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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 10-06-1989DL11 -0A "T 11 0Ayl,LT q:= CITY OF PUMOUTR CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 RECYCLING CASH DRAWING October 4/5: $400 Cash Winner Michael & Boyce Wade 4915 Oakview Lane UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS..... 1. BOARD OF ZONING -- Tuesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m. The Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals will meet in the City Council Chambers. Agenda attached. (M-1) 2. PLANNING COMMISSION -- Wednesday, October 11. Planning Commission Forum beginning at 7:00 p.m., with regular Commission meetinq following at 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers. Agenda attached. M-2) 3. PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION -- Thursday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. PRAC will meet in City Council Chambers. Agenda attached. (M-3) 4. FIRE STATION III - GRAND OPENING & DEDICATION -- Sunday, October 15, 11:00 - 3:30 p.m. Invitation and description of scheduled events attached.(M-4) 5. MEETING CALENDAR -- The meeting calendar for October is attached. M-5 FOR YOUR INFORMATION.... 1. NEW TAX BILL - I have just received the first computer run from House Research indicating the impact of the new legislation on municipalities. It will come as no surprise to the Council that we in Plymouth didn't do so well. The fact of the matter is that we have no, repeat no, local government aid. Our current LGA amounts to $838,786. Based upon the House Research projections, we would have expected a 2 percent LGA increase in 1990, raising the total LGA to $855,562. Thanks to tax relief, it's all gone. It will be used to assist in writing down school tax levies. Another printout suggests that three of the four school districts in Plymouth will "win" under this approach. The Hopkins District would lose 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559-280v CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 Page 2 slightly. In any event, it does not appear that there will be any substantial change in the bottom line for property taxpayers in Plymouth as a result of the tax bill. Not everyone will "lose" under the new law with respect to their LGA. Below is a list of cities indicating their state aids for 1990 based on the previous law, the final aid resulting from the new tax law, and the percent change in aid from 1989. PERCENT CHANGE PRELIMINARY IN AID CURRENT 1990 AID 1990 FROM CITY 1989 LGA (88 LAW) FINAL AID 1989 Minneapolis 75,068,187 81,817,114 69,884,247 -6.91 St. Paul 47,029,763 51,757,069 45,409,093 -3.45 Brooklyn Center 2,661,190 2,953,450 2,068,717 -22.26 Crystal 2,232,703 2,551,931 2,047,725 -8.28 New Hope 1,647,911 1,843,623 1,209,238 -26.62 Richfield 4,042,543 4,471,407 3,631,583 -10.17 Robbinsdale 1,735,962 1,993,188 1,697,211 -2.23 White Bear Lake 1,270,980 1,468,423 950,861 -25.19 Bloomington 2,967,617 3,026,969 0 -100.00 Edina 561,453 572,682 0 -100.00 Golden Valley 1,406,649 1,434,782 421,335 -70.05 Hopkins 1,454,515 1,641,226 1,064,504 -26.81 Maplewood 2,044,410 2,184,853 1,202,222 -41.19 Minnetonka 1,651,407 1,684,435 0 -100.00 Roseville 1,376,201 1,582,631 274,497 -80.05 St. Louis Park 3,574,492 4,110,666 2,477,207 -30.70 Brooklyn Park 3,019,554 3,472,487 1,989,140 -34.12 Burnsville 2,610,087 2,662,289 839,093 -67.85 Eagan 1,007,957 1,028,116 0 -100.00 Eden Prairie 331,167 337,790 0 -100.00 Inver Grove Heights 1,020,925 1,174,064 609,441 -40.30 Maple Grove 1,124,102 1,433,669 572,275 -49.09 Plymouth 838,786 855,562 0 -100.00 Woodbury 789,162 804,945 215,560 -72.68 METRO REGION TOTALS 203,329,807 224,792,760 167,289,249 -17.73 Duluth 14,769,019 16,017,569 15,116,089 2.35 Mankato 4,839,856 5,683,557 5,178,809 7.00 Moorhead 4,094,507 4,664,229 4,290,073 4.78 Rochester 7,232,702 8,060,306 6,391,324 -11.63 St. Cloud 6,652,566 7,352,160 6,344,205 -4.64 Cook 27,307 35,499 29,807 9.15 Ely 682,418 788,499 763,855 11.93 Hibbing 3,116,379 3,629,210 3,437,619 10.31 Virginia 2,057,746 2,431,371 2,326,668 13.07 OUTSTATE REGION TOTALS 173,045,994 17,237,426 183,301,824 6.12 STATE TOTALS 376,375,801 74,740,937 350,591,072 -6.76 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 Page 3 Under the "old" 1988 Tax Reform 51 percent of the LGA; the "new" further to outstate communities percent vs. 46 percent last year. Law, the metropolitan area received 1989 Tax Reform Law shifts the aids so they will receive about 52.4 The Commissioner of Revenue has yet to officially certify the City's levy limits for taxes payable in 1990. Based upon previous esti- mates which Dale prepared, it appears that our 1989 levied taxes, payable 1990, at levy limits, will be $8,743,261. This represents the elimination of all 1990 local government aids which were previously certified to us at $837,828 and the reduction of our levy limit base for growth by $368,137, or a "net" increase over that which I have previously projected for total general purposes of $469,691. 2. HOMEWARD BOUND -- Homeward Bound, a community based treatment facility for mentally retarded and/or developmentally disabled people, is holding a groundbreaking on Saturday, October 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. for a new six -person facility planned for construction at 13522 Sunset Trail. On the same day, a groundbreaking is also being held for another Homeward Bound facility in Maple Grove. Homeward Bound applied for a building permit this week; it has not yet been issued. Recognizing the typical response to such facilities we have encour- aged Homeward Bound representatives to contact the neighbors before the groundbreaking to explain their proposal, purpose, and respond to concerns. State statutes allow such facilities as single family dwellings in residential districts as long as the number of occupants is six or less. The City has no review authority except for the normal building permit process. This information is provided in the event Councilmembers receive phone calls on the subject. Callers may also be referred to Myra Wicklacz - 559-2800, Ext. 252. 3. AIRPLANE ENGINE TESTING AT ORS ENTERPRISES - 5475 NORTH COUNTY ROAD 18 -- In April of this year and again last month, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) received complaints from neighbors adjacent to QRS Enterprises with respect to airplane engine testing which is conducted approximately once a week. ORS Enterprises is in the business of overhauling and reconditioning World War II vintage airplane engines. As a final step in the overhaul, they run the engine for up to six hours, five minutes of which is at 100 percent power required for liftoff and climb. Plymouth Code does not address noise level standards so our purpose has been to assist the enforcement agency - MPCA in this matter. When Chuck Dillerud and Frank Boyles initially met with Becky Neidzielski of the Pollution Control Agency, and John Sandburg of QRS Engerprises, they agreed that the least expensive, most effective solution would be to schedule engine testing in a fashion CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 Page 4 which would be found least offensive to neighboring businesses. They also agreed to research whether the JRS Enterprise business constituted a nonconforming use. Attached is a letter to John Sandburg from Chuck Dillerud confirming that the use is nonconforming, but that a site survey is needed as a baseline indicating the amount of outdoor storage allowed. Mr. Sandburg has been reminded that his baseline survey is overdue! Earlier in September, the City was contacted again by the Pollution Control Agency about complaints, and a meeting was scheduled for September 28. At that time Mr. Sandburg agreed to provide the Pollution Control Agency with sketches of a possible "test cell" which could be erected on the property to direct the airplane engineer sound upward, rather than to adjacent properties. If a test cell could be designed which will bring the noise within the Pollution Control limits, then Mr. Sandburg will present a petition to the City for consideration by the Planning Commission and Council. In the alternative, he is investigating the possibility of moving his business to become part of the Buffalo Airport. We will keep the Council apprised of progress which is made in this regard. 4. SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD PROJECT - Attorney Grant Merritt, representing Plymouth People to Protect Our Wetlands, filed a notice with the Attorney General's office on October 3, seeking a Temporary Restraining Order suspending the permit for this project. Mr. Thomas Stenoien, President of Plymouth's Protectors of Wetlands, Inc., (P -POW), has filed an affidavit with the action, setting forth the basis for their request. While the City is not a direct party to this action, the City Attorney's office has been actively involved in preparing to intervene to protect the City's interests. Attached for your information are copies of Mr. Merritt's motion, as well as the pertinent documents which have been submitted on behalf of the City by Jim Thomson. This matter is being heard before Judge Allen Markert in the Ramsey County District Court. On Thursday afternoon, Jim Thomson advised me that Judge Markert is denying the temporary restraining order. (I-4) 5. MINUTES: a. Planning Commission, September 13, 1989 . (I -5a) b. Board of Zoning Adjustments & Appeals, September 12, 1989. (I -5b) c. Plymouth Safety Committee, September 27, 1989. (I -5c) d. Notes from County Road 6 Public Information Meeting, September 28, 1989. (I -5d) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 Page 5 e. Wayzata -Plymouth Area Chemical Health Commission, September 22, 1989. (I -5e) f. Plymouth Police Association, September 27, 1989. (I -5f) 6. MEDICINE LAKE TASK FORCE -- Attached is a report on the September 30 boat search conducted on Medicine Lake for Eurasion Water Milfoil. The search confirmed plant growth south of East Medicine Lake beach. As a result, the DNR will now conduct