Sathre-Bergqist letter 7-20-04150 SOUTH BROADWAY
(952) 476-6000
WAYZATA, MN 55391
FAX (952) 476-0104
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, Chairperson and
Members of the Planning Board and Professional Staff- City of
Chanhassen
Bob Payette, Sathre-Bergquist, Inc.
Moon Valley
July 20, 2004
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
RECEIVED
CHANHASSEN PLANNING DEPT
We are pleased to present to you a proposal for the Moon Valley Gravel Pit restoration.
BACKGROUND:
The Moon Valley Property, for you history types, was one of the early downhill ski areas
developed in the fifties with a rope tow. The rope tow used an old tractor engine with
pulleys made from car tire rims mounted on poles. Subsequent to that, the owners mined
the rich gravel prevalent on the Minnesota River Bluff. The pit has also housed a high-
powered rifle, pistol, and trap range.
The proposal is submitted in accordance with the Settlers West Developer's Agreement
whereas the current uses would discontinue and a modification to the existing restoration
plan would be approved by the City showing the lower plateau being graded in such a
way to provide slope stabilization, erosion control measures, and a storm water
management plan. The proposal is being presented to the City with the consideration that
the area will be rezoned medium/high density residential and office/industrial from its
current A2 and BF zoning as guided by the City of Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan.
Currently, an end use grading plan prepared by Sathre - Bergquist, Inc.in 1992 (the
"1992 Plan") has been approved by the City. This plan restores all the mined slopes,
provides storm water ponding, and provides for approximately 8.5 acres of useable area
for future building. This plan proposes grading 3 acres of existing wooded bluff and an
additional .9 acres of trees. We do not believe that 8.5 acres ofbuildable area for
medium to high density residential is adequate for this property to meet the goals of the
City's Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the 1992 Plan adversely impacts the existing
bluff area and results in a circular valley that does not allow for use of the natural beauty
prevalent on the site. Therefore, our goal in the design of the submitted Grading Plan is
to impact less existing bluff area than the currently approved plan and provide for more
buildable area consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The plan we submitted meets
both of these goals. The useable area has been increased from 8.5 acres to 18 acres, 14
acres east of the creek and 4 acres west of the creek, and the bluff impact is only 2.6 acres
instead of 3 acres. The impacted bluff area has been reconfigured to minimize the impact
on the aesthetic beauty of the site. The proposed grading plan does impact the existing
tree coverage. The proposed plan removes 7.3 acres of trees instead of 3.9 acres in the
1992 Plan east of the creek. The grading west of the creek would impact approximately
4.8 acres of trees. We would work with the City to establish a reforestation plan to meet
any mitigation requirements of the Tree Ordinance
THE PROPERTY:
The land area consists of approximately 75 acres of steep slopes straddling a creek
meandering southerly to the Minnesota River. Settlers West, a community of 58 homes
currently under construction, is located along the northerly boundary. The Eastern
portion of the site on the upper plateau abuts land in Eden Prairie that includes Settlers
Ridge, a residential community of 220 homes, and the lower mined area of the site abuts
the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area. The entire northwest boundary of the site is
along the Hennepin County Regional Railway Corridor. Extensive frontage along
Highway 212 defines the southerly boundary of the site.
PLAN:
The lower area is proposed to be developed per the Comprehensive Plan at a future date
when utilities are available to serve this area. The proposed plan at this point in time is to
grade the site to create plateaus with average slopes of 4% or less where future medium
to high density residential could be constructed in the future, while providing the
necessary erosion protection, restoration, and storm water ponding. This grading
restoration will prevent further unsightly and detrimental erosion from the site, as it
currently exists. The plan as shown provides for attractive views of the Minnesota River
Valley.
Access will be provided from two points: one along Highway 212 near the existing
entrance to the mine area and gun range, and another west of the creek in which a
pleasant meandering private road would be constructed in the future traversing the
hillside to reach a plateau with a beautiful view of the river valley.
Extensive studies are underway regarding trees, topography, bluffs, utility service,
wetlands, and storm water. Through the development review and approval process we
will work with the City's goals in all of these areas and strive to exceed their vision for
the guided uses of this property. We respectfully request your approval of this
outstanding new neighborhood.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM:
The development team will consist of the Pemtom Land Company, Sathre-Bergquist, Inc.
and Westwood Professional Services. This is an experienced team with over 100
combined years in the profession of creating high quality neighborhoods throughout the
area.
DEVELOPER:
The Pemtom Land Company has been active in building and developing in the
Metropolitan area since 1963. Adjacent neighborhoods created in the vicinity include,
Crimson Bay in Chanhassen, Trillium Bay and Eagle Bluff in Minnetrista, Swiss
Mountain in Victoria, Wynnfield on Dell Road and Settlers Ridge in Eden Prairie. Other
neighborhoods in Eden Prairie include Entrevaux, Kingston Ridge, St. Johns Wood and
Normandy Crest. On Lake Minnetonka our neighborhoods include Chimo, McCarthys
Woods, Brynmar Place, Carsonwood, and Greenwoods on the Lake.
SATHRE-BERGQUIST, INC.:
Sathre-Bergquist will prepare plans, surveys, plats, and engineering works. Sathre-
Bergquist, Inc. is a Land Surveying and Engineering firm located in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Our firm has been providing planning, engineering, and surveying services for
commercial and residential development projects for over 25 years in communities
throughout the Metropolitan area. Over the years we have designed and worked with our
clients to develop numerous sites in both Chanhassen and Eden Prairie. Our goal as
designers and engineers is to work with the natural features of sites to create quality
home and business sites with appealing streetscapes using curvilinear streets varying in
elevation that draw people to these sites.
WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
Westwood Professional Services has provided land development consulting services for
over 32 years. Westwood's approach to the environment is to provide quality places to
live, work, and play while protecting our natural resources to the greatest extent possible.
Our team of wetland scientists includes over 35 years of experience in wetland
delineations, and mitigation designs.