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I I I City Council Minutes March 28, 1995 Page 5 Council Business. continued Mattila explained that there is an existing water storage area which runs along the property line and a baffle-weir system would he installed so that drainage would funnel down to the existing storage area located south of 3rd St. Benke noted the steep slope and is concerned that the ponding area may erode quickly from the runoff created by the large parking lot. Mattila noted that Proper and the RCWD did not have concern with the drainage/grading plan. Benke noted his sensitivity to the drainage plan because of a very recent drainage issue at another church site located in the City. Ron Austinberg, Minister Northeast Congregation Jehovah Witness, explained that the parking lot would drain into a 12 inch pipe and carry that drainage to the storage area easement. There is a possibility that the church may pursue a connection to an existing private sewer pipe behind the parcel. Their first concern is to get the water away from all the buildings and get any drainage safely to the holding pond. Williams noted the very steep slope. Benke asked if there could be a problem in the southeast corner. Austinberg said their engineer proposes to calculate how much drainage can be taken back to that direction and the remainder would be sent to the other side of the property. Benke noted that one of the conditions of approval is the approval of the grading/drainage plan by the City Engineer. Benke requested the applicant's engineer to apply conservative criterias to the drainage calculations. Austinberg said the drainage could cut kitty corner across the property. Williams verified that the parking lot would be curbed. Austinberg said the church will serve members residing in Columbia Heights, New Brighton, St. Anthony, Fridley and N.E. Mpls. They are expecting about 150 parishioners. They have normal church services and nightly meetings. Fulton asked if they have been kept up to date about the Ramsey County reconstruction of Silver Lake Road. Austinberg said they have been in contact with Ramsey County. Austinberg explained the "quick-build" method to construct their church. The site would be prepared during a three month period. The actual construction is highly organized and would be preformed during a three day weekend. The entire building will be complete at the end of the weekend and the final coat of the exterior will be applied that following weekend. The construction is performed by members and the regional building committee. Benke asked if the landscaping along the Silver Lake Road side has been coordinated with the reconstruction project. Mattila said the City Forester has provided input and is in agreement with the boulevard plantings. The only thing he would replace in the proposed plan is the inclusion of pink spira flowering crab trees along the south property line. Benke noted concern that the trees could be damaged during the street reconstruction process. Mattila will review the timelines with the City Forester. Benke noted that the reconstruction of this portion may not occur until next year and any landscaping should not be placed on future right-of-way areas. Slides were shown of similar Jehovah Witness buildings, and Mattila noted that the proposed church would have windows on the building's sides. Council Business Site Plan Review Jehovah Witness Church Report 95-047