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Commission backs conditional-use permit for grading changes at Butler Falls Road lot
Summary
Planning staff recommended and the commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit to allow grading and fill for a slab-on-grade home at 112 Butler Falls Road, citing Mankato City Code section 10-14-98 and requiring wetland signage, a 16.5-foot wetland buffer and geotechnical analysis.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit allowing grading modifications at 112 Butler Falls Road after staff said the proposed slab-on-grade home would move more than 25 cubic yards of material and therefore requires the permit under Mankato City Code.
Ben Hansen, presenting for the city, told commissioners that the originally approved subdivision grading planned for a walkout structure and that the proposed slab-on-grade dwelling requires substantial modifications to the lot grading and drainage. "Mankato City code section 10 dash 14 98... requires that a conditional use permit be obtained where excavation, grading, and filling of land... would result in the movement of earth and materials in excess of 25 cubic yards," Hansen said.
Staff identified environmental constraints on the lot including slopes, bluffs and a wetland with a required 16.5-foot wetland buffer. Recommended conditions included permanent wetland signage before work begins, keeping work outside the wetland buffer, an erosion-control and turf-establishment plan with building permit submittal, and coordination with city engineering staff. Staff also noted the applicant had provided signed access approval from an adjacent property owner and had requested additional geotechnical review from Braun Intertech.
Applicant representative Gary Rudolph said geotechnical borings were scheduled to determine how much fill would be required and that precautions — including use of engineered foundation solutions if necessary — would be taken to avoid impacts on neighbors. "Tomorrow morning at 09:00, we are going to be boring the soils in the backyard to determine their bearing capacity," Rudolph said.
One commissioner said the item felt like a landowner issue and questioned whether the commission should grant a permit when other sites were available; staff replied that the threshold and potential drainage impacts, rather than owner preference, determine the need for review. After discussion, a motion to recommend approval passed on roll call and the commission set the item for anticipated council action on June 8.
The record notes the commission’s approval carries the staff-recommended conditions; the geotechnical report requested will be provided to the city engineer when complete.