a further search of the lake so that an effective treatment program can be put in place for next spring. Eric indicates that costs for the treatment program will be shared 50 percent by the DNR, 25 percent by Hennepin Parks, and 25 percent by the City. (I-6) 7. ARMSTRONG HIGH SCHOOL - OFF CAMPUS COMPLAINTS -- A memorandum from Dick Carlquist on enforcement efforts being taken to control student trespassing and littering complaints in the neighborhood adjacent to Armstrong High School. (I-7) 8. METRO AREA WETLANDS FORUM -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are proposing the establishment of a Wetlands Forum for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. An informational/organization meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 9 at the Gray Freshwater Biological Institute Facility in Navarre. Attached is a copy of the invitation and additional information regarding the formation of the Wetlands Forum. (I-8) 9. HAZELDEN REPORT -- Councilmember Zitur requested the Council receive the attached article from the September 30 Star Tribune discussing the COUNTERACT and DARE drug prevention programs. I-9 10. AMM LEGISLATIVE POLICIES -- Attached are copies of the proposed 1990 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Legislative policies. A membership meeting to consider and adopt the policies will be held the evening of Thursday, November 2. The AMM will provide further details on the meeting at a later date. 11. BZ CORRESPONDENCE -- I have received the following correspondence on City departments or employees: a. Letter thanking Craig Bechtold, Public Works Maintenance worker, from City Manager, for reporting the fire at Councilmember Sisk's Burger King Restaurant. (I-lla) b. Letter from dames Anderson, President, Hennepin County Chief of Police Association, commending efforts of Dick Carlquist in the Association's development of a model policy for high speed vehicle pursuits. (I -lib) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM October 6, 1989 Page 6 c. Letter from Plymouth participants in the Hennepin County Weatherization Program commending the services of Milt Dale. (I-llc) d. Letter from E. R. Hokkansen, 12710 - 55th Avenue North, on the services provided by Roger Winberg, temporary Erosion Control intern in the Engineering Division. (I-lld) 12. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Letter to Judy LaTour from Eric Blank on her resignation from the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. (I -12a) b. Letter to Medicine Lake Mayor Eugene Hey, from City Engineer, providing a copy of the Preliminary Engineering Report for street and storm sewer improvements to 15th Avenue. (I -12b) c. Memo to Dick Plufka, Planning Commission Chair, from Eric Blank, on the Septemer 27 Joint Planning Commission/PRAC meeting. (I -12c) d. Letter from Don and Margie Vander Meeden, 2725 Everest Lane, to City Council, regarding the lack of 90 foot baseball fields in the City. (I -12d) e. Letter from Lizz Levang, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners Task Force on Housing, thanking the City for support of the Housing Awareness and Action Campaign. (I -12e) f. Letter from R. T. Kellington, Northern States Power Company, advising of plans to file a proposed rate increase with the Minnesota Public Utility Commission on November 2. (I -12f) g. Letter to Mayor and Council from Patricia Hoyt Neils offering to appear before the Council to provide further information on the District 281's excess levy referendum. (I -12g) h. Petition received from Woodlands neighborhood for the completion of trail/walking path on 45th and 46th Avenues. (I -12h) i. Letter from City Assessor responding to Gene Rezac, Graystar Corporation, regarding the South Shore Apartments valuation. (I -12i) J. Letter of appreciation from Susan Nelson, Executive Director, West Suburban Mediation Center, to Mayor and City Council, for 1990 funding support. (I -12j) k. Letter to Mayor Schneider, from Jan Hazel, North Hennepin Business and Professional Women, requesting the week of October 15 be designated as National Business Women's Week. (I -12k) AGENDA BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS Tuesday, October 10, 1989 7:00 P.M. WHERE: Plymouth City Center Council Chambers 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 12, 1989 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Aloysius Goblirsch. Variance to allow an 8 foot high fence versus the Ordinance Standard of 6 feet for property located at 5505 Vicksburg Lane (10-01-89). B. Richard and Molly Hatfield. Variance to allow a 2.5 foot and 5.9 foot side yard setback versus the 10 foot Ordinance Standard and a 28.3% lot coverage versus the Ordinance Standard of 20% in order to construct a new home at 2524 West Medicine Lake Drive (10-02-89). 5. OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT 8:30 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1989 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WHERE: Plymouth City Center 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. MINIF : 1 1;W 9111r," ITUIXIM CONSENT AG►D: 4.* APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7:15 P.M. 7:30 P.M. September 27, 1989 A. Prime Development Corp. Amendment to the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance Text, Section 10, Subdivision A pertaining to signage in the B-1 (Office Limited Business) District (89080) B. Charles Leininger. Conditional Use Permit for an amusement center in Video Wiz located at 4200 Lancaster Lane North (89083) A. Introduction of the 1990-1994 Capital Improvements Program. B. Offstreet Parking Study - Banks and Financial Institutions. C. Draft Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Regarding Community -Based Residential Care Facilities. Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission October 12, 1989, 7:30 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action 5. Unfinished Business a. Comprehensive Park & Trail Plan update - discussion b. West Medicine Lake Drive trail update c. Community center update d. e. 6. New Business a. New plats - Basscreek Business Park b. Medicine Lake - Eurasian Water Milfoil C. 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjournment Next Regular PRAC Meeting November 9, 1989 N� -3 CITY OF PLYMOUTH OPEN HOUSE 12 1 114 WN : M OMI 1_ 3300 Dunkirk Lane Sunday, October 15, 1989 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. SCHEDULE 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 230 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tours of New Station Welcome and Dedication - Mayor Virgil Schneider Tours of New Station PIeaSP. pll7 I.Gsfor_SIgriov fold/ 1/re. Ore. t z-w1iol7 inlo,rm,71ina, free ffallorc�ee��,nlrmnkins al�da chance forkid - f0 1/%sif rs-ifh Pli ie, fhe rof"ficfire ht-da0f. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/97 F,,.k - M q FYI. Ma df J 4o "h-►spople i /aj►'0. FOR MORE INFORMATION: 0(w Stan Scofield or Lee Vachuska 559-2800 GRAND OPENING, DEDICATION OF PLYMOUTH FIRE STATION III SET FOR OCTOBER Fire Prevention Week activities in Plymouth will have a special twist this year as they culminate with the grand opening of the City's newest fire station, Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Lane. All citizens are invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 15. The schedule for the grand opening is as follows: ° 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tours of New Station ° 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Welcome and Dedication of Station III ° 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tours of New Station 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 CITY OF PLYMOUTH+ FOR MORE INFORMATION: 0(w Stan Scofield or Lee Vachuska 559-2800 GRAND OPENING, DEDICATION OF PLYMOUTH FIRE STATION III SET FOR OCTOBER Fire Prevention Week activities in Plymouth will have a special twist this year as they culminate with the grand opening of the City's newest fire station, Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Lane. All citizens are invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 15. The schedule for the grand opening is as follows: ° 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tours of New Station ° 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Welcome and Dedication of Station III ° 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tours of New Station 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 A Grand opening activities are sure to interest people of all ages. Firefighters will give away free pumpkins to youngsters on a first come, first serve basis. City officials will be on hand for the station dedication. Firefighters will be outfitted in full gear and fire trucks will be available for inspection. Pluggie, the talking robotic fire hydrant, will visit with kids. Firefighters will demonstrate firefighting techniques. Attendees can inspect a special fire prevention vehicle which is equipped with various residential fire safety features such as an escape window, a residential sprinkler system and a smoke detector system. Fire Station III serves the southwest quadrant of Plymouth. The nearly 18,000 square foot station is divided into three zones for operating efficiency. The emergency response zone includes the communications room and the apparatus/equipment maintenance areas for servicing and storage of emergency vehicles. The training area provides meeting space for the Fire Department, as well as for local community groups. The administrative area will house offices, the lounge and conference and physical fitness rooms. -30- u. N = N m 0 N M n N N � Chi ~ m K O r 00 N M wm N W m 3 N rn n F .a- N N O N Z 2 d OD LO O N N F M n y N 0) 00 a) r Cc w En 0 F -- u O a N A t0 M O y N M N N M_L n N N � m W N W m 3 N rn W ~ N N 2 d OD LO " N 0 M 7 y N M_L rn 00 Q00 p \ F b Q 41 U 00 > a Q p LL M O C0 N N �a a O Z y O P: m Ur Q of Z C7 p a � ►-+ Z N ~u wX: F- W W d �C:lc d = U OC%4 O cz co m Ln N poa C LO U UO W QO Z r�zM zM W z z c Z z Z o O Q = p W C) w � o ~ N CIO C) M y U d f