Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/29/2002

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The developer has submitted a tree protection plan. Currently the City has no ordinances governing tree preservation. At this time, the plan appears to be generally acceptable, but the City is encouraging the developer to work closely with City Staff to identify additional areas for tree protection. The City of Ramsey has recently adopted a density transition ordinance. Although it is not now in effect, staff would encourage the applicant to apply density transition techniques to the plat since the development abuts a large-lot R~I Single Family development to the north. The project is also subject to the review and permitting process of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (WMO) and MPCA. Comments regarding the drainage, grading, and utility plans are contained in the staff review letter. Park dedication and trail issues will be discussed at a future Park Commission meeting. City Staff recommends preliminary plat approval subject to compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated August 20, 2002. Chairperson Nixt read points of a letter from the PONDS organization dated August 22, 2002. He stated the letter would be entered into the record of the public hearing minutes. Citizen Input Mr. Kevin McGee, AllState Development, stated his office received the letter from the PONDS organization and some issues have been addressed but some cannot be addressed. He stated he wished they would have come forward sooner with the letter. He stated he would get in contact with the people and address issues. He stated in regard to the other letters, he believes they have addressed all of them through their engineer. He stated they do have a tree preservation plan and they plan to try to save trees and keep wetlands in a better condition than they are in. Colleen Olsen, 15291 Sodium Street, stated she had the property with the sanitary sewer running through it. She stated there have been sightings of Blandings Turtles where they are proposing the sewer go through and she has pictures of them. She stated there would be a lot of trees lost if the wetland is uprooted and the sanitary sewer is run through it. She would like an environmental assessment done on this property. Ms. Olsen stated she has lived in Ramsey since 1997 and her kids have rescued turtles and brought them back to the wetlands. She showed pictures of a turtle and trees in backyard. She stated they bought the lot for the trees on the lot and they are fully grown trees. She stated this would change a lot of landscaping if the sewer goes in. Mr. Jankowski stated there are sets of plans that are prepared for the sewer extension and some statements that have been made are not correct. He stated that no large oaks would be lost. The surveyors tagged trees to make sure they were accounted for and then the tags were removed. He stated there would be a meeting next Tuesday, September 3, at 6:30 pm with residents to discuss this with them. Chairperson Nixt asked if Mr. Jankowski could indicate where the sewer route would be. Planning Commission/August 29, 2002 Page 7 of 18