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1l. Coulter Boulevard Phase II: Wetland Alteration Permit.1 1 E l n fl CITY OF li - CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 BACKGROUND This wetland alteration is part of an upgrade of a City project which will extend Coulter Boulevard from Bluff Creek Elementary School to McGlynn Road. This road extension will cross the Bluff Creek and Stone Creek both of which run north to south. The Bluff Creek crossing on Coulter Boulevard is proposed to be a 60 inch pipe to convey the creek under the road, Bluff Creek feeds into a larger wetland complex at this point, before continuing south. This wetland is a Type 2, seasonally flooded ag /urban basin. The impact to this wetland will be 0.60 acres. This permit application includes the impacts of an extension of Stone Creek Boulevard which will also cross the Bluff Creek. This proposed crossing would fill 0.12 acres of the same wetland affected by the proposed Coulter Boulevard extension. This road project would be completed as a separate project by a private developer. It is important to emphasize that this Wetland Alteration Permit includes impacts as the result of crossing the Bluff Creek and no additional impacts to the wetland are proposed with the construction of Stone Creek Boulevard. As a result of these wetland impacts, the City has proposed a wetland mitigation plan that would create acres of new wetlands along the creek north of the crossing, and completing the 2:1 mitigation requirement by a combination of upland buffers and Public Value Credits from the City's wetland bank. In addition to the wetland replacement, the plans would provide 0.90 acres ' of upland vegetation restoration and a rock weir structure to promote fish travel along the creek. WETLAND IMPACTS The proposed impacts of this project will affect a Type 2, Ag/urban wetland basin which is part of the Bluff Creek Watershed. This wetland is area that has previously been altered due to ' agricultural practices. It is now a partial drained wet meadow wetlands dominated by reed canary grass and clumps of sand bar willow that acts as an overflow for the Bluff Creek in this area. This MEMORANDUM Action by City AdrrilntstiataA TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager Endorse ✓ w A FROM: Phillip Elkin, Water Resource Coordinator Modifie Rejecte Dat 'I - I& -qlo DATE: July 18, 1996 Date submitted to Commission SUBJ: Coulter Boulevard Phase II Date submitted to Council Wetland Alteration Permit 96 -6 - 7 6 BACKGROUND This wetland alteration is part of an upgrade of a City project which will extend Coulter Boulevard from Bluff Creek Elementary School to McGlynn Road. This road extension will cross the Bluff Creek and Stone Creek both of which run north to south. The Bluff Creek crossing on Coulter Boulevard is proposed to be a 60 inch pipe to convey the creek under the road, Bluff Creek feeds into a larger wetland complex at this point, before continuing south. This wetland is a Type 2, seasonally flooded ag /urban basin. The impact to this wetland will be 0.60 acres. This permit application includes the impacts of an extension of Stone Creek Boulevard which will also cross the Bluff Creek. This proposed crossing would fill 0.12 acres of the same wetland affected by the proposed Coulter Boulevard extension. This road project would be completed as a separate project by a private developer. It is important to emphasize that this Wetland Alteration Permit includes impacts as the result of crossing the Bluff Creek and no additional impacts to the wetland are proposed with the construction of Stone Creek Boulevard. As a result of these wetland impacts, the City has proposed a wetland mitigation plan that would create acres of new wetlands along the creek north of the crossing, and completing the 2:1 mitigation requirement by a combination of upland buffers and Public Value Credits from the City's wetland bank. In addition to the wetland replacement, the plans would provide 0.90 acres ' of upland vegetation restoration and a rock weir structure to promote fish travel along the creek. WETLAND IMPACTS The proposed impacts of this project will affect a Type 2, Ag/urban wetland basin which is part of the Bluff Creek Watershed. This wetland is area that has previously been altered due to ' agricultural practices. It is now a partial drained wet meadow wetlands dominated by reed canary grass and clumps of sand bar willow that acts as an overflow for the Bluff Creek in this area. This MEMORANDUM 1 Coulter Boulevard July 18, 1996 Page 2 ' wetland is approximately 5.6 acres in size. The impact as the result of this proposed project is 0.72 acres. ' As mentioned above, this proposed project impacts a wetland connected