p d Q ID 3> C) C:) p O v OC)O 0 ^ ¢ n H O P4 C7 Cfl C7 C'3 M O �w0 N i m T- o- w� N CY) ca cn � H p H �tS H Q 0 OH z Cl) Z z E-4P4H LO U N CY) 00H w N N t7. f n -. June 15, 1989 Mr. John R. Sandberg JRS Enterprises, Inc. 5475 North County Road 18 Minneapolis, MN 55442 CITY OF PLYMOUTR SUBJECT: USE OF THE PREMISES AT 5475 NORTH COUNTY ROAD 18 - METAL MASTERS, INC. (88118) Dear Mr. Sandberg: This will confirm receipt of your communications dated April 4, 1989, and April 12, 1989, concerning -the subject. I have thoroughly researched the question of what Zoning Ordinance provisions would be applicable based on the assumption that outdoor storage of airplane parts and engines and the outdoor testing of airplane engines was ongoing at your facility as early as 1970. I have found that the Zoning Ordinance in effect in 1970 (Ordinance 68-8) did not specifically prohibit outdoor storage or testing in the I2 Zone in which you were located then. As such, and based on the affidavit you have submitted, I find that the outdoor storage of aircraft parts and engines and the outdoor testing of aircraft engines to be a legal, nonconforming use as of the date of adoption of the present Plymouth Zoning Ordinance. It is important for the City of Plymouth to establish the scale of the nonconformity represented by your storage and outdoor testing of aircraft motors. The Ordinance is quite specific that a nonconforming use may not be expanded. To enable the establishment of that scale, I would request that you prepare a survey of your site depicting the actual utilization of the site as of today. That survey should be prepared by and executed by a registered architect or engineer. With your new site survey in hand, a representative of the Community Development Department will inspect your site with you to more clearly identify the extent of the outdoor storage in 1989. While the 1968 Zoning Ordinance did not preclude the outdoor testing of aircraft engines or other outdoor testing activities, it did provide for performance standards to be met with those activities. If your outdoor testing activities are to be continued as a nonconforming use that was regulated by the 1968 Ordinance, then the performance standards of the 1968 Ordinance are equally applicable and must be maintained for the nonconforming use status to remain valid. 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 Mr. John R. Sandberg Page 2 June 15, 1989 I have enclosed a photocopy of the performance standards that address noise levels from the 1968 Zoning Ordinance. In your outdoor testing activities, you are to specifically maintain noise levels that are at or below standards noted. I have also supplied a copy of these standards to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as an indication of the local standards to which you are required to respond. Regardless of current or past Zoning Ordinances and your status on nonconforming use, it is in the best interest of all parties for the outdoor testing of your airplane engines to be as unobstrusive as possible. With that end, I would be interested in seeing plans that you may have for test cells such as were described in some earlier communications. If I may have in the past indicated that that type of resolution to your problem was not acceptable, it was based on my understanding that there was no nonconforming status available for you, and testing was simply in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. Now that it would appear that there is some nonconforming status, the test .cel.l.s. that. you have. in .mind. may prove. valuable to all parties. I also encourage your coordination with neighbors to find a time of day when the engine testing may be of less imposition - and then stick with that schedule. Upon receipt of the certified survey as to the extent of your existing outdoor storage and testing, I believe we will put this matter to rest for the present time. I will look forward to the receipt of that information within 30 days as of the date of this letter. Sincerely, r) Char es . P211erud Community Development Coordinator (pl/cd/88118:dl) GRANT MPRRITT & ASSOCIATES, LTD. AT MRNEYS AT LAW 4690 IDS CENTER MINNEAPOLIS, MNNESOTA 55402 (612) 338-8711 October 2, 1989 Donald A. Kannas, Esq. Suite 200 520 Lafayette Road St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 �_.j 7 0 2 ,ygq _:.<?.AL'S Offia 200 52: LAFA'fERE ROAD ?AU, MN 55155 Re: State of Minnesota by Plymouth People to Protect our Wetlands vs. Joseph N. Alexander, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources -ear Mr. Kannas: Please find enclosed Notice of Motion and Motion for Temcorar�z Restraining Order Suspending DNR Permit No. 89-6137 and for re7ia^: '_o DNR for appropriate administrative hearings. As noted, the hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. on October 5, =989 in Courtroom 1115. Also find enclosed Plaintiff's Proposed Crder, Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien and Memorandum in Support of the Motion. Sin rely, Grant J Merritt GJM:mm nclosures --F.IA STATE OF MINNESOTA OF RAMSEY CASE TYPE: OTHER CIVIL DISTRICT COURT SECOND JUDICIAL DIS -RIC"' State of Minnesota, by People to Protect our Wetlands Court File No.CX-89-8873 Plaintiff, NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SUSPENDING PERMIT AND REMAND vs. Jcsez:: N. Alexander, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Defendant. ------------------------------------------------------------------- TO: Donald A. Kannas, Esquire, Suite #200, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 :LEASE TAKE NOTICE that Plaintiff will bring the following on for hearing before a duly designated Judge of the Ramse•i District Court, at special term thereof, at 10:30 a.m. on Oct�r 5, 1989 in St. Paul, Mn. in Courtroom 1115 or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard. ',e Plaintiff moves for a temporary restraining order susp-.n%:ing Permit Number 89-6137 issued by Defendant allowing the City Plymouth to build a road extension across protected wetland numi;er 27-579W, and to remand the permit issuance back to the Defen--ant for appropriate administrative hearings. 1 This Motion is made upon all the files, records, attached A`fi,invit and Memorandum pursuant to Rule 2.05 of the Special Rules of P_actice of this Court and Rule 65 of the Minnesota Rules of Civi� Procedure. Service of this Notice of Motion and Motion on Defendant's at::cfney was made by placing a copy thereof, together with the attac`:ed affidavit, memorandum and Proposed Order, in the United Sta:_s Nail, postage prepaid, on October 2, 1989. Respectfully submitted, i b 000 Grant J. ritt Attorney for Plaintiff 4690 IDS Center Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 (612) 338-8711 Attorney License #7214?: 2 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF RAMSEY St-te of Minnesota, by Plymouth People to Protect our Wetlands Plaintiff, vs. Joseph N. Alexander, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Defendant. S"-:-= OF MINNESOTA) )ss. C:UIITY OF RAMSEY ) DISTRICT COURT L' SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT AFFIDAVIT OF THOMAS STENOIEN THOMAS STENOIEN, being first duly sworn, states as follows: 1. I am President and one of the co-founders of P1•.,=uth's Protectors of Wetlands, Inc. (P -POW), formerly the Ur:incorporated Association known as Plymouth People to Protect our Wrd— !ands, and reside at 10510 - 49th Avenue North in the City of P'•=,outh, Minnesota 55442. My home backs up to the wetland numbered 27-579W which our Association seeks to protect against ccnstruction of an extension of Schmidt Lake Road through this wE__-nd. 2. In addition I have been involved in the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) process having presented V4 ews of our Association to the City of Plymouth on June 22, I have also reviewed the reports of the consulting firm emc-c%ed by the City of Plymouth, Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc., w! -i--'- was hired to conduct traffic studies. The original Strgar st �. served as the basis for Plymouth's contention in the EA',' -7 tat Schmidt Lake Road was needed. However, this original Strgar study failed to demonstrate a current need for the road, even z LA though the study used growth projections that were unrealistically high and capacity estimates that were excessively low. To remedy this, the City commissioned a second Strgar study that purportedly demonstrated the current need that previously had been found lacking. It is the position of P -POW that this second Strgar study ignores several relevant facts. 3. The first fact which the City of Plymouth, and the Strgar 2 report, ignored is that County Road 10, (Bass Lake Road) is due for expansion in 1990 according to the Hennepin County Public Works Department. I was advised of this fact by Mr. Bruce Polactyk of that Department. Currently County Road 10, just north of the proposed extension to Schmidt Lake Road, is a two-lane road between County Road 169 (formerly County Road 18) and Interstate 494. By expanding County Road 10, much of the east/west traffic would be handled by a road that is currently only a two-lane road. The Strgar 2 report asserts that even with an expanded County Road 10, the traffic corridor served by County Roads 9 and 10 would be over capacity. This contradicts the original Strgar study which indicated that current traffic levels in 1986 were about 29,600 ve.icles per day (14,200 vehicles on County Rcad 10 and 15,400 ve^icles per day on County Road 9). Yet, Strgar 2 also asserts tI.t the capacity of each road is between 25,000 and 30,000 vehicles per day, for a combined capacity of 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day. Thus, using the figures presented by the Strgar reports, it is obvious that County Roads 9 and 10 are under capacity by some 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day. Based on t': --se figures there is no need for any proposed extension of Scnmidt Lake Road until the year 2010 at the earliest. 