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Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Thursday, April 10, 2014 <br />Page 3 <br />Mr. Lloyd clarified that it was inherent that the suggested motion would include those <br />92 <br />items as detailed in the staff report dated April 10, 2014 as presented, along with the <br />93 <br />recommendations in Section 9 specifying those conditions. <br />94 <br />At the request of Member Stellmach, Mr. Lloyd reviewed the preliminary tree preservation <br />95 <br />plan and percentage of trees and buffer zones; noting that the trees were identified per <br />96 <br />caliper size based on those scheduled for removal. In current calculations, still in a <br />97 <br />preliminary stage, Mr. Lloyd noted that it appeared that approximately one quarter of the <br />98 <br />trees would be removed, with many focused in front and in the immediate vicinity of the <br />99 <br />infiltration pond, as provided on the displayed map. <br />100 <br />At the request of Member Daire, Mr. Lloyd clarified that the majority of the trees were <br />101 <br />proposed for removal within the easement areas and dedicated rights-of-way, in an effort <br />102 <br />to realign the storm water drainage infrastructure improvements (e.g. infiltration pipes and <br />103 <br />basin). <br />104 <br />Member Daire questioned if the Public Works Department had determined that the <br />105 <br />proposed drainage pond would be sufficient to hold the additional water coming off the <br />106 <br />adjacent streets. <br />107 <br />Mr. Lloyd advised that he Public Works Department was continuing to work with the <br />108 <br />developer to make sure storm water drainage is handled on site according to City Code <br />109 <br />and Watershed District requirements, whether it was coming from the site itself or flowing <br />110 <br />onto the site from elsewhere. <br />111 <br />At the prompting of Member Daire, Mr. Lloyd confirmed that any runoff from the street <br />112 <br />would be intercepted by catch basins and diverted through pipes into the infiltration pond. <br />113 <br />Mr. Paschke noted that, at this preliminary stage of the proposed development, no final <br />114 <br />plans for drainage had been submitted, with staff at this point reviewing details on the <br />115 <br />preliminary plans, and then following through as the process continued. <br />116 <br />Applicant representatives were present, but had no comments beyond the staff <br />117 <br />presentation and report. <br />118 <br />Public Comment <br />119 <br />Mike Metz, 320 County Road B West (across the street from subject property) <br />120 <br />Mr. Metz observed that it appeared 90% of the trees on the tree preservation map <br />121 <br />appeared to be marked for removal; and while he had no problem since other than those <br />122 <br />directly around the dwelling were not necessarily worth saving. <br />123 <br />Mr. Paschke clarified that only certain species and/or sizes counted toward tree <br />124 <br />preservation requirements, as the removal of some species was preferred and not <br />125 <br />required to be saved. <br />126 <br />Mr. Metz opined that, depending on the remaining tree coverage, it would be nice to see <br />127 <br />a re-vegetation plan to accommodate future reforestation. <br />128 <br />Regarding drainage, Mr. Metz suggested this may be a prudent time to incorporate <br />129 <br />drainage solutions from a broader area, such as the MnDOT area’s drainage developed <br />130 <br />as part of the highway system. Mr. Metz suggested including that mitigation as part of this <br />131 <br />development if possible. <br />132 <br />Mr. Paschke, clarifying that Mr. Metz was suggesting co-mingling ponding on this <br />133 <br />development site with that of MnDOT property, and expressed his doubt, based on past <br />134 <br />discussions and experience, that MnDOT would be receptive to that. Mr. Paschke noted <br />135 <br />that MnDOT had very little land in some of their rights-of-way; and while in some cases <br />136 <br />co-mingling could occur, in this case he didn’t see that possibility. Mr. Paschke noted that <br />137 <br />it was worth asking MnDOT, but he felt they would not be receptive to the suggestion. <br />138 <br />Mr. Metz questioned his understanding for the rational in moving from LDR-1 to LDR-2 <br />139 <br />zoning, expressing his concern as well as several neighbors that this may create an <br />140 <br /> <br />