HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-12Falcon Heights Environment Commission
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2012
Present: Diane Ross, Brian Goodspeed, Rebecca Montgomery, Nina Semmelroth, Mayor Peter
Lindstrom, Deb Jones (Staff).
Absent: Ethan Wagner, Stan Sveen
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairs a few minutes after 6:30 p.m. The February
and March minutes were approved with corrections.
2. Prairie Gardens. Provided with several sample ordinances and supporting literature,
Commissioners engaged in a lengthy discussion of multiple aspects of allowing and
regulating natural landscaping features, such as prairie gardens. During the discussion the
following items of consensus emerged:
Commissioners did not favor the approach of requiring permits in advance for prairie
gardens.
Commissioners did not favor requiring setbacks that would limit the ability of owners
of small lots to have a prairie garden
Commissioners favored allowing prairie gardens to extend even into the right-of-way
boulevards, provided clear visibility was maintained for vehicles and pedestrians.
They favored a setback from the curb of ten feet.
Commissioners did favor measures that would require property owners to provide
signage while establishing a prairie garden and detailed plans if maintenance issues
arise (i.e. as part of code enforcement measures)
Commissioners settled on the Minnetonka landscaping ordinance as best representing their
thoughts on a model to recommend to the City Council. Commissioners went through the
text of the Minnetonka ordinance making a number of changes to adapt the language to
Falcon Heights.
Commissioners voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the Minnetonka version
with their modifications.
3. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.