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Mr. O'Malley advised that while the Commission does not evaluate the engineering aspects of a <br />proposed stormwater system, it should evaluate how the system impacts the site and landscape plan. <br />Mr. Harkless, the project engineer, and Mr. Hefling with Pacific Bells were present to address the <br />Commission. Mr. Harkless advised that it is their intent to follow North Olmsted's stormwater <br />requirements and will do so with the new proposed dry detention system. The existing system is an <br />underground system. If this system is continued to be used based on current codes requiring higher <br />standards, the existing system would have to be doubled in size. Therefore there would be a 15 to 20 <br />foot area along the rear of the site just past the pavement which nothing could be planted but grass due <br />to the additional pipes being added underground. They believe that the proposed dry detention is a more <br />aesthetically pleasing plan. It was their impression that both the underground or above dry detention <br />systems were acceptable to the city therefore that is how they proceeded. <br />A photo of a sample dry detention basin installed in Columbus was presented to the commissioners to <br />give them an idea of what the system would look like installed. Mr. Harkless said the depth of the basin <br />would be 4 to 5 feet deep and would be easier to clean and maintain then an underground system. For <br />property smaller than one acre EPA does not regulate the land. However there will be 3 to 4 inches of <br />gravel along the bottom to help alleviate sediment buildup and more plants added then what was <br />scheduled for on the originally approved plans. <br />Mr. Yager asked if the original underground system would be maintained or removed. Mr. Harkless <br />said the current detention system would be removed. Mr. Yager said that the proposed dry detention <br />system was too large for the site however he felt that a smaller dry detention basin in combination with <br />the existing underground system could be more aesthetically pleasing then what was first approved. <br />Mr. Malone felt that the dry detention basin would damage or kill the existing trees which were to <br />remain as well as those on the abutting property possibly. Mr. Bohlmann questioned where the water <br />would go if the detention basin overflowed and was concerned it would be into the neighbor's yard. Mr. <br />Malone felt that there were other systems which could be used besides a dry basin as proposed. Mr. <br />Harkless believes that the ash and maple trees are in the neighbor's yard and would not be affected. Mr. <br />Malone reviewed that the plan submitted showed that the slope would start less than 10 feet off the rear <br />property line and the roots of the existing trees extend outward quite a bit and would be damaged by the <br />construction. Mr. Harkless advised that either way the underground system would adversely affect <br />existing trees as the pipes would have to be placed 5 feet underground as well and there could be no <br />landscaping in the 15 to 20 foot area. Mr. Malone was not in favor of the above ground detention <br />system being used on the lot as proposed. <br />Mr. O'Malley advised the applicant that they were not at liberty to alter any landscaping plans which <br />had been previously approved even if their request is denied and they have to install an underground <br />system. Therefore the suggestion that being required to install an underground system would still kill <br />the existing trees and erase the previously approved landscape plan is inaccurate as they are not at <br />liberty to make changes. <br />Mr. Bohlmann questioned where the underground systems pipes would be located on the site. Mr. <br />Harkless advised that they would continue to have the underground system in the rear of the site as the <br />pipes could not be placed under the parking lot. Mr. Bohlmann advised that there was nothing in the <br />city's codes which would prohibit the underground system from being placed under the parking lot. He <br />also felt that a dry detention system would become a collecting ground for debris. Councilman <br />2