71-01 Woodhill SUB PUD pt 2SITE PLAN REVIEW
of
Wood Hill
A Planned Unit Development
in
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Developer
McKeon Construction
1550 N.W. Highway
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
(312) 29i-7620
Site Plan Review Requested by:
Gerald W. Schlenk
for
Chanhassen Planning Commission
Reviewed by:
Donald C. Berg, District Conservationist
Robert Lueth, Soil Scientist
USDA Soil Conservation Service
City Hall
Waconia, Minnesota
May 24, 1973
In Cooperation With:
Carver Soil and Water Conservation District
T have reviewed the 83.42 acre proposed Planned Unit Development Plan by McKe,
Construction, as submitted to the Carver Soil and Water Conservation District
May 15, 1973. This site is planned for 360 patio homes, 12 apartment buildin
(with 60, one bedroom and 120, two bedroom apartments) and 9 single family hoi
The 83.42 acre property is located in Section 13, Twp. 116N, Range 23W, in th
village of Chanhassen.
The attached Planned Unit Development Plan has been color coded to show soil
ping units and building site limitationss
Green has slight limitations
Yellow has moderate limitations
Red has severe limitations
Blue has very severe limitations.
Solid colors show land slopes, land alteration, soil erosion and sediment haz
limitations. Lined colors show water, wetness, and seepage limitations.
The soil mapping units and major building site limitations found on the prope
are listed below:
Soil
Slope
Building Site
Symbol
Soil Name
Range
Limitations Map Co
HaB
Hayden loam
2
to
6 %
Slight land alteration-
Green
and soil erosion
LaB
Lester loam
2
to
6 %,
Slight land alteration
Green
and soil erosion
HaC
Hayden loam
6
to
12%
Moderate land altera-
Yelloi
tion and soil erosion
HaC2
Hayden loam
6
to
12%$
Moderate land altera-
Yelloi
eroded
tion and soil erosion
LsB
LeSueur clay loam
2
to
6 %
Moderate wetness
Yellol
HaD
Hayden loam
12
to
18%
Severe land alteration
Red
and soil erosion
Ca
Canisteo silty clay loam
0
to
2 %
Severe wetness
Red L.
Cw
Cordova and Webster silty
0
to
2 %
Severe wetness
ed I -
clay loams
Ge
Glencoe silty clay loam
0
to
2%
Severe wetness
Red L
TeB
Terril loam
0
to
6 %
Severe wetness
Red 1:
HaE
Hayden loam
18
to
257.
Very severe land alter-
Blue
ation and soil erosion
HaE2
Hayden loam
18
to
25%0
Very severe land alter-
Blue
eroded
ation and soil erosion
HaF
Hayden loam
25
to
401/.
Very severe land alter-
Blue
ation and soil erosion
Sk
Sandy lake beaches
0
to
2 %
Very severe wetness
Blue .
The following is a short description of the soils found on the property and t
limitations for building sites, foundations for low buildings, and streets or
cost roads.
HaB, HaC, HaC2, HaD, HaE. HaE2, HaF
The Hayden soils are moderately permeable, loamy soils, over glacial till. T]
occupy irregular gently sloping hilltops to strongly sloping hills. The Haydi
soils tend to become more impermeable to water with depth; therefore, water ti
to seep away slowly on the more level areas. Seepage spots may occur in place
the more steeply sloping HaD, HaE, and HaF areas.
The major building site limitation is slight landscape alteration and erosion
sediment hazard on the B slopes (2 to 6%), moderate landscape alteration and E
and sediment hazard on the C slopes (6 to 12%), severe landscape alteration az
sion and sediment hazard on the D slopes (12 to 18%), and very severe- landscal
teration and erosion and sediment hazard on the E (18 to 25%) and F (25 to 4M
slopes. In many Hayden areas, the soil density increases and the permeabilitl
creases with depth, and basement seepage can be a common problem.
When used as foundations for low buildings, they have a moderate limitation: n
shear strength, moderate shrink -swell potential, medium compressibility, medic
bearing values, and basement seepage can be a common problem.
When used for streets and low-cost roads, they have a moderate shrink -swell pc
moderate susceptibility to frost action, moderately fine textured subsoil, anc
found on gently sloping to steep topography. The road maintenance problems ir,
as the slope increases, especially from erosion and seepage.
