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Joint Wetland Exemption Signed_20250718 13605 1st Avenue North #100, Plymouth, MN 55441 P 763.412.4000 F 763.412.4090 ae-mn.com DE MINIMIS EXEMPTION APPLICATION L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PID: 250082800 CHANHASSEN, CARVER COUNTY, MINNESOTA JULY 18, 2025 AE JOB NO. 18506 Joint Application Form for Activities Affecting Water Resources in Minnesota PART ONE: Applicant Information If applicant is an entity (company, government entity, partnership, etc.), an authorized contact person must be identified. If the applicant is using an agent (consultant, lawyer, or other third party) and has authorized them to act on their behalf , the agent’s contact information must also be provided. Applicant/Landowner Name: Greg Jurvakainen, L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS Mailing Address: 5500 Lincoln Drive Suite 180, Edina MN, 55436 Phone: (952) 935-8482 E-mail Address: greg@lcramer.com Agent Name: Ben Hodapp, Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC Mailing Address: 13605 1st Ave. N., #100 Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone: (763) 412-4000 E-mail Address: bhodapp@ae-mn.com PART TWO: Site Location Information County: Carver City/Township: Chanhassen Parcel ID and/or Address: PID: 250082800 Legal Description (Section, Township, Range): S 23, Twp 116N, Range 23W Lat/Long (decimal degrees): 44.87094, -93.62078 Attach a map showing the location of the site in relation to local streets, roads, highways. Approximate size of site (acres) or if a linear project, length (feet): 4.89-Ac If you know that your proposal will require an individual Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, you must provide the names and addresses of all property owners adjacent to the project site. This information may be provided by attaching a list to your application or by using block 25 of the Application for Department of the Army permit which can be obtained at: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Portals/57/docs/regulatory/RegulatoryDocs/engform_4345_2012oct.pdf PART THREE: General Project/Site Information If this application is related to a delineation approval, exemption determination, jurisdictional determination, or other correspondence submitted prior to this application then describe that here and provide the Corps of Engineers project number. Agency Coordination: July 8, 2025 City of Chanhassen Issued WCA NOA for Wetland Delineation – Decision Pending L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS – 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY: DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION Describe the project that is being proposed, the project purpose and need, and schedule for implementation and completion. The project description must fully describe the nature and scope of the proposed activity including a description of all project elements that effect aquatic resources (wetland, lake, tributary, etc.) and must also include plans and cross section or profile drawings showing the location, character, and dimensions of all proposed activities and aquatic resource impacts. PROJECT BACKGROUND A wetland delineation was conducted by Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC. on June 9, 2025 located at PID: 250082800 in the City of Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota. One wetland was identified and delineated on the 4.9-acre parcel. A complete delineation report and WCA application were submitted to the City of Chanhassen on June 23, 2025. The wetland boundary/type Joint Application is currently being reviewed to be approved by City of Chanhassen. A copy of the WCA NOA was issued on July 8, 2025, and is included in Appendix B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION L. Cramer Builders and Remodelers is constructing a single-family residential home with a driveway that creates access for the subject property to Minnewashta Parkway along the property border to the north. The existing driveway along the southern property border encroaches on the adjacent parcel s to the south (PIDs: 253800010 & 25380020) and does not meet side yard setbacks specified in the City of Chanhassen Municipal Code Sec. 20-1122 Access and Driveways. Additionally, the current driveway was constructed with improper fill materials (improper/poor soils) and the construction of the driveway itself does not meet driveway design standards. The current driveway construction is not conducive to a long -term, functional driveway. The project proposes to construct a new driveway consistent with the City of Chanhassen Municipal Codes and modern design standards. The alignment of the proposed driveway is located along the north side of the subject parcel and will introduce mi nor wetland impact to Resource 1 (80-sf). After removing the existing driveway, the project will restore the grade along the south property line. Drainage flow will be maintained along the south property line at an elevation of 955.2 feet. RESOURCE 1: DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT As depicted in Figure 5. in Appendix B. (WCA NOA), Resource 1 is located on the western side of the subject parcel in between the current driveway to the south, and the proposed driveway to the north. The applicant is proposing to construct a driveway that would permanently impact 80 square feet of