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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2003 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 1 APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE: March 26, 2003 TIME STARTED: 6:35 P.M. TIME ENDED: 9:13 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Donlin, Constance Grundhofer, Patrice Toler Halen, Rod Kukonen, Mary Jo O’Dea, and MEMBERS ABSENT: Teresa O’Connell and Nikki Schneider STAFF PRESENT: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1.CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 26, 2003 The following corrections were requested: Page 5, first paragraph: add “Reduce the number of parking spaces to the City’s minimum requirement.” Halen moved to approve the February 26, 2003 meeting minutes with the above corrections. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Discuss Vikings stadium complex in 6F. • Discuss Metropolitan Mosquito Control in 7C. 4.OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5.ACTION ITEMS A.Ravens Hollow/Preliminary Plat Review Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. The Resource Inventory had been corrected. He indicated that there was very little water flowing though the Lake Protection Zone. Zones 1 and 2 had been disturbed. He stated that forests had been found to be good for infiltration. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 2 APPROVED MINUTES Donlin stated she was concerned that the trees would be used for infiltration. Asleson responded that drought and not too much water usually killed trees. He indicated it was one more tool to manage the water volumes. Mr. Goertz noted that there would be a permanent proposed conservation easement. He indicated that the Resource Inventory had been completed. Grundhofer questioned the number of feet that would be protected along the power line to where the trees started. Mr. Goertz answered that there was a 70- foot conservation easement in the power easement. Custom grading would leave an additional 40 feet behind each house and 50 feet between each house would be conservation easement. The easement would inhibit owners from cutting their trees. Chair Kukonen inquired how the infiltration would affect the conservation easements in the north. Mr. Goertz responded that it had been mowed. Donlin asked for confirmation that the light green area was where oaks were present. Mr. Goertz affirmed there was a stand of oaks at that location. Donlin inquired about the 9 foot change in elevation. Mr. Goertz answered that due to the high water table, the houses would have full basements at the same height. Chair Kukonen noted that the developer was preserving at least 25%, in addition, he liked the proposed buffering. He was encouraged to see many of the things the Board recommended in the past in this project. Mr. Goertz stated that the timeline would be to build next year, and grade this year. Chair Kukonen noted that the density was lower. Mr. Goertz indicated that the infiltration basins were part of the existing conditions and would take care of the backyard water. The water in front of the houses would go over the curb. It would take a 20-year event before it left the site. He stated that there was no pond in the groundwater. It was above the water table so the woods would be kept. Grundhofer noted that in the northeast, low shrubs such as significant clumps of aspen and dogwoods would be filled. Mr. Goertz answered that the existing wetland would not be touched. Asleson inquired about the public access area. Mr. Goertz responded that the drainage and utility easement would be 5 feet on either side and would not have many maintenance issues because of the sandy soil. He indicated that he would ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 3 APPROVED MINUTES look to staff for recommendations on plantings. Mr. Goertz noted a huge wetland was present that could handle a 100-year event before it would flow under the road to the southeast. Asleson questioned if there was pre- and post-development water information available. Mr. Goertz answered it was not yet available. Grundhofer expressed concern about the habitat of the great horned owl, various warblers and goldfinches. Chair Kukonen inquired about contiguous open space that had to be a certain size to be considered significant. He also stated that the water runoff was a concern. Grundhofer questioned if the boulevard trees were specified by the City. Asleson answered that they would be specified. Mr. Goertz noted there was a temporary cul-de-sac in the northeast. He indicated that there would be no new street north of the site. Grundhofer referred to the ghost plat noting a road east of Highway 49 and three homes. Mr. Goertz stated there were two homes and the ghost plat needed to show how the adjacent area would be used. The houses were unsewered residential. The plan would have no frontage road. Donlin inquired if the name referred to one or more ravens, because it would require an apostrophe in the name. The other concern was the conservation easements were long and thin, she questioned if they would be significant. She questioned who would be responsible to maintain the easements. Asleson noted the areas would be signed as well. Mr. Goertz stated his plan was to have it voted on by the association. Donlin expressed concern over a homeowners’ association maintaining a conservation easement, and indicated that a better choice could be a land trust. Mr. Goertz stated that he was willing to try a land trust. Donlin stated that the land trust would take the tracts unless they were large. She encouraged him to keep trees to increase the value of the lots. Mr. Goertz stated that homeowners’ associations had “teeth” with conservation easements from the standpoint of the builders. He offered to put it in the by-laws that City approval was necessary or a certified forester. Donlin recommended the conservation easement lines be undulated to make it appear more natural. Mr. Goertz indicated that he would look at the tree inventory and try to save more. