The applicant (Lennar) submitted a complete Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) application for a replacement plan for the Arbor Bluff development. The site is located on approximately 81 acres south of Valley View Road in the west central part of Shakopee. The project intends to construct 196 single-family lots and associated public roads, utilities, site amenities, and stormwater ponding.

The project proposes 5,767 sq ft (0.1324 ac) of permanent impact to 1 wetland for construction of the project. The applicant evaluated alternatives that would have avoided impacts to wetlands, but these alternatives were not feasible given requirements for roadway design and the constraints caused by the topography of the site. The wetlands that remain on site following construction will retain hydrology and will be protected with upland buffers per City of Shakopee ordinance.

The application was noticed to the WCA Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) on March 27, 2024. The TEP is advisory in nature and makes technical findings and recommendations. TEP members include representatives from the City, Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Comments were allowed until April 26, 2024. The TEP met April 12, 2024 to review the project and proposed wetland impacts. The TEP requested additional information related to a roadway layout that would avoid the wetland and the future of the extension of the roadway onto an adjacent parcel to the south. The applicant provided a response memo that responded to the comments. The TEP reviewed and ultimately agreed with the proposed project and associated impacts.

Lennar will replace wetland impacts at a 2:1 ratio by purchasing credits from an approved wetland bank within Scott County, which meets the replacement plan siting requirements of WCA. The total amount of wetland replacement provided will be 11,534 square feet (approximately 0.2647 acres).

On behalf of the City of Shakopee, Local Government Unit for the Wetland Conservation Act, I recommend that the City Council approves the wetland replacement plan for the Arbor Bluff development. As a condition of approval, the applicant will be required to provide verification of wetland credit purchase from the Board of Water and Soil Resources. A Notice of Decision is attached for review.