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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JULY 26, 2000 <br />Donlin suggested the next agenda include an item for discussion with different interested <br />firms. <br />Mach stated the DNR has several staff members involved with native plantings and <br />suggested they be contacted as a resource. <br />Chair Lanyon agreed and suggested staff contact DNR and Arboretum staff to make a <br />presentation at the August meeting on what elements the City should include in the plan. <br />The design/consulting firms can be invited to make a presentation at the September <br />meeting. <br />Trehus suggested that information be compiled into a booklet and provided to developers. <br />Chair Lanyon stated it may be that the City is not seeing all the needs of the commercial <br />business owners which needs to be specifically addressed to assure the landscape <br />presentation is attractive to customers of the business. Hestated a design/consulting firm <br />could assist with developing a general plan and guidelines which can be provided to the <br />developer. Then, if they want more detailed plans for their specific property, they can <br />hire their own consultant to do so. <br />Davidson asked what the City can do to better educate the business community about <br />these issues. She suggested it would help for staff to have an early conversation with the <br />owner to explain the surface water issues that need to be addressed. Asleson agreed that <br />discussion needs to occur during their design process. <br />Chair Lanyon suggested a seriesof five-year pictures could be displayed to show the <br />beginning, during, and, end`'landscape appearances. Asleson stated the landscaper he <br />spoke with made the same suggestion. <br />Chair Lanyon suggested thata list of successful business sites also be compiled so they <br />can visualize how it will look. <br />Mach suggested one of the parks be used as a prototype for the business community. He <br />also suggested that plants be used rather than seeds to expedite the process. <br />Donlin commented on the landscaping of a Lake Elmo chiropractic business that contains <br />a garden and winding pathway to the front door. <br />Mach stated he also knows of a residential property with prairie landscaping that is <br />beautiful. He offered to get pictures of examples for light industrial and commercial as <br />well as depicting the appearance each of the first five years. <br />Wessel thanked the Board for their input and suggestions on this important issue. <br />5 <br />