friends of log house landing presentation - sept 3 2014
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for Scandia city council workshop concerning Log House Landing renovations.TRANSCRIPT
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LOG HOUSE LANDING
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Chauncey Anderson Hydrologist / Water Quality Specialist
Steve Bubul Municipal Attorney / Legal Consultant
Kelli Carlson Petition and Media
Shane Coen Landscape Architect and Planner
Stuart Krahn Landscape architect / Engineering firm
Karen Schik - Senior Ecologist at Friends of the Mississippi. VP of Scandia Parks and Trails
Lisa Schlingerman Scandia Parks and Trails Board Member
Pam Smith Log House Landing Spokesperson
SPEAKERS
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OBJECTIVES AND CONCERNS
SOLVE WATER QUALITY AND EROSION, BUT DO THE MINIMUM TO PRESERVE THE RUSTIC, RURAL AND HISTORIC CHARACTER
Erosion and Water Quality
Protecting the Natural Environment
Community Input and Petition
Context and History
Access
Parking
St. Croix National Park Service Guidelines
Safety
Grant Flexibility
Cost Saving Taxpayer Dollars
Maintenance
Liability Issues
Scandia Comprehensive Plan Goals
Community Involvement
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Maintain its unique rural character, agricultural heritage, historic charm, and natural resources Road system retains the ambiance of the countryside.
- 2030 Scandia Comprehensive Plan
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DATA SOURCES
Watershed District monitoring data from creek mouths (multiple samples in 2000-2002; July 2013)
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency data 2008-2012 Routine monitoring (baseflow) & storm samples
Watershed District modeling memo for Loghouse Landing
EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY
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EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY SPECIALIST
05
101520253035404550
CON
CEN
TRAT
ION
(p
pm) St. Croix R. Benchmark
Sediment Concentrations in Watershed District Creeks
Data from CMSCWD
Log House Landing
2000-2002 2013
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EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY
Phosphorus Concentrations in Watershed District Creeks
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
CON
CEN
TRAT
ION
(p
pm)
2000-2002 2013
St. Croix R. Benchmark
Data from CMSCWD
Log House Landing
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EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY
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EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY
Its not about phosphorus Sediment delivery to St. Croix from Gilbertson Creek appears equivalent to other local creeks The primary mitigation issue is sediment delivery to Gilbertson Creek
Mostly from two locations along Landing road Modeling results should be verified or reevaluated
Mitigation appears possible with minimally invasive measures Additional considerations
Invasive Species Shoreline erosion from wakes
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PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT KAREN SCHIK, SENIOR ECOLOGIST AT FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. VP OF SCANDIA PARKS AND TRAILS Natural Resource Inventory - 56 additional trees impacted, ranging from 8 to 45 inches The larger the tree, the more harmful root disturbance. Five most notable trees:
25 diameter white pine, slated for removal. About 90 ft tall. Roughly 80 (plus) years old. Healthy.
45 diameter white pine, on the edge of proposed road. About 130 ft tall. Old growth tree. Mostly healthy with some dead branches.
Three other trees: 24 diameter white pine, 24 sugar maple and a 14 paper birch. All were near the construction edge, and all were healthy.
Native Ecology of the Log House Landing - The vegetation and character of the road provide a sense of place that ties in with the cultural history of the landing.
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COMMUNITY INPUT AND PETITIONKELLI CARLSON, PETITION AND MEDIA
Preserve the rustic and rural character of the landing and the road Do the minimum to solve the erosion and water quality issues St. Croix is popular because it is unspoiled and undeveloped People from Scandia and all over country love this small scenic road and landing.
They come here to experience unspoiled nature Petition Over 300 Scandia residents and neighbors signed the petition in 2 weeks Over 200 Visitors from out of state signed the petition
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COMMUNITY INPUT AND PETITIONKELLI CARLSON, PETITION AND MEDIA
Log House Landing is a beautiful, rural setting tht leads to a National Park and preserving its natural beauty through less costly mitigations should be our goal.
-Kathy Ferrin, Scandia
The St. Croix is a federally protected river and the rustic, wild quality of the river should always be a priority. Once it is changed, it is changed forever. Please limit any work here to what is necessary and respect the character and history of this place. It is a special place.
- Marna Canterbury, Stillwater
We use this landing frequently and love the natural setting. We would hate to see it sacrificed for anything more than the most minimalistic road improvements.
- Dale Anderson, Marine on the St. Croix
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CONTEXT AND HISTORYLISA SCHLINGERMAN SCANDIA PARKS AND TRAILS BOARD MEMBER
Location is historic and cultural landmark Connects the River to the history of Scandia and Swedish immigration Road was used over 100 years ago by Swedish immigrants:During the 1850s, steamboats would dock at a point called Log House Landing and immigrants would disembark with their trunks and knapsacks, climbing the steep hill out of the valley and trudging through heavy woods in search of proper sites to build log houses and make a new beginning.
- Anna Engquists book Scandia: Then and Now.