to the Bluff Creek. The Bluff Creek is approximately 6.6 miles long, beginning in the northwest comer of Chanhassen and , exits into the Minnesota River floodplain. Currently the Bluff Creek Watershed is the subject of an intensive water resource management plan being prepared by a committee of concerned ' citizens, developers, watershed district representatives and City staff. The focus of the study is to develop a local vision for future development and natural resource management in the Bluff Creek Watershed. This study has proposed recommendations for this area to preserve its natural , qualities as the surrounding areas become developed. ANALYSIS ' In reviewing this plan, there are two areas City staff is concerned with; that the plan is consistent with the Surface Water Management Plan and the Wetland Conservation Act, and that the plan is ' consistent with the recommendations of the Bluff Creek Watershed Management Plan. Staff has reviewed this plan and has found that it meets the requirements of both the City's ' Surface Water Management Plan and the Wetland Conservation Act. The replacement of wetland loss will be provided at a ratio of 2:1. The wetland impacts of 0.72 acres will be replaced with the creation of 0.72 acres of new wetlands upstream of the proposed impacts, yet in the same wetland ' complex. The remaining 0.72 acres of wetland replacement will be completed with upland buffer and 0.18 acres of Public Value Credits from the City's wetland Bank. Although the project proposes to create 0.90 acres of upland restoration, WCA rules allow only 0.54 acres to be ' allowed as mitigation credits. The City has applied to the necessary regulating agencies, soliciting comments and permits where needed. a ' Ideally, the City would like to see wetland impacts replaced with wetlands of equal or higher quality at a two to one ratio. This practice provides extra storage to the affected watershed, improves water quality in the City's watershed and replaces wetland areas filled by previous development. To accomplish this replacement at this site, we believe that other natural areas would be sacrificed. To preserve these natural areas, we recommend that the remaining 0.18 , acres be mitigated through upland buffers and the City's wetland bank. In developing this plan the city has also considered recommendations by the Bluff Creek ' Watershed Management Plan. The plan recommended that this area be targeted for improvements in the forested areas as well as vegetation restoration. The proposed wetland mitigation will provide 0.90 acres of upland vegetation to improve the creek's buffer. The plan ' also proposes removal of existing reed canary grass and reestablishing emergent vegetation. At the request of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a rock weir structure will be 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Coulter Boulevard July 18, 1996 Page 3 constructed to promote fish travel and spawning in the creek. The management plan also recommends a wildlife travel corridor along the creek under Highway 5 and under roads crossing the creek. This plan provides a wildlife corridor east of the recommended area under the Stone Creek crossing. PLANNING CONMUSSION UPDATE On July 17, 1996, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the wetland alteration permit. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt the following motion: "The Planning Commission recommends the City Council approve Wetland Alteration Permit 96- 6 subject to the following conditions: 1. Wetland Conservation Act and the City of Chanhassen Surface Water Management Plan requirements. 2. The applicant receive permits from the jurisdiction agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, The DNR and the Bluff Creek Watershed district. 3. The applicant shall develop a sediment and erosion control plan in accordance with the City's Best Management Practice Handbook. Type III erosion control fencing will be required around the existing wetlands. 4. The applicant review the recommendations of the Bluff Creek Watershed steering committee and incorporate the recommended improvements into this plan. Specifically, determine the best location for the proposed wildlife corridor." ATTACHMENT 1. Reduced plan. G. \eng \phillip\ wetlands \permits \coltnvapupdt.doc 'J Planning Commission Meeting - July 17, 1996 r-- L 9. One pylon sign is permitted. The area of the sign may not exceed 64 square feet and a height of 16 feet. The sign must maintain a 10 foot setback from the property line. ' 10. The applicant must obtain a sign permit prior to erecting the sign on site. A detailed sign plan incorporating the method of lighting, acceptable to staff should be provided ' prior to requesting a