20251217 Environmental Board Minutes

Home Search

Environmental Board December 17, 2025 Page 9 Mr. Hoffman said that the City does have some flexibility on what it can do. They are minimum impact design standards, and then wet ponding. He goes on to say that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are two different entities. The DNR is going to put a higher quality on their species and some of the rare plants. The MPCA is going to put higher value on stormwater ponding. for flexibility with the site. For the most part, they want to leave the open space as a reason not to do mitigation. Mr. Hoffman goes on to say that there are other mitigation measures that can be done in these developments, such as the stormwater reuse to help reduce disturbance. Chair Schwartz said that he would be in favor of keeping the stormwater ponds smaller to disturb less area. Mr. Hoffman responded that he would like to move the stormwater ponds closer to the wetland so there is less tree removal but commented that if you move a big deep pond closer to the wetland, are you potentially causing more issues. He said they will work with the developer to preserve some of that wetland. Chair Schwartz commented about the Wollan Park extension and deeding it to the City. He asked if there would be access off the Pine Oaks development via the pipeline, or is it strictly going to be off Diane Street. Mr. Hoffman responded that as you go from Diane Street to the west, there is a decent amount of upland on the east side. He said when they did the burn at Wollan Park, they were standing in floating bog. He said they may not be able to make the full loop, depending on the year. He noted that you could get in through that pipeline and there could be some street parking on the edge of that wetland 7. He also noted that that is Chair Schwartz - either side of the road where there are no lots. He asked if there are going to be surmountable curves and if there will be signs indicating wildlife crossing there. Mr. Hoffman said that they are trying to keep the hydrology and maintain that corridor. The roads going through there should ideally have an oversized culvert or box culvert so keeping them connected ecologically and hydraulically. He also said that this . He said the signage is something that they could look in to for crossings if they are not able to get the culverts. Chair Schwartz asked if they could include some native seed mixes or plantings using the existing seed bank. Mr. Hoffman said that they are looking into saving the topsoil from the areas that are disturbed and spreading that onsite. M/I Homes is waiting for an Ecological Restoration APPROVED MINUTES