L aB
The Lester soils are well drained loamy soils. The loamy glacial till is coma
many feet thick. They occupy 3 to 20 acre irregular, gently sloping hilltops
knolls and smooth sloping to steep side slopes.
The major building site limitation is slight landscape alteration and erosion
sediment hazard on the B slopes (2 to 6%).
When used as foundations for low buildings, the limitation is moderate: mediu
shear strength, moderate shrink -swell potential, medium bearing values, medium
compressibility.
When used as streets and low-cost roads, they have a moderate shrink -swell pot
moderately fine textured subsoil, moderate susceptibility to frost action, gent
sloping to steep topography.
L sB
LeSueur clay foams are moderately well to somewhat poorly drained loamy sails
heavy loam or light clay loam glacial till.
The building site limitation is wetness with the seasonal water table at 3 to
for short periods.
When used as foundations for low buildings, they have moderate limitations; I
shear strength, moderate shrink -swell potential, medium compressibility, medil
ing values and possible high seasonal water table.
When used for streets and low-cost roads, they have a moderate shrink. -Swell p+
teal, moderately fine textured subsoil, and moderate susceptibility to frost ;
Cw
Cordova and Webster silty clay loamy are poorly drained loamy soils, commonly
feet thick, having dark colored surface layers.
The major building site limitation is wetness. The Cordova and Webster soils
poorly drained and have a high seasonal water table at I to 3 feet.
When used as foundations for low buildings, they have a severe limitation: h:
seasonal dater table, medium shear strength and bearing values, moderate to h:
shrink -swell potential, and medium compressibility.
When used for streets and low-cost roads, they have a high seasonal grater tal
high susceptibility to frost action$ moderate to high shrink -swell potential,
a moderately fine textured subsoil.
Ge
Glencoe silty clay loamy are very poorly drained clay loam and silty clay loan
soils, commonly many feet thick. They occupy I to 5 acre depressions and 5 tc
40 acre long, winding. low gradient drainageways.
The major building site limitation is wetness. The Clencee soil is very poor:
drainae and has a high seasonal water table that ranges from near the surface
a depth of 3 feet.
When eased as foundations for low buildings, they have a severe limitation: hi
water.table, medium to low shear strength and bearing values, moderates shrink
potential, and a medium compressibility.
When used for streets and lows -cost roads, they have a high seasonal water tab]
are occasionally ponded, and have a high susceptibility to frost action, modei
shrink -swell potential, and a moderately fine texture.
TeB
Terril is mellow, loamy, soils that are dark colored to the 2 to 4 foot depth
underlying material is grayish brown or gray loam containing limestone and sh4
fragments. Stones and boulders are common, The high seasonal water table is
to 5 foot depth. These soils commonly occur at the base of steep slopes.
The major building site limitation is wetness with the water table at 3 to 8 J
for short per•i.ods during the season.
When used as foundations for low buildings, they have a moderate limitation:
shear strength, moderate shrink -swell potential, !tedium compressibility, medic
ing values, possible high season water table.
When used for streets and low -cast roads, they have a moderate shrink -swell p(
medium textured soil, high susceptibility to frost action, possible high seas(
• water table and sidehill seepage.
Sk
Sandy lake beaches are poorly drained sandy materials, commonly about 3 to 5 9
thick over loamy materials. Lake beaches are formed by wave and ice action a:
the edges of lake shores and former lake shores and larger peat bogs. --
The major building site limitation is variable flood hazard, depending upon tl
levels and variable wetness, depending upon whether adjacent to lakes or drair
areas.
When used as foundations for low buildings, they have a severe limitation bees
of the high seasonal water table unless artificially drained and soil material
varies within short lateral distance.
When used for streets and low-cost roads, they have a high seasonal water tab]
low susceptibility to frost action,, low shrink -swell potential in the.upper 3
5 feet__and are sandy in the upper 3 to 5 feet.
For additional soils information$ see "Soil Survey - Carver County, Minnesota"
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service,, November ]
The soil investigations, mapping and interpretations ordinarily apply to the t
5 to 6 feet of soil, material. There should be additional onsite investigatior
sating directly to the proposed uses before construction is started.
The following conservation practices should be used by the developer to help
the owner and the village the successful and relatively problem free developmE
this property.
