Agenda - Council - 11/26/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Pete Raatikka, Hakanson Anderson, explained that he spoke to some experts regarding the Blandings turtles in .putting together his report. In his report he addressed the general site information. He explained that the site includes a pastured area, and two Small wetlands on the site, which are both less than 4/10ths of an acre. The type of vegetation surrounding those wetlands are canary grass, which is not conducive to Blandings turtle habitat. If by chance they were to find a Blandings turtle on the site they would follow the DNR guidelines. The wetlands will not be destroyed as part of the development, in fact they will be adding sediment ponds. They will be planting additional trees throughout the site. The wetland where the trunk sewer will be constructed will be brought back to its original condition. The wildlife in the area is adaptable to urban development. The water quality will be improved by adding two sediment ponds and the reduction of pasture and on-site systems. It was his opinion that the EAW is not warranted because the impacts are very minimal and actually some are positive for the area. Principal City Engineer Olson noted that as part of the Ponds case, the same issue did come up and the City hired ProSource Technology, who Mr.: Raatikka did talk to, 'and. they came to the determination than an EAW was not necessary. The developer did change the curbing in that case to help provide better movement for the turtles. In this development all of the curbing would be sloped. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Mayor Gamec, to adopt the preliminary plat contingent on the following items: 1. The City Council finding that an EAW is not necessary or warranted for the Villas of Meadow Point subdivision after the City hires an independent consultant at the Developer's expense to. review the citizen petition and provide guidance to the City Council. It is understood that nothing in the conditional approval of the preliminary plat will excuse the project pro~3oser from making project changes or implementing mitigation measures that are warranted on the basis of information collected during the environmental review process. Further it is understood that the conditional approval will not be a factor in determining whether an EAW will be required for the project. Finally, the conditional approval does not prevent the City or other governmental body from making a determination that a feasible alternative or a no-build alternative is justified and the project as proposed will not be approved. 2. No final plat will be considered by the City Council until a determination on the citizen petition is made by the City. If an EAW is deemed necessary, no further approvals will be allowed in relation to the project nor any althration to the site will be allowed until the City Council makes an EIS needs determination in regard to the project. If an EAW is required, the applicant shall resubmit to the City Council a revised preliminary plat showing alterations and mitigation measures as required by the EAW. The applicant complying with City staff review letter dated August 20, 2002, revised September 20, 2002, revised October 4, 2002, revised October 18, 2002. 4. The applicant receiving site plan approval of the two-unit townhomes. 5. Language being inserted in the Development Agreement that define the financial responsibilities between the City and the developer regarding extension of sanitary sewer trunk lines, which has been defined as a, b, c, and d on pages 301 and 302 of this agenda. City Council/October 22, 2002 Page 30 of 36 ,229-