07/26/2000 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JULY 26, 2000 of the three-ring model adopted for Conservation Development that needs to be looked at more closely in the commercial development areas. He advised that recently, staff has experienced a business community that reflects a different cultural view of landscape design. He suggested the Board look more closely at this, address the concerns of the business community, and look at the ecological concerns in relationship to these cultural views. Donlin arrived at 6:37 p.m. and O'Connell arrived at 6:38 p.m. Asleson stated the City needs to look at its site resources and sometimes go beyond the boarders with historical vegetation types. He stated it seems to him that the important ecological principals to look at are preserving remnant historic vegetation, types, protecting and minimizing or eliminating resource impacts, and restoring ecological systems where the opportunity exists. The principals of "Surface Water Treatment Train" and water retention/hydro-restoration in conjunction with soil management are very important issues to look at for the restoration/buffering'and or preservation of development sites. Water resources are looked at from a flow rate -control standard yet tremendous additional volumes of water are leaving different sites. Plant communities that have developed over time are adapted to certain historic water requirements. The City's lake ecosystems are adapted to certain naturalwater schedules. Asleson explained the question is how the City can address the cultural landscape design issues of the business community and at the same time address ecological concerns. Asleson stated the business coma unity is reacting in way that would express a different cultural view but he believesall want to be good stewards of the land. He reported on his conversation with a landscape architectwho supports the use of native plants, has worked with business community design for 20 years, and agrees their view is different from the residential view. Chair Lanyon asked what the Board is being asked to consider. Asleson presented a map identifying the commercial areas of Lino Lakes and commented on the types of landscaping at several of the businesses. He noted the business park section developediby the City over the last several years with traditional landscaping of sod and irrigation. Asleson then pointed out the areas where the landscaping has been transitioned with natural plantings. Chair Lanyon noted that residential developers also have a perception of traditional landscaping which is similar to that expressed by commercial owners. Asleson agreed. Asleson stated the landscape architect he spoke with talked about the need to also address water drainage issues including run-off rates and water quality. He stated the City needs to be cautious to review models and assure water drainage issues are addressed. He asked what the Board would like to do with the commercial district properties that do not want to follow these guidelines. 2