Type 2 Fresh Wet Meadow. The wetland was delineated as a Type 2, PEM1B, Fresh Wet Meadow. The vegetation within the wetland was dominated by meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). PURPOSE AND NEED The purpose of this project is to construct a driveway that serves a new principle residential structure on the subject prope rty and complies with standard specifications and city codes (City of Chanhassen MC Sec. 20-1122) in the City of Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota. This project is needed to provide access to the new residential structure, address design deficiencies and non-conformity with city codes in the existing driveway, and to construct a new driveway that meets safety requirements, engineering design standards, and the City of Chanhassen’s side yard setback regulations. MITIGATION ANALYSIS OF AQUATIC RESOURCES DELINEATED The following delineated wetland resources (located in Part Four) are assumed to be impacted utilizing the De Minimis exempti on in WCA (WCA Exemptions – 8420.0420). Mitigation will not be required as the impacts do not exceed the De Minimis exemption amounts specified in MS 103G.2241 for a Type 2 wetland within a shoreland protection zone in the less than 50% remaining wetlands area (100-sf). This project is assumed to be non-reporting under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. It is anticipated to qualify for a Nationwide Permit (NWP) available for use in Minnesota and Wisconsin —either NWP 18 (Minor Discharges) or NWP 29 (Residential Development). Based on the total proposed wetland impact of 80 square feet, the project is considered non -reporting, as the impact is below the 0.10-acre threshold that would otherwise require pre -construction notification to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS – 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY: DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION OTHER RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC initiated a review of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) List and confirmed the presence of 3 Historic Properties eligible for the NRHP List within 0.5-miles of the project area: • Faith Lutheran Church CR-VTC-00042 Eligible for NRHP • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum CR-XXX-00001 Eligible for NRHP • University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm CR-CHC-00033 Eligible for NRHP Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC initiated a review of the MnDNR Natural Heritage Review database. D ue to the limited nature of the project, it has been determined that the project will is not anticipated to affect Historical Properties. Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC initiated a review of the US Fish and Wildlife Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool for the project area. The following determinations were made for federally threatened and endangered species that may occur within the project area. • Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Proposed Threatened No effect • Salamander Mussel (Simposonaias ambigua) Proposed Endangered No effect • Whooping Crane (Grus americana) Experimental Population No effect • Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) Endangered No effect • Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) Endangered No effect • Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) Proposed Endangered No effect Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC generated a MnDNR Conservation Planning Report. There were no MBS Sites of Biodiversity Significance (330 feet), DNR Native Plant Communities (330 feet), DNR Old Growth Stands (330 feet), MN Prairie Conservation Plan (330 feet), or Important Bird Areas (1 mile) features found within their respective search areas. The MnDNR Conservation Planning Report identified a Calcareous Fen within 5 miles of the project area: The project is not anticipated to affect the Calcareous Fen. The MnDNR Conservation Planning Report Identified a Lake of Biological Significance within 330 feet of the project parcel: The project is not anticipated to affect Lake Minnewashta. Anderson Engineering of MN, LLC. generated a MnDNR Natural Heritage Review and concluded that the project is not anticipated to affect ecologically significant areas, state-listed species of special concern, or federally listed species. No tree clearing is required for this project. L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS – 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY: DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION Attachment B Supporting Information for Applications Involving Exemptions, No Loss Determinations, and Activities Not Requiring Mitigation Complete this part if you maintain that the identified aquatic resource impacts in Part Four do not require wetland replacement/compensatory mitigation OR if you are seeking verification that the proposed water resource impacts are either exempt from replacement or are not under CWA/WCA jurisdiction. Identify the specific exemption or no-loss provision for which you believe your project or site qualifies: Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) WCA Exemptions – 8420.0420 ☒ De minimis. The proposed impacts are below the applicable de minimis threshold. (Consult the LGU as needed.) This exemption is limited to one wetland basin per