4. The other fact conveniently ignored by the City of 2 -T --LA Plymouth is the City's own plan to expand Zachary Lane so as to act as a north/south feeder to County Roads 9 and 10. With Zachary Lane expanded to four lanes from its current two, the need for another east/west road to serve this corridor is obviously diminished. Zachary Lane will be able to deliver efficiently greater volumes of vehicles to the two county roads 9 and 10. This will relieve some of the congestion on neighborhood streets, most notedly 48th Avenue North. 5. Furthermore, Strgar 2 did not evaluate feasible and practical alternatives to the build scenario. The study detailed the queuing at County 9 and Saratoga Lane without mentioning that the intersection lacks a left turn only signal, which would alleviate much of that problem. Strgar 2 mentioned the traffic pr3blems along 48th Avenue North without exploring alternatives suzh as traffic signs on this street that would reduce the at-ractiveness of the street as a thoroughfare. Nor did it cc:77.ent on the possibility that 45th Avenue North, a four -lane rc:A:d also aligned to carry east/west traffic, could more adequately handle the traffic than 48th Avenue North does currently. 6. The net result is that neither study done by the Strgar consulting firm demonstrates a current need for the pr:csed extension of Schmidt Lake Road through this previously pr�,tected wetland. And, if the facts that (1) County Road 10 is pl nned for expansion, (2) Zachary Lane is planned for expansion, alternatives such as traffic signals and expanded use of e:.:_ -=ting streets are considered, then the City did not present e_�Sible alternatives to the build decision. Moreover, the DNR dii not insist on a more thorough evaluation of alternatives prier 3 71' LA tc .granting the Permit No. 89-6137 for the proposed extension of c:.midt Lake Road. 7. DNR should have realized that the capacity figures County Roads 9 and 10 were purposely low (25,000 to 30,000 •:e' -.:cies per day). Mr. Christianson of the Minnesota Department Transportation, in correspondence attached hereto as Appendix estimated that the capacity of a four -land road should be z:_ -ser to 50,000 vehicles per day. The use of these lower cavacity estimates, accepted by DNR at face value, obviously made need for the road correspondingly higher. Where Schmidt Lake Road is proposed to be built, the between County Roads 9 and 10 is slightly greater than a Thus, if the proposed extension were carried out, there ::c_�_d three four -lane roads within about a mile carrying vehicles _.. :.he same direction. 8. As a result of the failure by DNR to adequately _=•iew the facts presented by the City of Plymouth prior to _Z�"IinQ Permit No. 89-6137, it is essential that the defendant be d;=ected to rescind said permit and that this case be remitted to DNR for appropriate administrative hearings in accordance with "Minnesota Environmental Rights Further your affiant saitr s 5tenoien Qubscribed and sworn to before r ' ...� _his day of �'/��� , 1989. Notary Public MMIIYN L MERRITT NOTARY pUBLc_m1NNE90TA Zp MENNEFP1M COUNTY Mr commaw Ewes Aug ?0.1"1 4 APPENDIX 1 -I_ L Minnesota Department of Transportation District 5 2055 No. Lilac Drive Golden Valley, Minnesota 55422 (612, .,5, 8404 June 28, 1988 Tom Stenoien 10510 49th Avenue North Plymouth, Minnesota 55442 Dear Mr. Stenoien: As you requested several days ago, I am furnishing to you information as to what I feel is the traffic capacity for a four -lane divided roadway. On June 28th, I furnished you that information by telephone along with a number of cautions as to the actual application of the information. This letter is a follow-up to the information I gave you by phone and to clarify some of the points that I discussed. The actual capacity of any roadway facility is difficult to identify without specific information regarding each particular intersection along that segment of road. It is the number of intersections along a segment of roadway and the design of each of them which, govern the capacity of a road. Following is a list of variables which must be identified and analyized prior to identifying the capacity or level of service for a particular segment of road. Available literature has general boundaries with which to assume a "rough" capacity of a given segment of road given some general design configurations, but without the following information, a specific capacity analysis cannot be conducted for a given road, road segment or intersection. The information necessary to complete the analysis is as follows: 1) Predict the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for the roadway for some future year (usually 20 years in the future). 2) Identification of directional distribution of trips (i.e. are the majority of trips inbound in the morning and outbound in the p.m. This is usually expressed as percentage of total ADT and can range from a 50/50 percent to a 80/20 percent split). An Equal Opportunity Employer Tom Stenoien Page 2 June 29, 1988 3) The number of trips in the peak hour, identified as a percent of the ADT. (This value can range from 7 to 18 percent). 4) The number through traffic lanes approaching the intersection from all directions. 5) The number of left turn lanes on all approach roadways. 6) The number of right turn lanes on all approach roadways. 7) Is the right turn lane designed as a free right (channelized island at intersection)? Rather than attempt to develop a theoretical capacity of an intersection, I have reviewed the current daily traffic counts at three intersections in Hennepin County, on Trunk Highway 252 at Brookdale Drive, 85th Avenue North, and 93rd Avenue North. Based on our experience, we feel these intersections are running near or probably over capacity. Ideally, we would like to see the traffic volumes at these intersections significantly lower than what we are experiencing, as these volumes are causing delays to the motoring public during the peak hours. The total daily traffic counts at these intersections range from 53,000 to 55,000 vehicles per day (Please note upper limit changes, as we found an error in our traffic count). These values were the summation of all the traffic approaching the intersections. (See attachment "A"). Again I must caution you against using these figures as absolute criteria for any analysis. As I mentioned earlier in this letter, the actual capacity of an intersection and associated roadways are dependent upon a number of variables, most of which were listed above. I hope I have been able to answered your questions to your satisfaction. S�ncer y, I I , Mike M. Christensen Assistant District Engineer MMC: mjj M N A, TT- ALti M ENT •A.. 4� - „A -D,-, t- 1 Gv \CS G►`7e N jk p F ;2D A. C K I tJ G N\ A LL T> z e CT 0 NS CLe�-t"� Ri,-,k,t Tibv-%AS fLOS -t-hYov�jl,� T►ZAFFIC� M A LL- 3 C dt S E S 5 1 r E D I '1-t�. e T'O t o L- A\ D T -4010ov cl�`1 S7AT7 OF MINNESOTA OF RAMSEY . to of Minnesota, by People to Protect our Wetlands Plaintiff, vs. Joseph N. Alexander, Commissioner, .1-nnesota Department of Natural Resources 1 •I -A DISTRICT COURT SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No.CX-89-88 3 MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF MOTIONS Defendant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ?laintiff, a Plymouth, Minnesota based citizens' group, now incorporated as Plymouth's Protectors of Wetlands, Inc. (P-POI^7) hroaghr the present action to prevent environmental damage to _=___ted wetland number 27-579W. The City of Plymouth the _....�r of the Schmidt Lake Road Extension Project, wh_c-. bise`t the wetland with a road. See attached maps, Exhibits A,B, a:.d C from Strgar 2. Pursuant to the Minnesota Environmental Fight- Act, Minn. Stat.§116B.10, plaintiff brings the present aeric-, the defendant as issuer of protected waters permit r umber __ In conformance with the Act, plaintiff moves the = _ t _.. _. `at a prima facie showing of inadequacy has been �... ._nsequently remit the parties to appropriate adminiZ:__=,._,_ Plaintiff further moves the court to grant ins-:ct- e so as to prevent destruction of the contested wetlan In .r.. 1 • • • • 11 • • - • OTerjel • • 11 • The Minnesota Environmental Rights Act permits any citizen or organization to "maintain a civil action in the district court for decl-mratory or equitable relief against the state or any agency ... where the nature of the action is to challenge an environmental ... permit promulgated or issued by the state or any agency..." Minn.Stat 116B.10 Subd.l (1988). The Act places upon the plaintiff the burden of "proving the existence of material evidence shcwing inadequacy of said... permit." 116B.10 Subd.2. The district court does not initially determine whether this burden has been met, but, "upon a prima facie showing by the plaintiff of those matters specified in subdivision 2, shall remit the parties to the state agency...(for] appropriate administrative proceedings..." 