building permit. All voted in favor and the motion carded. ' PUBLIC HEARING: WETLAND ALTERATION PERMIT FOR COULTER BLVD. PHASE IL IMPROVEMENT ' PROJECT 93 -26B TO FILL 0.72 ACRE TYPE 3 AG/URBAN WETLANDS AND MITIGATE BY CREATING 1.42 ACRES OF TYPE 3 NATURAL WETLAND LOCATED ' BETWEEN BLUFF CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND AUDUBON ROAD, CITY OF CHANHASSEN. Kate Aanenson presented the staff report on this item. ' Mancino: Any questions for staff at this point? I Joyce: Kate, just for my edification. Are you saying that, as far as that wetland bank, I'm just a little bit confused. To get the 2:1 you're going to get to add to the Lake Susan project? I Is that what you're saying? Aanenson: It's already there. The City, when the City did that project, we enhanced that I wetland. Joyce: So you had those credits? I Aanenson: The credits are available, correct. So we're just, as a city project we're taking the replacement credits and applying to the bank, exactly like a check and balance. There's only I so much credits available. Joyce: Okay. ' Mancino: Will the culvert be able to be walkable? I mean you know when you put a 60 inch culvert up. ' Aanenson: I'm glad you brought that up. I meant to mention that because that was an issue as far as the Bluff Creek, as far as wildlife habitat and crossing of the creek. The crossing ' 6 1 I Planning Commission Meeting - July 17, 1996 1 underneath, if you can point that out Bob. It's right at the top. There's a crossing underneath ' Highway 5 which has really been a critical crossing point right there ... that would allow deer to get underneath. In looking at this, we did go back and carefully evaluate that. Really the critical crossing as far as a deer is really TH 5, where there's more intermittent traffic along ' the Coulter so, and to make the grades, it didn't work as well but we believe that, as far as wildlife. L Mancino: So the deer will go over the road is what you're saying? Aanenson: Probably go over, right. Under TH 5, correct. And there also is another crossing further down, where Bob's pointing that there is another structure that will allow larger wildlife to go underneath at that point. Further down where Bob just point which is, as a part of that, we did receive some ISTEA money to get a structure at that point so there is an undergrade passing at that point. But not closer to the school. Mancino: And when you say bigger wildlife, are you including deer? Aanenson: Yes. Mancino: That big? Oh, okay. Aanenson: Yes. Mancino: Moose? Aanenson: I don't know. Mancino: Okay, thank you. Any other questions for staff at this point? Thank you. May I have a motion to open this for a public hearing and a second please? Skubic moved, Fatmakes seconded to open the public healing. The public hearing was opened. Mancino: Anyone wishing to address the Planning Commission, please do so at this time. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close the public hearing, and a second please. Joyce moved, Skubic seconded to close the public heating. The public hearing was closed. Mancino: Comments from commissioners Jeff. 7 Planning Commission Meeting - July 17, 1996 Farmakes: No other comments. Mancino: Kevin. Joyce: Pretty straight forward. I support the staff I guess. Mancino: Okay. Bob. Skubic: I'm in agreement with the staff report. Mancino: Ladd. Conrad: Staff report's fine. Peterson: I agree. Mancino: I have no comments either. May I please have a recommendation, or a motion. Joyce: I'll make a motion that the planning staff recommends the City Council approve Wetland Alteration Permit #96 -6 subject to conditions 1 through 4. Mancino: Thank you. Is there a second? Skubic: Second. Mancino: It has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Joyce moved, Skubic seconded that the Planning Commission recommends approval of Wetland Alteration Permit 496 -6, subject to the following conditions: 1. Wetland Conservation Act and the City of Chanhassen Surface Water Management Plan requirements. 2. The applicant receive permits from the jurisdiction agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, the DNR, and the Bluff Creek Watershed District. 3. The applicant shall develop a sediment and erosion control plan in accordance with the City's Best Management Practice Handbook. Type III erosion control fencing will be required around the existing wetlands. 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Planning Commission Meeting - July 17, 1996 4. The applicant review the recommendations of the Bluff Creek Watershed steering committee and incorporate the recommended improvements into this plan. Specifically, determine the best location for the proposed wildlife corridor. All voted in favor and the motion carried. 2