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Environmental Board <br />April 24, 2024 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br /> <br />disappointed with the decision to cut them down. She asked the Board to hold <br />MI Homes accountable for replacing the 3,900 trees due to the mitigation <br />process. <br /> <br />Raymond Stanke, 663 Andall Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55014, Mr. Stanke <br />appreciates the wildlife that he has enjoyed since moving here in the 1990’s. He <br />said reptiles and amphibians were bountiful. He stated there has been a decline <br />in the wildlife over the last ten years. Mr. Stanke stated he saw a wood turtle on <br />a neighboring property that was on the endangered list. Mr. Stanke feels it is <br />criminal and self harming to ignore what is happening. He feels whatever is <br />getting into the water and killing the tree frogs is not helping. He spoke to the <br />Metropolitan Mosquito Control and feels it is criminal what they are putting in the <br />water. <br /> <br />Open Mike was closed at 6:46 p.m. <br /> <br />7. DISCUSSION ITEMS <br /> <br />A. Nature’s Refuge North – Restoration and Tree Mitigation Plan <br /> <br />Natures Refuge North is a proposed subdivision with 99 single-family residential <br />lots on an approximately 59.3 acres site located just north of the Natures Refuge <br />development on Main Street. The Environmental Board first reviewed a concept <br />plan for the Natures Refuge North project at the October 25th, 2023 meeting. <br />Since the initial meetings with the Environmental Board and Planning and Zoning <br />Board, the developer, M/I Homes, has been working through the <br />recommendations and requirements to further explore the feasibility of the <br />project. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson wanted to know if the Board would be open to some flexibility on the <br />tree mitigation numbers knowing what we know about this site. He said there is <br />restoration and establishment potential to bring in the rarest native plant <br />community to this area, which is Oak Savanna. Mr. Nelson indicated the <br />suggestion is to find the best possible ecological and environmental outcome for <br />this specific patch of land while honoring the landscape requirements that are <br />valued by the residents. He said the development team has been working to <br />minimize tree impacts and determine what areas have potential for vegetive <br />restoration. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson stated there are conservation developments in the City that are <br />examples of how native plant restoration work can be better incorporated into <br />design. These sites include Foxborough, the Preserve, Saddle Club and Nature’s <br />Refuge. He stated tree mitigation numbers were waived or altered in the past in