116B.10 Subd.3. Plaintiff's burden to support the present motion therefore merely requires a prima facie showing of the existence of material evidence of inadequacy. The Rules governing the alteration of protected waters mandate strict preference for the no -build option. No permit will be issued unless: 2 LA (1) there is no other feasible and practical alternative to the project; and (2) the public need for the project rules out the no - build alternative. Minn.Rules, 6115.0190 Subp.3, item F (1989) (emphasis added). Protected waters permit number 89-579W is inadequate because it fails to meet either one of these requirements, and certainly does not meet them both. = . •--. WCe7W a •-m oil We-IffaROWM- •. - -vr-IW@T*32 A protected waters permit is inadequate unless a there is a very strong public need to alter the resource. As required by Minn.Rules, 6115.0190 subp 3, item F(2) (1989), the public need must be so compelling that it "rules out" the preservation of the wetland and the underlying environmental policies that led to designation as a protected resource. These environmental policies have established a strong presumption in favor of natural resource protection. The Minnesota Environmental Policy Act states, "the legislature authorizes and directs that, to the fullest extent practicable the policies, rules, and public laws of the state shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies set forth [in this Act]." The Act requires state agencies to use "all practicable means and measures" to foster a harmonious relationship between man and the natural environment and to: (a) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as a trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; 3 (b) assure for all people of the state safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (c) discourage ecologically unsound aspects of population, economic and technological growth... etc... Minn.Stat 116D.02 (1988) In short, the state agencies are required to take an active role in environmental protection and the courts are likewise required to interpret statutes and rules with his in mind when an environmental resource is threatened. Public need for this road has not been established. The City of Plymouth's own consultant in its 1987 Traffic Needs Analysis for Schmidt Lake Road stated as follows on page 4: "The results of this analysis clearly indicate Schmidt Lake Road will be needed by year 2010..." See Exhibit D attached hereto. Furthermore, as shown in Mr. Stenoien's atfidavit, the traffic studies do not demonstrate a current need for this road through the wet land. Selection of the no -build alternative is critical to the ecological maintenance of the wetland. According to an interoffice memorandum on the project by defendants area wildlife manager, the wetland is of "vital importance to wildlife", providing "important feeding and nesting habitat for a variety of wildlife including mallards, pheasants, mink, and numerous nongame wetland wildlife species." See Exhibit E. The memorandum goes on to cite the importance of the wetland to the areas hydrolcgy (including flood 4 control and water quality) and the impact of the proposed project on adjacent wetlands. The memorandum concludes: "Because of the cumulative adverse impacts on wetlands and wildlife, I believe it is in the public's best interest to conserve and protect our state's remaining wetland resource. For these reasons, I recommend that the Division of Water's permit for this project be denied." P. 2. Recognition of the value of wetlands has grown dramatically in recent years. So has the realization of the magnitude of the loss. About 72% (nine million acres) of Minnesota's original wetland has been lost. Minnesota Environmental Ouality: Trends in Resource Conn:tions and Current Issues. Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. The Environmental Rights Act is an important tool to stem this loss. Under section three and four of the Act, a planned road through a marsh constituted a prima facie showing of material adverse impact on the environment. County of Freeborn v. Bryson , (Bryson I) 297 Minn. 218, 210 N.W. 2d 290 (Minn. 1973). This view was reaffirmed when the Minnesota Supreme Court reviewed the rnryson case County of Freeborn v. Bryson (Bryson II), 309 Minn. 178, 243 N.W. 2d 316 (Minn. 1976). The Minnesota Supreme Court recently expanded on the policies underlying wetland preservation: "We reaffirm our statement (in Bryson II] that the state's environmental legislation had given (Aldo Leopold's] land ethic the force of law, and imposed on the courts a duty to support the legislative goal of protecting our state's environmental resources. Vanishing wetlands require, even more today than in 1976 when Bryson was decided, the protection and preservation that environmental legislation 9 y was intended to provide. Application of Christenson. 417 N.W. 2d 607 (Minn. 1987). Alternatives to the project should not be limited to specific routes through the wetland, but should include alternative traffic management and route options. The Minnesota Supreme Court in Bryson II stated: "the question of whether to build a highway or not, of course, is a matter largely within the county's perogative, but the location of that highway is now subject to the Environmental Rights Act." 243 N.W.2d 316 (Minn.1976). This language should not be interpreted to mean that the City of Plymouth is entitled to nullify the protective status of the wetland by deciding that a road will go through it, and only the specific route may be contested. The Rules expressly incorporate a no -build alternative. Minn.Rules, 6115.0190 Subp.3, item F (1989). Feasible and practical aiternatives therefore include a wide variety of options, such as the development of mass transit and future construction and expansion of existing alternate routes. The Strgar 2 study commissioned by the City of Plymouth failed to consider any alternatives to the destruction of Wetland 579W. These include: - Planned expansion of Highway 10 _. a - Zachary Lane, which is scheduled for expansion in 1991 and would relieve congestion on both County Road 10 and 48th Avenue by providing improved access to County Road 9. - Improved traffic control on County Road 9, including a left hand turn arrow, would eliminate much of the queuing on Nathan Lane. - Additional stop signs on 48th Avenue would make this a considerably less attractive thoroughfare street. The City's response to perceived traffic needs is familiar: build new roads, encourage continued reliance on the automobile, and further degrade the natural resource base of the community. As the United States Supreme Court stated, "it is obvious that in most cases considerations of cost, directness of route, and community disruption will indicate that parkland should be used for highway construction whenever possible ... but the very existence of (environmental statutes] indicates that protection of parkland was to be given paramount importance." Citizens to Preserve Overton Park. Inc. v. Volpe, 401 U.S. 402, 411 (1971). In tr.e present case, the wetlands were not given paramount importance. Instead, the City justifies the position that no feasible and practical alternative to the project exists by simply concluding that there will be increased traffic. It then targets a protected wetland as the most politically feasible route for relieving traffic. This is precisely the path of least resistance approach recognized in Overton Park and the type of activity that the Rules and the Environmental Rights Act were meant to discourage. 7 2- LA B. CONCLUSION Based on the foregoing, we submit a prima facie showing has been made that the DNR permit number 89-6137 is inadequate; that pursuant to section 10 of Minn. Stat. 116B, this matter should be remanded to the DNR for appropriate administrative hearings; and t' -az in the meantime said permit is suspended and no construction a;l:,wed thereunder. GRANT MERRITT & ASSOCIATES, LTD. X:�by Grant J. .erritt 4690 IDS Center Minneapolis, Minnesota 55102 (612) 338-8711 Attorney for Plymouth's Protectors o` Wetlands 8 r„ EXHIBIT A rf t;�•_ 1„ • LV II ���•.ao Laa. I 11 5•..� GvE II . ,•• �s.iS SII u / i •� • - IY' Ii,i �i'_ 11 117 � �� � ► � 1 �' I � T '. r: a GSt• a - La• o J �� yi ;I�,I ' II os •• rn 0�-�J.r- a �b i '71a�M •rC.k \ �' All, OII .Y. "^!��[.fE % pC.` I. 111 t^ir:-�7i} •q)� � WE - rs' � a• u�C.� I � CF 1,•n AVE..• I f =��I � � ...• it :,I. n �/I f "+ la, �•, e• Qi�.� II qrn\= .vE� '�`'♦ J� �` II_C'."`�Qn .��,sy���\ I �Iz 1 C II,•.n GY• GVt. {T cn��i' 'ice •� Jia \ �^ ^ i a` f. ! ^ •. •n `� t) �`IvEy`�—J / I�•,� I z I _ s z �1C r�f••Uo iI I _ I lSm/d[ / 1 .. ',� - A .tnr •' ! •- II� ' ^� .r:•f I O., .�1. -� M I V ���`I •V Q I •t" •t[. w.. / N�� • -� is �1,„T_'�.. 'L I,..,1 ..: �iV`� � �►.. �`c' •• V I I (4 as, T 111 =47Y n GvE. R •1 �. ala . \�'�, i1�'. 11� s�_y`� r---- ���� // \1 �, 1�• ill •:�- s.\ •,, .. _•• ��� �/:. �1Yr. 1 \`� .�.:♦ ALM''\/mss\ �, li: '\1% 18— GvE. 1 ��Ic 9� �� � L•• •,fir ♦. �l� � �.� ��_ �'. � ' ~•'Y+�—��: � iYi51r�1 �y�:/�• I!. •- �'_� �\ bra o-�.�� i'�J'��%) ... .” v • • rel!" \ � z•: ::. _�`il J. '`-�1 I•�• �l'.• =�1� I� �'� n= .:GVH_ PARR �jl •• �,1_=,J _ \ \t •�- GvE. 464, STRGAR ROSCOETALISCH• INC. CITY OF PLYMOUTH FIGURE L'uViGLTING ENGINEERS t� °••i1•I•••^ T��IY PROJECT LOCATION ^..•••^T t QYF Mn NFF@S TRAFFIC ST"ny EXHIBIT C Z; ,��� o t 000 585W ��� . 060 579W 584W Zirt tj tar �1 ar s s STRGAR ROSCOE•F•AUSCH. INC. CITY OF PLYMOUTH EXHIBIT 2 SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD DNR WETLAND MAP S -c :SO 0-c Carlson Parkway North EXHIBIT D File No. 0870865 June 26, 1987 mr. Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works CITY OF PLYMOUTH 2400 Plymouth Boulevard rlymouth, Minnesota 55447 Dear Mr. Moore: PE: TRAFFIC NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD : .s part of our overall traffic, feasibility and environment studies for the proposed Schmidt Lake Road from Nathan Lane to :achary Lane, we have prepared a Traffic Needs Analysis a3dressing the proposed alignment of Schmidt Lake Road, t from C.S.A.H. 18 to Vicksburg Lane, particularly in the segmen including the consideration for a future interchange with Interstate 494. The purpose of this memorandum is to document he the methodology used in this an forl�Schmidt Lake Roadsis and to aslwell ze tas conclusions relative to the interchange with I-494. STUDY AREA In order to completely analyze the impact of proposed Schmidt Lake Road, a study area was developed that included the area bounded by C.S.A.H. 18 on the east, Vicksburg Lane on the west, C.S.A.H. 10 on the north and C.S.A.H. 9 on the south (see Figure 1). The study area included consideration of the adequacy of the interchanges on I-94 at C.S.A.H. 10 and C.S.A.H. 9. The purpose of the study area was to focus analysis of travel in the east -west and north-south s Road, cCrS1AOHs 9ridr,aswell include as C S A H. 18, proposed Schmidt I-494 and Vicksburg Lane. =- LA Mr. Fred G. Moore, P.E. - 2 - June 26, 1987 TRAFFIC ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY The basic analysis methodology was to look at historical corridor growth rates and the growth in development in the study area. A regression analysis of historic traffic counts in the study area (from 1977 to 1986) indicates that traffic has grown at a rate of between 2.4% and 7.8% depending on the facility. Overall, the east -west corridor has been growing at a rate of 3.5% per year. This rate is typical of areas which are experiencing moderate to high levels of development. The entire metropolitan area has had a 2.9% annual growth rate during the period 1971-1986. The main east -west routes in the study area are C.S.A.H. 9, C.S.A.H. 10, C.S.A.H. 47, and the proposed Schmidt Lake Road. Four screenlines (shown on Figure 2), which are lines drawn for analysis purposes across several roadways that form a corridor, were identified west of C.S.A.H. 18, midway between C.S.A.H. 18 and I-494; east of I-494, and west of I-494. It screenline midway between C.S.A.H. 18 and I-494 was used for baseline forecast purposes. The current volume at this screenline is 29,600 vehicle trips per day (see Figure 2). The 1eveI of current travel desire across this screenline is constrained because both C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 are two-lane roadways of limited capacity. Both routes are scheduled to be upgraded to four -lane roadways in the near future. Assuming a 3.5, annual growth rate, the future (year 2010) daily corridor volume is projected to be 67,600. In addition, Highway 55 is expected to reach capacity during this forecast period. 