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Environmental Board <br />August 30, 2023 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br /> <br />4. Erosion blanket must be a natural net variety. <br />5. Additional shrubs will be required to cover 50% of the west perimeter fence that faces <br />Otter Lake Road. <br />6. The provided Tree Protection Detail must be replaced with the City Tree Protection <br />Fence Detail on Sheet L2.01. All trees planned for preservation will require tree <br />protection fence to be installed in accordance with this detail. <br /> <br />Ms. Buchmeier made a motion to approve the recommendations along with the fence <br />height suggestions. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 – 0. <br /> <br />B. Natural Landscapes Ordinance Amendment <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson clarified that this is not an action item, but an update that the City will be <br />amending ordinance to reflect the State Statute regarding natural landscapes. <br /> <br />This item was just an update, so the Board made no motion. <br /> <br />C. Artificial Turf Ordinance Amendment <br /> <br />Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented his staff report. <br /> <br />75 Robinson Drive did some work that removed sod and soil in preparation for installed <br />synthetic turf. The current ordinance does not currently allow synthetic turf to be used as <br />landscape cover. Mr. Nelson quoted the ordinance, which said, “There is no exception for <br />synthetic turf”. The applicant submitted a proposed amendment to current ordinance <br />language that would allow synthetic turf. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson went over the pros and cons of the use of synthetic turf as landscape. The <br />biggest areas of concerns include the permeability of the product, hazardous <br />decomposition products, and the product ending up in landfills. <br /> <br />Troy Johnson, with ForeverLawn Minnesota Inc, would recommend having an ordinance <br />that allows synthetic turf as landscape so that companies would install it correctly. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson stated that Lino Lakes would be the first city in MN to allow turf as <br />residential landscaping, if they approve. Regarding the concern about fires starting, <br />synthetic grass is tested like carpet; the fire would not spread if it were set on fire; the turf <br />would melt and go out in the same place. <br /> <br />Ms. Cavegn clarified that if the turf caught on fire there would be air quality emissions <br />issues. <br />