be issued far Lot 34 of Owasso Lake Park that would a(low us to ir�nprove the existing driveway in preparation for building a house vn the iot. The existing driveway was originally buift to service the home at 2950 Qwassa Bivd W in the 1950's, but has not been used as such since the 1990's. In August of 2006, a small area south/southwest of the existing drive was classified as a Type 1 wetland, a seasonally flooded basin (generally March through May). This creates a confiict with the City Code 1016.16 which requires driveways ta have a 30 foot setback from any wetland. The existing driveway has a 10-19 foot setback from fhis newiy delineated marginal wetland. 4ur plans for this property include building a LEED certified h�me and maintaining as much of the natural state of the property as possibie, including protecting the wetland areas on the property. We want ta maintain and protect the wooded nature of the (ot and limit any changes or plantings to predominantfy native species. At first, we assumed it would be best to relocate the driveway. After studying the lot drainage patterns, major trees, and existing driveway location, it is clear to us that relocatir�g the driveway would be significantly more harmful to the property than a careful and thoughtful improvement of the existing driveway. Relocating the driveway wouVd involve remova! of a 13 inch diameter evergreen and more than a dozen native deciduaus trees. !t would require 814 cubic yards of fill in a {ow lying area which acts as a key drainage area for the street end of the lot, and would destroy the area on the propesty which contains the greatest diversity af plants. In additian, if we are required to relacate the driveway, we woufd have the prablem of the existing driveway stil! being present and unable to support tree growth or native plantings withaut extensive excavation of the grave[ base. Cost becomes a factor as well, but mostly from the stand paint of cost to the naturaf quafities of the lot. Driveway relocation has a dallar cost close to ihree times as much as improving what exists and at the same time destroys more in terms of the natural state of the land. In contrast, the existing driveway can be improved without removing any trees except to complete the buckthorn eradication. The anfy 3 species of wetiand pfants present (box elder, American elm, and greer� ash trees) would nat be harmed by having a driveway closer than 30 feet. And most importantly, by regrading the existing driveway to send runoff away from the wetland, water qua(ity can be maintained or even improved. !n conclusion, ail indications are that this driveway setback variance wif! not have a detrimental impact on this marginai wetland. Kris Simonson Stew Roberts