Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/06/2017

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DATE PROJECT. TITLE ESCROW # DEPARTMENT: TECHNICAL REVIEWER: CITY OF RAMSEY LAND USE APPLICATION TECHNICAL REVIEW FILE JUNE 30, PROJECT ADDRESS 7214 167111 TERRACE 2017 7214 167TH TERRACE VARIANCE REQUEST Engineering Name: Leonard Linton Phone: 763 433-9834 Email: llinton@ci.ramsey.mn.us We have received an application for a variance request to place a fence in a drainage and utility easement, crossing between a pond and the overflow area. The project is located in the Brookfield Addition Development. History The Brookfield Addition is a 179 acre residential development located in the north central part of the City. The land was in agricultural production prior to development. Several wetlands were delineated on the site including the one on this property. The development plans proposed leaving the wetland in place, with homes on the northeast and northwest sides of the wetland and constructing a stormwater pond on the southwest side of the wetland. The grading plan indicated that water from the pond would flow into the wetland during the 100 year event. The lot in question is triangular shaped and encompassed the southern half of this wetland. The wetland is covered by drainage and utility easements on all of the lots. Staff received a fence application in June 2016, requesting to place a fence along the perimeter of the lot. This would have placed a barrier across the overflow from the pond to the wetland. The City does not allow placement of barriers in storm water management areas. Fences have been allowed in drainage and utility easements adjacent to ponds when the base of the fence is above the 100 year high water level of the pond. This fence would have been below the 100 year high water level so the application was denied. Staff reviewed the project file prior to denying this request. The approved grading plan indicated that the normal water level of the wetland was 871.0, with the 100 year elevation of the wetland and pond at 872.56. Staff had phone conversations and discussions with the applicant at the building department counter several times after denying the application. Staff did offer an option to place a fence on the lot closer to the house, keeping the fence above the 100 year water elevation but the applicant rejected this option.