06/01/10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Observations: This item was discussed by the HRA on February 9, 2010, and the attached table outlined seven possible courses of action the HRA might consider to resolve the existing RTC wetland permit. The three least costly options (A — C) anticipate following the RTC's current permit proposal, which includes the WNW wetland in some form. The remaining four alternatives (D — G) proposed filling the WNW wetland and incorporating this area into developable land. A meeting was held with the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) of the LRRWMO on May 11, 2010 to discuss these options for bringing the existing permit into compliance. We also communicated the evolution of the COR and our desire to remain flexible with development scenarios on the western portion of the site by retaining sufficient area to accommodate a large retailer, therefore recommending one of the options to fill the WNW wetland. The TEP was accepting of our approach to follow through with the creation of the Charter School and NW wetland mitigation areas, and were supportive of revising the existing permit to allow for the creation of additional credits on site or purchased off -site to substitute for the proposed enhancement/expansion of the WNW wetland mitigation area. This work can be accomplished by undertaking the design and implementation for the substantially completed mitigations areas, and providing for the required five year monitoring requirements. Staff could prepare a scope of services and request quotes for this work from contractors that specialize in performing wetland mitigation. Doing this now would assist in completing the East Meandering Commons Park project as the Charter School wetland mitigation area is located at the east end of the park and could be coordinated into the existing project. The design, implementation, and monitoring of the mitigation areas to comply with the existing permit is estimated at $25,000, and the required deficient banking credits are estimated at $55,000. The TEP were not supportive of allowing impacts to the existing WNW wetland without a plan in place showing that these impacts are necessary, and they cannot arbitrarily approve wetland impacts without proving that such impacts are unavoidable. They did agree, however, that this existing WNW wetland is of low quality and they would not be opposed to impacts if a development scenario could demonstrate the required WCA rules were followed. This means that a permit will be required in the future when a specific development proposal comes forward that would potentially impact the remaining wetlands on the site (WNW area). Any future impact that would require a permit could be mitigated by purchasing banking credits, minimizing proposed impacts under a development proposal, or incorporating mitigation into the west side vision of the COR. Funding: Funding for these proposed wetland actions are included in the future land sales budget for the COR. Recommendation: Staff recommends proceeding with the mitigation requirements of the existing permit by contracting for the vegetative establishment and monitoring of the Charter School and NW wetland areas, and purchasing the required deficient banking credits at an estimated cost of $80,000. Attached are photos