National Park Service to provide signage honoring this site and educating visitors about the National Park and the history of Scandia
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ACCESS,PARKING, AND SAFETY STUART KRAHN, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Usage in August: Weekdays: 0-4, averaging 2 Friday afternoons and evenings: 5-8 Saturdays: 12-19 Sundays: 4-11
Parking requires combination of creative solutions limited by National Park Service recommendation, public desire for narrow rural road, site constraints
Safety Urban Planners know that increased road width and smooth surfaces increase speeds and risk of accidents
Traffic Calming Techniques such as narrow roads and aggregate surfaces slow speeds and increase attentiveness
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There should be no new or expanded boat ramps or car-trailer parking on the Lower St. Croix...State and local units of government are strongly encouraged to restrict parking adjacent to all launch ramps, public and private, on lands under their jurisdiction.
- 2001 Cooperative Management Plan, Page 67
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GUIDELINES
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GRANT FLEXIBILITYPAM PLOWMAN SMITH FRIENDS OF LOG HOUSE LANDING SPOKESPERSON
Liability risk with variance would be negligible because no standards exist for this type of road. Engineering judgment is encouraged when determining road width. Municipal attorney to address specifics after alternatives are presented
DNR likes to see roads that are lower impact and less destructive to the environment --DNR Engineer
Grant funds can be used for gravel road Grant funds can be used for storm water systems Grant funds can be used for berming and vegetation along roadside Changes to grant application for less expensive gravel road will not jeopardize grant, nor
require reapplication just a change request No expiration on grant Variance that has good environmental reasons and strong community support likely to be
approved Variance process for this road (not a State Aid Road) would only require approval from
DNR and Metro district engineers
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GRANT FLEXIBILITYPAM PLOWMAN SMITH FRIENDS OF LOG HOUSE LANDING SPOKESPERSON
DNR engineer will work with and advise City on change requests prior to submission Grant Amount - Current 50% cost share likely to stay the same, saving Scandia and
Watershed money if costs are reduced May be possible to make the case that Quinnell is part of the access to St. Croix River and
apply the remaining unused portion of $200k on Quinnell repair.
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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND NEW ALTERNATIVESSHANE COEN, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND PLANNER
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Quinnell Ave. N
Quint Ave. N
205th St. N
Gilbertsons Creek
Log House Landing
environmentally sensitive area:
springs & seeps
daylighted spring
(polluted by railroad)
significant specimen
white pine
environmentally sensitive wooded area: springs & seeps, many ancient white pine, sugar maples, & oaks
120 of wide area for parking
ANALYSIS
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2007 BONESTROO PLANCOST: UNKNOWN
SOUTH NORTHPARKING LANE GRAVEL
DRIVING LANE ASPHALT
ROCK SWALE & CHECK DAM
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2012 EOR PLANCOST: $180,000
PARKING LANE GRAVEL
DRIVING LANE ASPHALT
ROCK SWALE & CHECK DAM
SOUTH NORTH
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2013 EOR PLANCOST: $210,000
PARKING LANE POROUS
CURB & GUTTER
CURB & GUTTER
DRIVING LANE ASPHALT
SOUTH NORTH
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CURRENT CITY PLAN WITH PARKINGCOST: 400,000
CURB & GUTTER
CURB & GUTTER
DRIVING LANE ASPHALTPARKING LANE ASPHALT
SOUTH NORTH
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Quinnell Ave. N
Quint Ave. N
205th St. N
Gilbertsons Creek
Log House Landing
ALTERNATIVE PLANSadditional parking pull out
passingpull out passing
divert railroad runoff away from daylighted spring
13 resurfaced gravel road between Quinnell and Quint.
Road 13-16 resurfaced gravel or 13 paved surfacing from Quint to Landing. Landing resurfaced gravel.