3,000 trips are forecast to divert to C.S.A.H. 9 as Highway 55 reaches capacity. Thus, this screenline volume would be 70,000 vehicles per day in 2010. Figure 3 shows the year 2010 screenline volumes assuming no additional roadways. The forecast volumes were' then compared to corridor capacity. The daily capacity of a four lane roadway is 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day. Thus, the combined capacity of C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 (when improved to four lanes each) will be 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day. Given the anticipated demand of 70,000 trips per day, both of these roadways would be over capacity by the year 2010 (see Figure 3). i t Mr. Fred G. Moore, P.E. CONCLUSZONS - 3 - T -`A June 26, 1987 In order for the corridor to have an adequate level of service, additional capacity must be added. To the north, I-694 already has capacity problems which limits diversion of traffic to this area. As previously mentioned, Highway 55 is expected to reach capacity during the forecast period and therefore is not available for traffic diversion. Medicine Lake prevents the addition of through roadways in the area between Highway 55 and C.S.A.H. 9. The addition of the proposed Schmidt Lake Road would meet the expected increase in corridor traffic because of its well spaced location between C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10. In addition, the grade separation at 49th Avenue North and C.S.A.H. 18 provides an appropriate interchange point for the east end of the corridor. Based on this analysis, a four lane roadway is justified in the Schr.,iut Lake Road corridor to meet the demand of approximately 20,000 vehicles per day and maintain an adequate level of service on tr,e study area road system. (Total demand is 70,000 vehicles per day and capacity on C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 for planning purpcses is 50,000 vehicles per day.) According to current traffic counts, approximately 50% of the traffic in the corridor leaves C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 at I-494. Currently, this high level of turning volumes is being handled by the diamond interchanges at C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10. These I-494 intersections are some of the most congested in the corridor and, therefore, critical to I-494 operation. Other signalized intersections in the corridor operate at a higher level of service because they have lower cross street traffic. If Schmidt Lake Road wore constructed with only a grade separation at I-494, Schmidt Lake Road would only carry an ADT of 10,000 vehicles (a 50% reduction with respect to the amount of traffic desiring to use it) while the traffic on both C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 would increase to 30,000 vehicles per day (see Figure 4). These traffic levels would cause the intersections at the I-494 interchanges of C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 to be over capacity during peak hours. Mr. Fred G. Moore, P.E. - 4 - June 26, 1987 j With the addition of Schmidt Lake Road from-C.S.A.H. 18 to Vicksburg Lane, including ramps at I-494, C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 would each have an ADT of 25,000 vehicles per day and Schmidt Lake Road would have an ADT of 20,000 vehicles per day (see Figure 5). Under these conditions, all intersections at the I-494 interchanges would operate at adequate level of service (C or better) during the peak hours of traffic. The results of this analysis clearly indicate Schmidt Lake Road will be needed by year 2010 to provide an appropriate facility to maintain an acceptable level of service on C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10. Without Schmidt Lake Road, C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 will be overloaded based on the assumptions in this traffic analysis. If development occurs at a more rapid rate, or if individual intersections on C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 grow more rapidly in terms of their travel demand, the volumes on Schmidt Lake Road could increase. It is clear from this analysis that without Schmidt Lake Road the travel time delays and level of services at major intersections on C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 Will be unacceptable from a transportation planning perspective. Without the construction of this road there are significant user costs in terms of circuity of travel, travel time, air quality impacts and additional gasoline consumption. Detailed estimates of highway user costs due to circuity of travel and additional travel time and delay were completed using procedures and data contained in" Procedure for Estimating Highway User Costs, Fuel Consumption,and Air Pollution'1980 - U.S. DOT/FHWA - Office of Traffic Operations. The detailed analysis has been included as an attachment to this letter. The findings and conclusions of this analysis are summarized as follows: • Not building Schmidt Road vs. building Schmidt Lake Road without the interchange' at I-494 results in $1,283,921 in additional annual highway user costs. Assuming an annual worth of present cost for the construction of Schmidt Lake Road without interchange of $452,214, the cost -benefit ratio of the construction of Schmidt Lake Road without a new interchange would be 2.8. • Not building Schmidt Lake Road vs. building Schmidt Lake Road with a new interchange at I-494 would result in $3,112,999 in additional annual highway user costs. Assuming an annual worth of present cost for the construction of Schmidt Lake Road with a new I-494 interchange of $961,464, the cost - benefit ratio would be 3.2. Mr. Fred G. Moore, P.E. - 5 - June 26, 1987 Based on this analysis it is concluded that the construction of Schmidt Lake Road with a new I-494 interchange is justified. Detailed afternoon peak hour intersection capacity/operations analyses were completed for the intersections of the existing I-494 interchange ramps to C.S.A.H. 9 and C.S.A.H. 10 plus the future intersections of the I-494 interchange ramps to Schmidt Lake Road for the "No Build" and "Build" alternatives.. The findings of these analyses are summarized in the attached Table 1. Also attached are copies of the detailed computer analyses for each of the intersections. Further analysis is needed to identify key intersections along propcsed Schmidt Lake Road. Signal warrants and geometric requirements should be addressed for these intersections. Detailed forecasted traffic volumes could then be generated to address detailed design questions. Please let us know if in.crmation. Very truly yours, STRG'.P-ROSCOE-FAUSCH, INC. Pete: A. Fausch, P.E. Vice President PAF/jal Attachments we can furnish you with additional W ., -SATE OF 4'iNE"Sji: - it EXHIBIT E -1- L TC JG.nCv �cc--.: & Ar ua ^var•D:ogit;;, kf-iunneDin County' _C .. tV CT' ?'ymoUtC nm ".a: -J KL Kicac C L'C Aoc • .cc=nor. ;S 2'' -579r;; "n -s :'•L': zas :o o:ec :eo ;tide• ,L..n• : A:Do . . c'jt . cr. cc reC.:es: `narr :nc' '•:,tV o? P1ymoUtn. Crated Soo-ze:^UC'• -,. S, . -�O C: 0 n r,_.. Son!n-.at _a KU ;:Ue» : ^ouy^ 'INR Rr0teC:Cc: OvutIOnc 9 27--575:-t. r i e c i ns cec tec t ^; c or•ooesec we i ar.c aeve: ': 0O!n6'•--_ : e:c :nvo•:vi^C crc:ec:e:, wet i arm_ 27-579:-J i1na tour -,a 4 t o cr emergent wet idnc wnicn orov'iae v -lrroo.-•tar-t feedinc 0,1C -.0', var-c.y w- o'i'i-e inc;ue'inq :rla'i'iaru!; ailtedF;a^ts. T'lnK. 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Dcuq . 0J1) 3� , • 'i Roser, JOn!1�Ur: 0 STATIE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF RAMSEY _:L-4 4 CASE TYPE: OTHER CIVIL DISTRICT COURT SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT S �? of Minnesota, by _=-th People to Protect our Wetlands Court File No. CX -89-8873 Plaintiff, vs. PROPOSED ORDER Joseph N. Alexander, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Defendant. The above matter came on for hearing before the undersigned on Th,_:rsdav, October 5, 1989, pursuant to the Plaintiff's motion for te:rporary restraining order suspending the permit and for remand to the Department of Natural Resources. The Plaint «= was =�sented by Grant J. Merritt and the Defendant by _Special ..: ;_stunt Attorney General Donald A. Kannas. used upon the arguments of counsel, the Affida•✓i_ and _7:.randum of the Plaintiff, and all the files and proceeding=; herein, it is hereby ordered as follows: 1. That Permit No. 89-6137 issued by Defendant allowing the City of Plymouth to build a road extension across proteczed wc,tland No. 27-579W, is hereby suspended and the matter 1 the issuance of said permit is remanded back to the Defendant for appropriate administrative hearings. IT IS SO ORDERED. Allan R. Markert Judge of the District Court STATE OF MINNESOTA CASE TYPE: OTHER CIVIL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF RAMSEY SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - State of Minnesota, by Plymouth People to Protect our Wetlands, Plaintiff, v. Joseph N. Alexander, AFFIDAVIT OF DENNIS EYLER Commissioner, Minnesota ) File No. CX -89-8873 Department of Natural ) Resources, ) Defendant. ) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STATE OF MINNESOTA ) SS. COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) DENNIS EYLER, being first duly sworn, states and deposes as follows: 1. I am a registered professional engineer, licensed by the State of Minnesota. I am employed by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc. (SRF). I am trained as a traffic engineering expert. 