08/29/2001 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 29, 2001 town. If the project had been completed as the last plat indicated, the City would resemble Oakdale or Lakeville. O'Connell posed the question if the Council reopened the project, would the Environmental Board review it and pass on recommendations. Grochala responded that except for the infiltration issue, the bigger picture with a reduction in the tax rate made it primarily an economic issue for the Council. Asleson stated that the environmental issues were pushed as much as possible. Donlin explained that because the supermarket -discount store merchandise was inexpensive, it could put smaller retailers out of business. Grochala colninented on his experience in Cambridge where a large retailer caused a turnover'in businesses from town, but the smaller businesses created niches which benefited`froxm the'draw the larger store brought to the area. Donlin stated she did not want outsiders coming into =town to shop; and other neighbors she spoke with agreed. Another issue would be that'low-ineore'housing would be necessary to accommodate the workers. Grochala introduced Tanda Gretz the new Associate Planner for the City. B. Centennial School District/New Elementary School Site Plan Review/ Conditional Use Permit — Asleson introduced John!Christansein Superintendent for Centennial Schools, and reviewed the site which is.located off 4th Avenue and Highway 35W. He reviewed the background for the ,site that ineluded the site being located in a lake protection area where the soils were sandy, -Wet. In the past, there had been concerns with Isanti wet soils on a floodplain;, Chair Lanyon asked if the area included both the building and the land. Asleson answered that it did. and that e Greenway was previously located through the area, but had since been rerouted., Trehus inquired as to, when,: he Greenway had been initially proposed. Asleson responded that it wasproposed'in the 1992 City Plan. He continued, the landscape plan showed that there were no significant trees, however there were many cedars that could be moved. The landscape architect also suggested it. The salt spray from the adjacent highway would inhibit the growth of the cedars, and staff suggested a hardier species would be Colorado Blue Spruce. Infiltration areas were planned in the northwest and there was a recommendation for a study on the surface water treatment. Native plantings were suggested that would be resistant to salt spray. He indicated the school district wanted to preserve the trees on the ends for a shelter break. Chair Lanyon expressed concerns over water treatment and infiltration on site and specifically as it related to the parking area. He suggested water quality issues were straightforward enough for elementary students to grasp, and the district could create a 3