11-20-06 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2006 Blesener stated that he supported City regulations for areas of 20,000 square feet of disturbance or more, provided that there is a variance procedure in place for projects that cannot comply. The City Engineer asked if Chat meant compliance with volume reduction or water qualify standards. Blesener replied both. Keis asked if there were any limitations on the amount of impervious surface for industrial sites. The City Administrator replied that only the setback areas needed Co be maintained as green space. The Planner agreed that there was not a percentage requirement for green area, and that the Code somewhat backed into it. The City Engineer stated that the consensus he is hearing is that the City wants to regulate disturbed areas down to 20,000 square feet in size, that the NEMO model standards would apply, and that a Variance procedure should be in place. Allan and Keis agreed that a project would have to comply with the standards to the extent possible. McGraw felt Chat Che ability to comply would be determined by the City Planner and CiCy Engineer on a case-by-case basis with a recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council. The Planner agreed that the best approach would be for Che CiCy Engineer Co review plans, determine the ability to comply with standards, and then make a recommendation to the Council.. The property owner would be responsible for submitting engineered plans for the City Engineer's review, along with storm water calculations, etc. The Planner stated that as this is handled on a case-by-case basis, the City will clarify issues related to ability to comply. Blesener asked if all the watersheds have adopted these rules. The Engineer replied That the Ramsey-Washington Watershed and Che Rice Creek Watershed developed the standards together and have adopted them. The Planner indicated Chat more of these standards will be adopted within the next five years. Those present then reviewed the City Engineer's report dated November 17, 2006 relative to standard sheeC widths. The CiCy Engineer indicated that he is amending the report to call for collector streets such as Market Place Drive, Demont Avenue, LaBore Road, and Arcade Sheet to be 30 feet in width. The Engineer also noted that any streets with less than 250 trips per day could be a standard less than 24 feet wide. The Engineer recommended, however, that Chis standard not be less than a 20 foot width. The Council and Commission Members discussed the minimum standard for a street with less than 250 trips per day, and it was their consensus that this standard not be less than 24 feet with no parking on both sides of the street. It was noted that anything narrower could be problematic during 6