2. The City of Plymouth retained SRF in 1987 and 1988 to conduct traffic studies relative to the need for Schmidt Lake Road. I participated in the preparation of both traffic studies and am familiar with the data upon which the conclusions in the studies were based. 3. I have read the affidavit of Thomas Stenoien and the Plaintiff's Memorandum of Law in Support of Motions. 4. In Mr. Stenoien's affidavit and in its memorandum, the Plaintiff asserts that there is no public need for Schmidt Lake Road. The grounds for the Plaintiff's assertion are listed and discussed below: a. Plaintiff asserts that the 1987 SRF traffic study indicated that Schmidt Lake Road would not be needed until the year 2010. See Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 1f 2; Memorandum of Law, p. 4. Plaintiff, however, has mischaracterized both the nature of the 1987 traffic study and its conclusions. SRF conducted the 1987 traffic study to determine whether there was a need for Schmidt Lake Road. SRF prepared its needs analysis using the year 2010 as a target date. It is standard practice in the traffic engi- neering industry to use a 20 -year time period when making traffic projections. See Mike Christensen letter, p. 1 (Exhibit 1 to Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien). The 1987 study was not designed to determine when Schmidt Lake Road would be needed, but whether it would be needed by the year 2010. The Plaintiff's quote from the 1987 traffic study, at page 4 of the Plaintiff's Memorandum of Law in Support of Motions, is therefore misleading. By concluding that Schmidt Lake Road would be needed by 2010, the 1987 traffic study was not stating that Schmidt Lake Road would not be needed until 2010. The purpose of the 1988 traffic study was to deter- mine when Schmidt Lake Road would be needed, and that study demonstrated that there is an immediate need for Schmidt Lake Road. 2 b. Plaintiff asserts that the determination of public need is based upon "unrealistically high" growth projections used in the SRF traffic studies. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 11 2. In its studies, SRF used an annual growth projection figure of 3.5%. That figure is fairly standard for communities in the metropolitan area and is conservative when compared to the actual growth in the specific area of the proposed road. The average annual growth figure for the combined County Road 9 and County Road 10 traffic corridor is 9.1%, based upon actual growth from 1977 to 1988. C. Plaintiff also asserts that SRF used "excessively low" capacity estimates for County Roads 9 and 10, which led to a false indication of public need. It challenges SRF's capacity estimates by reference to a letter from Mike Christensen of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 11 7, Exh. 1. SRF used capaci- ty estimates of 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day for County Roads 9 and 10. Nothing in Mr. Christensen's letter contra- dicts that determination of capacity for those roads. Mr. Christensen did refer to Highway 252 in his letter and indicated that, at 53,000 vehicles per day, that road is at or over its capacity. From that statement, Plaintiff concludes that all four lane roads should carry a capacity of 50,000 vehicles per day. As Mr. Christensen repeatedly notes in his letter, determining the actual capacity of a roadway requires specific information regarding the roadway in question, and the figures he cited for Highway 252 could 3 not be used as "absolute criteria" for any analysis. In fact, there are substantial differences between Highway 252 and County Roads 9 and 10 that account for differences in their capacities. Highway 252 is a principal arterial roadway, while County Roads 9 and 10 are both minor arterial roadways. Principal arterial roadways are designed to carry greater volumes of traffic at higher speeds and over greater distances than are minor arterial roadways. As a principal arterial, Highway 252 has substantially fewer intersections with residential streets than do County Roads 9 and 10, which increases the capacity of Highway 252. d. The Plaintiff also suggested that SRF's capacity estimate for County Road 10 was low because it failed to consider the future expansion of County Road 10. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 11 3. The Plaintiff is incorrect. In all of its studies, SRF assumed that County Road 10 would be improved in the near future. e. The Plaintiff challenged SRF's conclusion that the County Road 9 and 10 traffic corridor would be over capacity even with an expanded County Road 10. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 11 3. The Plaintiff contends that SRF's conclusion is not supported by the traffic counts cited in the 1987 SRF study for County Roads 9 and 10. By the time that SRF prepared its 1988 traffic study, however, SRF had more accurate data than the data used in the 1987 study. The traffic counts in the 1987 study were projected traffic counts for 1986, based upon actual traffic counts taker, in 4 1985. When SRF conducted the 1988 study, it had actual 1988 traffic counts that showed a combined traffic count of 43,000 vehicles per day on County Roads 9 and 10. Using a 3.5% growth projection, the projected combined traffic count for County Roads 9 and 10 would be 55,000 vehicles per day by 1992, the approximate date that construction of Schmidt Lake Road was expected to be completed. That projected traffic count exceeds or nearly exceeds the combined capaci- ty of 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles per day and demonstrates an immediate need to construct Schmidt Lake Road. f. Mr. Stenoien suggests in paragraph 7 of his affidavit that there is no need for Schmidt Lake Road because it would result in three four -lane roads "within about a mile" carrying vehicles in the same direction. The distance from a proposed roadway to other roadways does not in itself provide a sound basis for determining the need for the roadway. Instead, a determination of need depends upon a detailed analysis of specific information about the amount of traffic in the traffic corridor, the destination -type of the traffic, and the capacities of existing roadways to handle the traffic in the corridor. Nevertheless, where Schmidt Lake Road is proposed to be built, the distance between County Roads 9 and 10 is not "slightly greater than a mile" but is 1.8 miles. An approximate distance of one mile between minor arterial roadways is an accepted rule of thumb for traffic planning purposes. The construction of Schmidt Lake Road would result in an approximate spacing of 5 .9 miles between County Road 9 and Schmidt Lake Road and between Schmidt Lake Road and County Road 10. 5. The Plaintiff also asserts in its moving papers that the City failed to consider feasible and practical alternatives to the construction of Schmidt Lake Road. Each of those asserted alternatives is listed and discussed below: a. The Plaintiff alleges that SRF failed to consider the City's plans to expand Zachary Lane, which is a north - south road that connects County Roads 9 and 10. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 111► 4, 6. SRF was aware of the City's plans for Zachary Lane, but those plans do not resolve the problem that creates the need for Schmidt Lake Road. Schmidt Lake Road is needed because the projected growth of traffic in the east -west corridor of County Roads 9 and 10 exceeds the capacity of those roads. Improvement of a north -south road will not reduce the combined volume of east -west traffic in the corridor, and it will not increase the combined capacities of County Roads 9 and 10. b. The Plaintiff suggests that SRF failed to evaluate alternatives such as traffic signals and expanded use of existing streets such as 45th Avenue North. Affidavit of Thomas Stenoien, 111[ 5, 6. The City is considering the possibility of improving the County Road 9 and Saratoga Lane intersection to reduce queuing at that intersection. Although improvements at that intersection may improve the capacity of that specific intersection, it will not elimi- nate the excess traffic on County Road 9 as a whole. 9 Similarly, expanded use of 45th Avenue North is not a practical alternative to building Schmidt Lake Road. The SRF studies demonstrated a need for a roadway to carry east -west through traffic, and 45th Avenue North is not designed to carry through traffic. It is unsafe to route through traffic over streets designed for local residential use. Although SRF did consider the alternatives suggested by Plaintiff, it determined that the alternatives did not provide feasible or practical solutions to the traffic problems that create a need for Schmidt Lake Road. 6. Members of the SRF staff met on several occasions during the permit process with staff members of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). All of the issues raised in Mr. Stenoien's affidavit were considered and presented to the DNR at some time during the permit process, either in the written permit application submissions or in discussions with DNR staff. 