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City Council Minutes September 19, 1983 pa,geSeven which frequently holds water be considered in the definition of lot area. City Administrator further indicated that Mr. Harju has indicated that he be willing to review platted areas to determine the adequacy of soils for site septic systems and to help judge the buildable nature of the plat. The would on- Mr. Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator, indicated that in the dis- cussion of the Deerfield Plat and the lot area size, Mr. Harju expressed his con- cern for soil conservation, soil erosion, contamination and the percolation rate of soils in a particular plat. Mr. Harju indicated that objectives of the Soil Conservation Service are the preservation of agricultural land and to control ero- sion, both rural and urban. Mr. Harju indicated that Sherburne County has coarse soil and therefore, it is a pool filtering system. Mr. Harju indicated that Sher- burne County also has a high ground water level and it is a concern of the Soil Con- servation Service as to'where the contamination goes. Mr. Harju reviewed various soil maps with the City Council and the methods by which the Soil Conservation Ser- vice can determine conditions of soil and the peroclation rate of various soils. Mr. Harju indicated that some communities require soil borings and percolation tests for plat development. Mr. Harju further indicated that the Soil Conservation Service would be willing to work with the City of Elk River in the review of plats and will provide any information they can to the City of Elk River regarding soil conditions. Mr. Harju indicated that he and the Soil Conservation Service are very concerned about the future. The City Administrator indicated that based on the staff's discussion with Mr. Harju, it is recommended that the City Council consider the lot area~defini- tion as recommended by City staff in his memo daced September 15, 1983. General discussion was carried on regarding the Planning Commission's recommendation on the lot area definition. Mr. Rick Breezee, Building and Zoning Administrator, indicated that Planning Commission members Mr. John Pearce and Mr. Jim Tralle felt that if a purchaser should buy two and one-half acres of marshland, it was a situ- ation of "let the buyer beware". Mr. Rick Breezee indicated that the concern is how much area is needed for building and a septic system on a particular lot. Mr. Breezee further indicated that he felt theCity Council should require percolation tests for development. Mr. John Oliver suggested that the definition should define minimum area for a building site rather than exclude areas occupied by water. Further discussion was carried on regarding the Planning Commission's recommendation versus City staff's recommendation of lot area definition. Mayor Hinkle suggested that the City ,Council continue the public hearing until the Planning Commission can r~Qn~~gerthe lot area definition issue. The City Administrator indicated that Mr. John Oliver has a client that is waiting for a specific definition in order to finish the final plat. Mr. John Oliver indicated that they have been working based on the Planning Commission's recommendation and the fact that the City Council is considering something different than the Planning Commission's recommendation, has caused him some difficulty. Councilmember Duitsman suggested that the lot area definition be again referred to the Planning Commission for a recommendation. Mr. Harju suggested that the Soil Con- servation provide the City of Elk River Planning Commission with a wetland definition.