Prepare a conservation plan as an integral part of the site plan that will con
soil erosion and keep debris and sediment on the site. This is especially imp
tant because the drainage water from this site runs directly into Rice Marsh L
Surface water runoff and erosion and sediment control during construction wit
a severe problem on the steep (HaD - 12 to 18%, HaE - 18 to 25%, and HaF - 25
slopes. A comprehensive drainage plan, including erosion control practices,
temporary and permanent, will be needed. Erosion control practices would app
especially to protecting the property along the large gully running North and
through the development area. Increased water runoff from building and paved
would add to the problem of maintaining stability of the side slopes, edges,
bottom of the gully. Grade stabilization practices may be needed to keep the
bottom stable and control areas where water enters the gully.
The patio homes proposed in the red colored HaD (12 to 18% slope) and blue co
HaE (18 to 25% slope) areas would require a great deal of grading and_landsca
alteration, and these areas would be exposed to erosion until grass and veget
is re-established and retaining walls may be needed. The road grades and cut
these areas Would be severe and maintenance would be a continuing problem.
When the patio home sites are regraded, temporary sediment and debris `basins
be constructed near the lower reaches of drainage ways. Temporary terraces o,
diversions may be needed to direct the runoff water from the sloping areas in
sediment and debris basins.
Top soil should be stockpiled, protected with an anchored straw mulch$ and use
later on areas to be stabilized by permanent vegetation.
Exposed and eroding areas should be established in temporary vegetation if no
built on within 30 days. This seeding should be done immediately following ri
grading.
The LeSueur (LsB) , Cordova Webster (Cw) , Glencoe (Ge) , Canisteo (Ca)., Terril {
and S Wy beach material (Sk) have a high seasonal water table. A drainage p:
should -show the sub -surface drainage and/or sump pumps and footing drains that
be used to keep the seasonal water table below basement floor levels. in add:
the method ofbasement waterproofing should be stated.
Permanent vegetation should be established immediately upon completion of fin4
graving on all areas where this is applicable.
Complete paving of all designated areas as quickly as possible.
Attachedt Development Plan T'ith Soil Mapping Units Colored to Show Building
Limitations and Color Key
v
4I have reviewed the 83.42 proposed planned unit development by McKeon
Construction as submitted to the Carver Soil and Water Conservation Dist
on August , 1973.
The 83.42 acre property is located in Section 13, Twp 116N, Range 23'
in the Village of Chanhassen.
I refer the council to the color coded soils map and site review plat
prepared for the Chanhassen Plannilg Commission for Building Site Limitat
Ratings and descriptions of the soils.} Some questions remain on this pl:
f The major objection the Soil and Water Conservation District has to
plan is the high amount of grading that will apparently take place when
property is developed. This is particularly true on the south end of thl
property (blue and red areas on the map). Cuts of 15 to 30 feet or more
could well take place on these slopes to grade these soil areas to a grw
gentle enough to accommodate the road and patio homes planned.
Secondly, how will the erosion and sediment be controlled. Removing
vegetation on large areas at one time can cURse erosion with the sedimen-
lakeshore, also the ravine which courses diagonally across the property
develop into an active gully if sot storm water is not disposed of careft
In addition, many of the dwellings appear to be planned to site very
the bank of the ravine. Buildings should be kept a safe distance away fi
the ravine to prevent reactivation of the gully. Storm water and roof di
will have to be carefully disposed of.
I would expect that the developer has submitted a (1) grading plan sc
a clear picture can be gotten as to the depth of cuts and fills to be mac
(2) a plan to dispose of storm water - simply outletting storm water int(
ravine can cause reactivation of the erosion process; (3) a plan to cont)
erosion to prevent sediment from being deposited on park and open space i
particularly at the lower end of the ravine.
4 We would suggest eliminating patio homes on the red and blue soil areas.
homes are on steep slopes where deep cuts and fills will be required to
the land. The red areas (12-18% slope on the map) might be developed fo
terraced housing or other building designs. This soil area can provide
architects with a challenge to design and fit buildings to the natural s
The upper end of the ravine (HaF), blue on the map, indicates buildings
planned for this area. While this can be done the ravine head will need
be stabilized.
One final statement. The developers comment that groundwater condit
are favorable�is not quite true. While the green, yellow, red and blue
soil areas (see map) are reasonably dry, soils seepage spots and temporal
wetness may occur for a week or so during wet weather. The cross -hatcher
soils►'ha e a seasonal watertable that is present only during wet seasons
All basements should be waterproofed and footer drains placed around foul
ations to prevent basement seepage.
o L F th 5
io" r 4 e