7. In my professional opinion as a traffic engineer, and based upon the data that SRF obtained in connection with its 1987 and 1988 traffic studies, there is a present need for an addi- tional minor arterial roadway such as Schmidt Lake Road to carry east -west traffic in the County Roads 9 and 10 traffic corridor. It is also my opinion that there are no feasible or practical alternatives to the construction of the additional roadway. Dated. Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 1989. Notary Public 0066AF04.I34 7 Dennis Eyler STATE OF MINNESOTA CASE TYPE: OTHER CIVIL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF RAMSEY SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - State of Minnesota, by Plymouth People to Protect our Wetlands, Plaintiff, v. Joseph N. Alexander, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Defendant. STATE OF MINNESOTA ) SS. COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) AFFID"IT OF FRED MOORE File No. CX -89-8873 I, Fred Moore, being first duly sworn, depose and say: 1. I am a registered professional engineer, licensed by the State of Minnesota. I am employed by the City of Plymouth ("City") as the Director of Public Works. 2. I am familiar with the City of Plymouth Project No. 705, which involves the construction of Schmidt Lake Road through a portion of Unnamed Wetland No. 27-579W in the City. 3. Attached as Exhibit A to this Affidavit is a true and correct copy of a letter dated June 27, 1989 from Ronald D. Harnack to me, enclosing a copy of Permit No. 89-6137. 4. In reliance upon Permit No. 89-6137, I recommended to the City Council that they approve plans and specifications for the construction of Schmidt Lake Road. The City Council approved —=— \ the plans and specifications and authorized the advertisement for bids on the project on July 10, 1989. 5. On August 3, 1989, the City opened bids for the Schmidt Lake Road construction project. 6. The City awarded the contract for the Schmidt Lake Road construction project on August 7, 1989. The total amount of the contract awarded by the City Council is $721,678.67. Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 1989. Notary Public 0066AF02.I34 2 Fred Moore i EXHIBIT A ��nnMSTATEE OF UVUVLS2JO� Mk DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES vHONENo. DIVISION OF WATERS - 500 LAFAYETTE RD., ST. PAUL, MN 55155 FILE NO. 296-4800 June 27, 1989 Mr. Fred Moore City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55441 RE: PERMIT #89-6137, SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD, UNNAMED WETLAND 27-579W, CITY OF PLYMOUTH Dear Mr. Moore: Enclosed is your permit, #189-6137, which authorizes construction of Schmidt Lake Road through unnamed wetland 27-579W. The City, through its consulting engineer, Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc., has demonstrated that a public need exists for the road and that there are no feasible or practical alternatives to avoid wetland impacts. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Rules, Part 6115.0190, Subpart 3, item F, the prohibition of filling to create roads across protected waters is hereby waived. The permit contains several attachments which pertain to the mitigation requirements for the filling. These attachments were also coordinated with the City's consultant but have been modified slightly by Provision 3 of Attachment A to require a 75 -foot buffer strip area between the road embankment and excavated mitigation areas. Thank you for your cooperation through the Department's permit proce��. ;f you have any questions, please feel free to contact Regional Hydrologist John Linc Stine at 296-7523. Sincerely, Ronald D. Harnack Administrator Permits/Land Use Section Enclosure cc: USCOE Hennepin SWCD Shingle Creek WMO K. Lines, AWM D. Johnson, C.O. J. Fax, St. Paul Waters Tom Stenoien Tim Phenow, Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch L100:kap NA -02733-01 PROTECTED WATERS P.A. Number ZINNESOTA 89-6137 Department of atural Resources PERMIT Division of waters pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 105, and on the basis of statemtnts and information containec --e permit application, letters, maps and plans submitted by the applicant and others supporting data, all are made a Dart hereof by reference, PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED to the applicant named below to change the course, current, ��voo ac�uvn v, County Protected Plater Unnamed Wetland (27-579W) Hennepin Name of Applicant Telephone Number (include Area Code) City of Plymouth Attn: Fred Moore(612)559-2800 Address (No. E Street, RFD, Box No.. City, State, Zip Code) 400 Plvmouth Blvd, P ' 55441 Autho-ized to: excavate and place fill to construct Schmidt Lake Road; install culverts to equalize water levels on either side of road, and; excavate to perform mitigation as described in Attachment A; all as shown and described in permit application and supporting plans and materials received September 9, 1988, April 27, 1989, and May 30, 1989. Purpose of Permit: I Expiration Date of Permit Road Crossing Property Described as: County lHenneRin- 1W} Section 12, Township118 North Range 22 West As Indicated: (8) As Indicated: (11) the ordinary high water Does not apply level 913.10 ft. NGVD 1 29 This permit is granted subject to the following GENERAL and SPECIAL PROVISIONS: GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. This pe^cit is permissive only and shall not release the permittee from any liability or :t: : ga!; by Minnesota Statutes, Federal Law or local ordinances relating thereto and shall remain in fere s.,t-E:: al- conditions and limitations now or hereafter imposed by lar. 2. Th s permit is not assignable except with the written consent of the Commissioner of Natural Resources. 3, The Regional Hydrologist shall be notified at least five days in advance of the commencement of the .Crk he-eunde- and shall be notified of its completion within five days thereafter. The notice c :e'-.. ...:-_ by the Commissioner shall be kept securely posted in a conspicuous place at the sate of operations. h. Nc change shall be made, without written permission previously obtained from the Commissioner of Nat�J•a:=es:_•:e:. in the dimensions, capacity or location e; any items of work authorized hereunder. Tne perrittee shall grant access to the site at all reasonatle times d,ring and after ccns:-u::i r t: 2.--:•::E_ representatives of the Commissioner of Natural Resources for inspection of the work authorized nertw'de'- b. This Fermit may be terminated by the Commissioner of Natural Resources at any time he deems it ne:essa•, the conservation of water resources of the state, or in the interest of public health and welfare, er '--w of any of the provisions of this permit, unless otherwise provided in the Special previsions. Construction work authorized under this permit $hall be com:letee cn or before date s;ecified z::�E. --- - -- request to the Commissioner by the Permittee, statirg the reason therefore, an extension cf t:me r2• :. ----• F. 'he etcava:ion cf soil authorized here:- shat; n:t De ccrstr,ed incl%jde :he removal =� - •ncitatec a:cveunless the area from whi: s.cr crca- ire 'ter is remCved, e'ti:---. the z::.i:atic c` bentonite after excavatio. :r 211 cases where the dcinc tv the peri:t'-ee :f anvthinc z_t`or ized by this permit steal: ..... _ daracing of any property rioht<- nterests of try p*,her person o' -erSCnS. Cr . it -:5 :m: ovemerts the'ecn or interests the'E: the :!'r-ttee, bE'Cre Cr:CetC:r'y .'E ,tE' ^SE'. all Derscrs, aoen::es, cr a,.tnc".t.es ce'ned, ac: sra'.. 2C...ro 2': 'E'Ec'c ne:essarr there*Cre. PERMIT #89-6137 DATED. / BY: ATTACHMENT A 1. All mitigation work shall be completed prior to expiration of the permit. 2. Mitigation for the road filling activity allowed by this permit shall consist of: a) excavation of two areas totalling 2.0 acres, and b) preservation of upland areas by public dedication or private deed restrictions. 3. Excavation areas outlined in Item 2.a., above, shall be constructed as shown in Attachment B prepared by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc. (printed April 26, 1989) except that no portions of the excavation shall occur within 75 feet of the toe of the Schmidt Lake Road embankment. If this 75 foot buffer strip area is disturbed during construction, it shall be immediately restored to permanent emergent vegetation (cattails, bulrush, or reed canary grass) by planting live plant materials. 4. The 75 foot buffer strip area shall not decrease the area to be excavated. 5. All excavated areas shall also conform to the following criteria: a. A variable (rather than an even -sided) shoreline should be constructed to increase the amount of shoreline per unit area and increase the waterfowl usage by providing isolated areas for feeding and loafing. b. The bottom contour should be uneven and rolling to produce a variable water depth and allow for emergent vegetation growth on shallow areas throughout the basin. Water depth in shallow areas should be about 12 - 18 inches and about 3 - 4 feet in the deepest areas. The shoreline area should have a gentle (10:1 to 20:1) slope to provide for adequate vegetative growth, but can also be variable to provide small vegetative "fingers" and open "bays" and thus more edge. Permit #89-6137 Attachment A Page Two C. The wetland should have a good clay seal to prevent leakage. In addition, muck excavated from existing wetlands should be placed in the bottom of the newly created areas. This will provide the basin with a naturally occurring seed bank and other material of high organic content. d. After construction, a layer of natural or domestic hay shall be placed on the excavated area to allow a detritus food chain to become established more rapidly. e. The 75 foot buffer area around the perimeter of the excavated areas shall be left unmowed and undisturbed to ensure optimum wildlife production. 6. All upland areas to be preserved as described in Item 2.b., above, shall be those indicated by numbers 1 - 9 on Attachment C prepared by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc. (printed April 19, 1989). L158:kap