bio-infiltration pond north
of trailer parking
re-grade landing, slope away from river, improve boat landing with cable concrete, 1 ADA parking spot
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ALTERNATIVE PLAN -PAVED OPTION Road 13 paved bituminous surfacing from Quint to landing Road paved with north cross slope Road 13 gravel surfacing from Quinnell to Quint regraded to slope toward swale Landing gravel surfacing Provide two pull outs for passing and retain Quint egress to the south Continuous 4 rock filled infiltration swale (north side) Bio-filtration facility (pond) located at base of the road Berming on south sections of road and plantings Construct small retaining wall to protect daylighted spring east of railroad tracks Regrade landing to slope away from the river toward pond Parking
Provide 100 non-trailer parking spaces on landing (one ADA) Provide 120 lineal gravel lane where road naturally widens at base /starting at landing Provide 300 gravel parking on Quinnell north of the intersection to be located away from
homes Reinforce riverbank with natural rock and plantings Concrete cable boat launch
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ROCK INFILTRATIONTRENCH
GRAVEL SHOULDER
DRIVING LANE ASPHALT
SOUTH NORTH
ALTERNATIVE PLAN -PAVED OPTIONAPPROXIMATE COST: $150,000-$200,000
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ALTERNATIVE PLAN -GRAVEL OPTION Retain 13-16 current width Retain aggregate surfacing Regrade road with north cross slope Provide two pull outs for passing and retain Quint egress to the south Continuous 4 rock filled infiltration swale (north side) Bio-filtration facility (pond) located at base of the road Berming on south sections of road and plantings Construct small retaining wall to protect daylighted spring east of railroad tracks Regrade landing to slope away from the river toward pond Parking
Provide 100 non-trailer parking spaces on landing (one ADA) Provide 120 lineal lane where road naturally widens at base /starting at landing Provide 300 parking on Quinnell north of the intersection to be located away from
homes Reinforce riverbank with natural rock and plantings Concrete cable boat launch
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3ROCK INFILTRATIONTRENCH
DRIVING LANE GRAVEL
ALTERNATIVE PLAN -GRAVEL OPTIONAPPROXIMATE COST:$120,000 - $140,000
SOUTH NORTH
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT OUR PLAN
Addresses erosion and water quality issues Protects trout stream: Moves parking away from south side, does not expand
road closer to stream edge, does not remove trees shading stream Provides concrete cable boat launch to prevent ramp erosion Maintains native ecology and rural charm Preserves historic access to the river with scenic narrow road and rustic landing Protects river viewshed in all seasons Requires no tree removal along the road and would protect root system of all
trees in close proximity to the road. (Note all plans will require a few trees removed for the holding pond)
Single lane with passing pull outs and gravel surface will slow traffic, increases safety on low usage road. Allows for emergency vehicles access.
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Parking Does not reduce parking, but does relocate some in accordance with the National Park Service Management Plan (provides ADA spot)
Costs Reduction Much less costly for both capital construction and long-term maintenance
Scale of road and landing encourage the appropriate watercraft canoes, kayaks, small motorized boats
Takes community concerns and desires into account - those who use the Log House Landing do so because of the peaceful natural setting. Bigger modern paved launch sites are less than 2 miles away.
Allows for community participation in the design process
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT OUR PLAN
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CURRENT PLAN
ALTERNATIVE PLAN: PAVED OPTION
ALTERNATIVE PLAN:GRAVEL OPTION
SECTION COMPARISON
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COST COMPARISONLOWER COST BREAKDOWN
COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current City Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Paved Plan $150 - $200K $75 - $100K $37.5 $50K $37.5 $50K Gravel Plan $120 - $140K $60 - $70K $30 - $35K $30 - $35K *Assumes that grant cost goes down proportionally for Log House Landing. However, there may be a way to use additional grant money on Quinnell resurfacing (considered part of the access to the River.)
BEST CASE SCENARIO FULL GRANT FUNDING WITH EXCESS GOING TO QUINNELL REPAIR
COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Plan A - Gravel $120k $200k:
$60 TO LANDING $140K TO QUINNELL
$30K $30k
Plan B - Paved $180K $200k:
$90 TO LANDING $110K TO QUINNELL
$45k $45k
WORST CASE SCENARIO - NO GRANT FUNDING
COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Plan A - Gravel $120k $0 $60k $60k Plan B - Paved $180K $0 $90k $90k
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MAINTENANCEGRAVEL OPTION LESS COSTLY
All City amenities will have some associated maintenance costs parks, museums, etc. $3500 estimated annual cost to include grading and pond clean out. Additional $2000
every 5 years for channel clean out.
The yearly maintenance costs of gravel roads make them appear inefficient, until you consider the capital improvement costs associated with bituminous roads at the middle and end of their lives, which isnt always reflected in yearly maintenance figures. MPR
Over its 40-year lifespan, a low-volume paved road will need to be chip sealed twice, undergo overlay once and then reclaim/overlay. Thats about 3 times what it costs to maintain gravel roads in the county. MPR
Several counties across the country are going back to the Stone Age turning asphalt roads back to gravel, or considering doing so as rising costs outstrip their ability to maintain their pavements. National Association of Counties
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LIABILITY ISSUESSteve Bubul, Municipal Attorney / Legal Consultant
There is no State design standard; just a DNR grant condition The DNR standards are genericnot appropriate for this road DNR provides process for smaller road widths, but not a true legal variance City protected by discretionary immunity in any event Council members have no personal liability
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SECTION COMPARISON
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Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.356, subdivision 2 provides in relevant part:
. . .nor shall any capital improvement be authorized by the municipality . . . until after the planning agency has reviewed the proposed . . . capital improvement and reported in writing to the governing body . . .its findings as to compliance of the proposed . . . improvement with the comprehensive municipal plan.
SCANDIA PLANNING COMMISSION ROLE
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SCANDIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOALS
Establish context-sensitive roadway design standards that will protect the narrow and heavily wooded character of identified low-traffic roadways.
-- Land Use Goal 14.1
Modify street standards to maintain the visual qualities of identified scenic roads, including allowing a narrower right-of-way and protection of vegetation within that right-of-way.
-- Land Use Implementation Strategy 14.1.1
Goals, Policies, and Strategies under Natural Resources - several references to minimizing impervious surfaces and improving and encouraging soil and vegetation for storm water runoff filtration.
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THANK YOU