project. – Wetland impact under the de minimis: 80-sf Provide a detailed explanation of how your project or site qualifies for the above. Be specific and provide and refer to attachments and exhibits that support your contention. Applicants should refer to rules (e.g. WCA rules), guidance documents (e.g. BWSR guidance, Corps guidance letters/public notices), and permit conditions (e.g. Corps General Permit conditions) to determine the necessary information to support the application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the WCA LGU and Corps Project Manager prior to submitting an application if they are unsure of what type of information to provide : Per MS 103G.2241 (Aug. 1, 2024) The project is located in the <50% pre-settlement area of MN, within a shoreland setback zone. The de minimis exemption amount for one wetland on the subject property is 100 -sf. Impacts to Resource 1 total 80-sf and therefore do not exceed the threshold set by MN Statute 8420.0420 (WCA Exemptions: De minimis). L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS – 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY: DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION Attachment C Avoidance and Minimization Project Purpose, Need, and Requirements. Clearly state the purpose of your project and need for your project. Also include a description of any specific requirements of the project as they relate to project location, project footprint, water management, and any other applicable requirements. Attach an overhead plan sheet showing all relevant features of the project (buildings, roads, etc.), aquatic resource features (impact areas noted) and construction details (grading plans, storm water management plans, etc.), referencing these as necessary: PURPOSE, NEED & REQUIREMENTS The purpose of this project is to construct a driveway that serves a new principle residential structure on the subject property and complies with standard specifications and city codes (City of Chanhassen MC Sec. 20-1122) in the City of Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota. This project is needed to provide access to the new residential structure, address design deficiencies and non-conformity with city codes in the existing driveway, and to construct a new driveway that meets safety requirements, engineering design standards, and the City of Chanhassen’s side yard setback regulations. Avoidance. Both the CWA and the WCA require that impacts to aquatic resources be avoided if practicable alternatives exist. Clearly describe all on-site measures considered to avoid impacts to aquatic resources and d iscuss at least two project alternatives that avoid all impacts to aquatic resources on the site. These alternatives may include alternative site plans, alternate sites, and/or not doing the project. Alternatives should be feasible and prudent (see MN Rules 8420.0520 Subp. 2 C). Applicants are encouraged to attach drawings and plans to support their analysis: AVOIDANCE OPTION 1: NO-BUILD The No Build Alternative involves retaining the existing infrastructure without implementing any improvements to address the purpose, needs, and regulatory requirements of the L. Cramer Builders and Remodelers – 7380 Minnewashta Pkwy: Driveway Construction Project. Under the No Build Alternative, the existing non -conforming driveway would remain in use. While this option would avoid all wetland impacts, it would fail to fulfill the project’s purpose and need. Therefore, this alternative was eliminated from further consideration. AVOIDANCE OPTION 2: MAINTAIN CURRENT DRIVEWAY IN -PLACE This alternative would involve routine maintenance of the existing driveway, such as grading, resurfacing, and other minor repairs, without altering its overall alignment, dimensions, or structural design. While this approach may provide short -term functional improvements, it would not address the underlying design deficiencies or bring the drivewa y into compliance with City of Chanhassen codes and standards (City of Chanhassen MC Sec. 20-1122). As a result, this alternative would not satisfy the project’s purpose and need. Although it would avoid wetland impacts, the alternative was deemed inadequate and was therefore rejected from further consideration. ALTERNATIVE REJECTED DURING PLANNING PHASE: RECONSTRUCT DRIVEWAY IN -PLACE This alternative would involve the deconstruction and reconstruction of the existing south driveway to address underlying structural and design deficiencies as well as alter its overall alignment and dimensions to comply with the city code and design standards. While this approach may provide long-term functional improvements, it would result in a significantly larger wetland impact quantity to Resource 1 than the preferred alternative and was therefore rejected from further consideration. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: DECONSTRUCT CURRENT DRIVEWAY & CONSTRUCT NEW DRIVEWAY The Preferred Alternative involves the full removal of the existing, non-conforming driveway along the southern property boundary and the construction of a new, code -compliant driveway along the northern boundary of the subject parcel. The proposed alternative includes the restoration of the existing grade to ensure proper drainage from south to north along a 955 .2 elevation contour. A new driveway is proposed to be constructed along the northern edge of the property, consistent with the City of Chanhassen’s municipal codes, engineering standards, a nd safety requirements (City of Chanhassen MC Sec. 20-1122). While this alternative introduces minor wetland impacts to Resource 1 (80-sf), it is the only option that meets the project’s purpose and need—constructing a functional, safe, and legally compliant driveway. For these reasons, this alternative has been selected as the preferred option. L. CRAMER BUILDERS AND REMODELERS – 7380 MINNEWASHTA PKWY: DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION Minimization. Both the CWA and the WCA require that all unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources be minimized to the greatest extent practicable. Discuss all features of the proposed project that have been modified to minimize the impacts to water resources (see MN Rules 8420.0520 Subp. 4): ☒ Use of retaining walls rather than gradual slopes ☒ Lower vertical profiles ☒ Steeper backslopes ☒ No shoulders ☒ Minimum driveway width ☒ Ensured that the location or design does not significantly reduce the contributing watershed of a wetland, resulting in changes to the hydrologic regime ☒ Minimized construction staging within aquatic resources Off-Site Alternatives. An off-site alternatives analysis is not required for all permit applications. If you know that your proposal will require an individual permit (standard permit or letter of permission) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, you may be required to provide an off-site alternatives analysis. The alternatives analysis is not required for a complete application but must be provided during the review process in order for the Corps to complete the evaluation of your application and reach a final decision. Applicants with questions about when an off-site alternatives analysis is required should contact their Corps Project Manager. Not Applicable Appendix A FIGURES SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENTPLAN UPDATEChanhassen, MNWETLAND INVENTORYFigure12Project NumberACHANH0409.00Source: Metropolitan Council, Chanhassen, MnDNR, SEHMap Document: (S:\AE\C\Chanh\040900\GIS\ACHANH040900\SWMPFigures\Fig12_WetlandInventory.mxd)8/14/2006 -- 2:36:03 PMOPrinting Date: August 14, 2006Projection Information: Name: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 15N Datum: North American 1983Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. SEH®ChanhassenChanhassenHAZELTINE BLVDGALPIN BLVDPOWERS BLVDFLYING CLOUD DRHWY212HWY 212LYMAN BLVDW 78TH STHWY 7PIONEER TRLSTATE HWY 5LakeSt.JoeLake HarrisonRiceLakeLakeRileyRiceMarshLakeLakeSusanLakeMinnewashtaLakeLucyLakeAnnLotus LakeChristmasLakeLegendMunicipal BoundariesDrainage Area BoundariesTrout StreamStreamsLakesMCWD WetlandsWetland Management ClassPreserveManage 1Manage 2Manage 3Chanhassen WetlandsWetland Management ClassPreserveManage 1Manage 2Manage 3No Classification Appendix B WCA NOTICE OF APPLICATION BWSR NOA Form – September 3, 2024 1 Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Notice of Application Local Government Unit: Chanhassen County: Carver Applicant Name: L. Cramer Builders and Remodelers, Greg Jurvakainen Applicant Representative: Anderson Engineering of MN LLC, Ben Hodapp Project Name: L. Cramer Builders- 7380 Minnewashta Pkwy LGU Project No. (if any): 2025-009;025433 Date Complete Application Received by LGU: 6.23.2025 Date this Notice was sent: 7.8.2025 Date that Comments on this Application Must Be Received By LGU¹: 7.29.2025 ¹minimum 15 business day comment period for Boundary & Type, Sequencing, Replacement Plan and Bank Plan Applications WCA Decision Type - check all that apply ☒ Wetland Boundary/Type ☐ Sequencing ☐ Replacement Plan ☐ Bank Plan (not credit purchase) ☐ Exemption ☐ No-Loss (8420.0415) MN Rules 8420.0420 Part: ☐ A ☐ B ☐ C ☐ D ☐ E ☐ F ☐ G ☐ H Subpart: ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐ 7 ☐ 9 MN Statutes 103G.2241 Subdivision: : ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 6 ☐ 9 Replacement Plan Impacts (replacement plan decisions only) Total WCA Impact Area Proposed: Application Materials ☐ Attached ☐ Other1 (specify): 1 Link to ftp or other accessible file sharing sites is acceptable. Comments on this application should be sent to: LGU Contact Person: Joe Seidl E-Mail Address: jseidl@chanhassenmn.gov Address and Phone Number: 7700 Market Blvd, PO Box 147, Chanhassen MN 55371 952-227-1118 Decision-Maker for this Application: ☒ Staff ☐ Governing Board/Council ☐ Other (specify): Notice Distribution (include name) Required on all notices: ☒ SWCD TEP Member: Tyler Polster ☒ BWSR TEP Member: Alyssa Core ☐ LGU TEP Member (if different than LGU contact): ☒ DNR Representative: Taylor Huinker ☒ Watershed District or Watershed Mgmt. Org.: MCWD, Veronica Sannes ☒ Applicant (notice only): Greg Jurvakainen, L. Cramer Builders and Remodelers ☒ Agent/Consultant (notice only): Ben Hodapp, Anderson Engineering of MN LLC Optional or As Applicable: ☐ Corps of Engineers: ☐ BWSR Wetland Mitigation Coordinator (required for bank plan applications only): ☐ Members of the Public (notice only): ☐ Other: BWSR NOA Form – September 3, 2024 2 Signature: On behalf of the City of Chanhassen Date: 7.8.2025 This notice and accompanying application materials may be sent electronically or by mail. The LGU may opt to send a summary of the application to members of the public upon request per 8420.0255, Subp. 3.