Minutes - Planning Commission - 11/05/2001

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appropriation permit will also be required if any de-watering or pumping is conducted in conjunction with the excavation. A permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is also required. City Staff recommends approval of the request contingent upon the applicant obtaining all other necessary permits. Citizen Input Greg Matuseski, 8840 181st Avenue N.W. stated he can hear machines for most of the day. He said he did not feel Mr. Enstrom was following the first permit properly. Mr. Matuseski stated he called the City and reported that the City stated that Mr. Enstrom can do whatever he wants including digging until 10:30 p.m. Mr. Matuseski said he has not seen nor heard that any inspections have been conducted on the digging done so far. He said the permit was up as of October 31, and Mr. Enstrom was still digging today. Mr. Matuseski said it is difficult to enjoy the peace and quiet of the country. He would at least like to have quiet on weekends. He also noted that Mr. Enstrom does not have a pumping permit. The DNR said that if Mr. Enstrom pumps from pond to pond, he does not need a pumping permit. However, Mr. Matuseski stated that when Mr. Enstrom was first digging, he pumped into the drainage ditch and continued that for 2 years. He questioned why the City doesn't seem to be watching this project closer. Mark Dahlheimer, 8820 181 st Avenue N.W. stated his property is 2 properties to the west of Mr. Enstrom. He agreed with the concerns Mr. Matuseski voiced. Mr. Dahlheimer stated the pump runs 24 hours per day. He said he doesn't have much time off of work, and the little time he is home, he hears the pump running. He noted that a new muffler was put on recently, which helps the noise. Mr. Dahlheimer said he has been in contact with the DNR, and he said they are concerned about the Environmental Impact Study. He reported that the DNR is concerned that the watershed district should be brought in. He would like to see a master plan of what will be done in the future. He said he does have one drawing, and it does look nice. He questioned who will maintain the area and who would have permission to use the hiking trail. He asked where the trail would start and stop. Mr. Dahlheimer was told that Mr. Enstrom could dig 4 to 6 feet deep, and the DNR said he was below that limit. He Said the slopes are greater than what the permit allows. He wondered ifNSP has been notified of this project near their towers. Another concern he brought up was that Mr. Enstrom is supposed to seed and mulch and has not done that even in the completed areas. There are no saved trees, and Mr. Enstrom was supposed to save some. Mr. Dahlheimer stated he wanted to see the permit followed. John Enstrom, property owner, stated he has proven instances where he had the majority of the City and Met Council staff in Minneapolis view the project. He said that anyone that has seen it has commented on how excellent it is. He has a signed permit from the DNR from 4 years ago. He commented that this is not a wetland. He explained that all the soils he mines and any produce is kept as an organic farm. He stated that any trees that were taken out were undesirable. Smaller trees were used as firewood and larger trees have been used as hardwood for homeowners. He said he has sold mulch back to the City of Ramsey. He explained his topsoil is shipped over 18 states. He added that he has run ads in local papers to sell the topsoil and with it, the buyer would get one of the trees he removed for free. Many of these trees were Planning Commission/November 5, 2001 Page 5 of 20