01-14-2004 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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M TO: Little Canada City Council FROM: Cliff Aichinger, Administrator Ramsey- Washington Metro Watershed District SUBJECT: Responses to Little Canada Concerns Regarding Noel Drive Property. DATE: January 8, 2004 Our comments are listed under each of the questions posed by Council Member Matt Anderson. The items listed are potential project features, but will have to be reviewed against Board preference, design issues, neighborhood concerns, and budget constraints. "I understand that he doesn't want to design the building at this stage, but I would like him to articulate what features he would expect the building to have (e.g., grass roof solar panels, etc): All features are purely speculative at this time, however, a list of possible features are included below: • Building construction materials would comply with City code requirements, but would be designed to fit with the surrounding environment and colors. • The building would be designed to include indoor warehouse storage. The only items left outside would include the District boat in summer months and the District vehicles. • Diverse landscaping that blends with the surrounding properties, including no -mow fescue where turf is needed. • Modular green roof components (this would be dependent on cost). • Porous pavement sidewalks, driveways • Parking lot with infiltration islands or adjacent rain gardens. • Rain gutters and storm water cistern for water conservation • Weather station operated by volunteers, students, or staff and interpretive signage on water cycle. • Visitor Center (Volunteer- staffed) Plant ID display, Buffer Display, Lakeshore Restoration Display and computer works station with CD -ROM for landscaping planning. Computer kiosk, Project Display, literature rack, reference library, herbarium and library video viewing area, meeting room for watershed advisory and interest group meetings. "I guess to put it a different way, I would like him to be able to explain how the Watershed's development and use of the site would be qualitatively different than using the property as open space and how it would be used to improve environmental conditions." • We would enhance surrounding open space with value -added public education interpretation design and signage. • Energy and water conservation devices could be installed • It could be argued that native plantings will increase diversity and actually work to provide food and habitat for a variety of animals. • Areas around the building will be established with a variety of native plant communities. This will complement the landscaping at Norm's Tire and the native plant restoration activities at Gervais Mill Pond. We could use the grounds in education programs as well as increase our use of the Mill Pond.