Agenda - Council - 02/22/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Musgrove stated that it is her understanding that the infiltration basin would provide the ability to cover any building or development within The COR area. She asked if that only applies to the infiltration area of The COR or the entire area. She asked if the stormwater basin on parcel 46 could be filled in if the infiltration basin was designed for the entire area of The COR or whether there would be benefit to leaving that stormwater basin to be used for future development on that parcel. City Engineer Westby replied that the infiltration basin covers the entire area of The COR,whether it is in the ten-year delineation zone or not. He stated that there is no infiltration occurring on parcel 46. He stated that there is a stormwater pond that was constructed as part of a different project when Armstrong Boulevard improvements were completed. He stated that the plan would be to relocate the wetland features in order to have the full site developable. Chairperson Riley asked if there is a reason for where the wetlands were created. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that a wetland needed to be relocated and this was the place chosen at that time. Councilmember Musgrove asked if the stormwater pond could remain on parcel 46 if all the lowland/wetland were filled. City Engineer Westby commented that it would depend upon the development proposal. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if the stormwater pond would continue to be required by the County for stormwater treatment. City Engineer Westby confirmed that treatment would continue to be required. Councilmember Musgrove asked if a wetland could be relocated beyond The COR area and suggested the old public works area. City Engineer Westby replied that the wetland could be relocated outside of The COR. He was unsure of the hydrology of the old public works site. He noted that a consultant would look at City owned properties to determine a good site for relocation. Councilmember Musgrove commented that it would seem the decision would be based on which option is more costly,relocation of the wetland or the purchase of wetland credits. She asked staff for input on what currently occurs when the City receives development interest in the parcel but then determines it is too costly because of the work that is needed, specifically whether they look at another parcel in Ramsey or move to another community. She stated that if developers were interest in other parcels, she would question how much the City should invest in the property at this time versus waiting until additional fill can be brought to the site through the development of other parcels. Economic Development Manager Sullivan replied that the development interest in the site has been in the upper two thirds of the site to develop townhomes similar to other areas of The COR. Public Works Committee/January 18, 2022 Page 8 of 15