Minutes - Council - 04/24/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Motion by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Strommen, to adopt Resolution #07-04-103 ratifying the Municipal Wetland Management Classification Map as recommended by the Environmental Policy Board and staff. Further discussion: Councilmember Look stated they are not advocating that they need to destroy the wetlands and build houses over them. There is currently an ordinance that has restrictions preventing building on a wetland or destroying a wetland. To his understanding if you are going to impact a wetland it needs to be replaced two to one. The question is do they move with this map and put further restrictions on ownership up to 30 feet, which means you cannot mow it or do anything to it; that is the crux of the issue. Acting Mayor Elvig indicated one of the aspects of the ordinance is that if you discover obnoxious vegetation you can periodically maintain the grasses in that wetland area to mitigate that. Councilmember Look stated the people of Ramsey need to understand there are restrictions now on wetlands. What is being discussed is further restrictions, and they are specifically talking about a map that mayor may not be correct. There is a timing issue and an issue with the boots on the ground. He will not support this map as it is laid out. Councilmember Dehen indicated his concern is regarding the ability to appeal, but he has been assured that the ordinance addresses the appeal process for the people that feel they have the wrong designation. Councilmember Look questioned if the appeal is the financial requirement of the person bringing the appeal forward. Environmental Coordinator Anderson replied if someone disputes a classification the onus would be on the property owner or developer to provide the information for review. Councilmember Look requested a hard money cost estimate for that type of information. Economic Development Coordinator Anderson replied the cost would likely be in the hundreds, rather than thousands of dollars. There is use of existing data and the individual would need to bring a wetland scientist or professional to conduct another analysis. Councilmember Strommen noted the analysis would be done in conjunction with the delineation that is being done so there would be someone on the property already which would reduce the cost. Acting Mayor Elvig commented the developer would go through a cost before considering the opportunity of looking at a piece of ground. That could be good or bad, but it will change how a developer looks at a piece of property. Councilmember Strommen stated it is the developer's choice. This should not be confused with any other requirement for subdivision. Councilmember Look stated his point is that the map does not have to be scrutinized as well if there is no financial responsibility to the City to be sure their assessment is correct. Councilmember Strommen stated the amount of scrutiny that has gone into this map has been over one year. Mr. Joe McDilda, Chair of the EPB, stated he would like to reiterate that this map is not something the EPB just started working on. This was done at a request and as a challenge by the citizens of Ramsey to see something on the books for this. That started in 2004, and this map is a culmination of all that work. There have been multiple public hearings, and hours upon hours spent by the EPB, Planning Commission and previous City Councils. The people that are coming before the Council are not bringing anything new. This same debate has been heard over and over again for the last three years. The process still continues to move forward and be open to all the people, but no one else comes forward. He questioned at what point these individuals are just arguing that there may be restrictions put on their property or if they are arguing the wetland ordinance. Mr. McDilda stated he trusts the work done by the consultant that the City paid for. He disagrees with Councilmember Look saying the City does not have any stake in this; they have put many tens of thousands of dollars into researching this issue and coming up with what he believes is the best thing for the residents City Council / April 24, 2007 Page 25 of 38