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 4 APPROVED MINUTES Chair Kukonen commented on clustering houses that Quigley’s development approached 50% open space. Ravens Hollow reflected a better plan than could be attained with the R-EC. Donlin expressed concern that the oaks remaining would be standing in water. Mr. Goertz stated that there was an outlet if the area had too much water. Asleson stated that he had been receiving calls concerning West Nile Virus, which he referred to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control. Donlin noted that poisoning was not the answer, but a healthy wetland with the natural predators to keep them in check. Asleson indicated that most of the wetlands would not be breeding areas because they only bred in stagnant water. He noted there had been the introduction of exotics and recorded changes in bat and frog populations. Donlin added there were 50 species of mosquitoes in Minnesota, with only 28 species that bite people. The chances of contracting the disease were extremely low. O’Dea suggested that Donlin write an article for the City newsletter relating to mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. Chair Kukonen reviewed the recommendations, and the Board composed the following statement: “Even though this falls short of the goals of Conservation Development, we are endorsing it, because of the developer’s commitment and willingness to preserve open space, without the high density normally required in these projects in this zoning district. The following recommendations were also included: • Address staff recommendations. • Add restrictions in the homeowners’ association by-laws to emphasize preventing the removal of existing vegetation and significant trees. • Soften the tree lines thereby keeping the wood lots as natural as possible. • Work with City Forester to preserve the stands of significant trees.” Mr. Goertz addressed the southeast area of the site, where the zoning was 3-6 units per acre. The areas were too small, and one was under water. He asked adjacent neighbors and they did not want townhomes. He indicated that he might have to come up with a new plan because it went against the Comprehensive Plan. He believed that the plan fit the area better, and spoke with staff about amending the Comprehensive Plan. Grundhofer inquired about the water flowing to the southeast toward the road. Asleson answered that the vast majority was flowing to the southeast, but a small amount was going into the ditch. He noted that nine years ago there were wet areas. They were disturbed but could be restored in the future. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 5 APPROVED MINUTES Grundhofer stated she had concern about the change in water volumes in the northwest corner across Highway 49. Mr. Goertz stated that they would not be adding to the flow there. The location had a watershed shift. Grundhofer expressed concern that the residents on Ware Road and Highway 49 had septic systems and could be negatively impacted. Mr. Goertz noted the site was prepared for a 100-year event, and a one foot bounce following that. At predevelopment, all the water flowed to the pond. The septic systems should not be impacted. O’Dea made a motion to pass on the Board recommendations. Halen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6.DISCUSSION ITEMS A.Zoning Ordinance/Rod Kukonen Chair Kukonen stated that he attended the March 10, 2003, Council meeting in order to find out what Board recommendation had been endorsed. In the section of Administration, items F and H were kept in, addressing noise and impact to natural environment. Cluster housing was denied in R-1 and R-X. The R-EC with 25-30% at 15,000 was denied. Councilmember Carlson reviewed the endorsements of the Council to the Board. B.Heron Update Asleson noted that the birds came back on March 17, although some recalled sightings earlier. He hoped to have normal weather this year, so it could be ruled out as a factor. The HERON group requested the Board’s presence at their March 29, 2003, meeting with a flyer. He hoped that a video could be shot from the nest to document behavior there. He indicated that last year the No Wake Zone was enacted late. The signage was up. Donlin stated she was glad the neighbors were watching, but expressed concern that too many extra people could disturb the birds. Asleson stated that Steve Kittleson, a biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was a part of the project. Grundhofer requested staff ask the Metropolitan Mosquito Control to not spray on the lake. Asleson stated that they would spray if they received a call concerning the West Nile Virus. He noted that the Fridley colony also abandoned their nests last year. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 6 APPROVED MINUTES Donlin mentioned that there were fireworks at a crucial time. Asleson agreed and stated that they winter in Florida and Louisiana. C. Earth Day Donlin stated that the theme was “Wetlands.” They were lining up the exhibitors, but the petting zoo might have their last year at Wargo. The Reuse Center was planning to bring an actual booth this year, not merely some doorknobs. Some exhibitors would bring invertebrates and microscopes. Chair Kukonen mentioned that the Board could have a listing of the various kinds of wetlands with pictures and possibly a map of the City with the locations. Asleson responded that he could obtain a poster of wetlands from Rice Creek Watershed District or the National Wetlands Inventory. Donlin stated that there needed to be a person at the booth to interact with the visitors. Asleson indicated that he went to a conference on a multinational study of biodiversity in grasslands. One-third of the root systems die each year, but then serve as carbon filters. The study could not go to the 250 species in presettlement sites, but the presence of nitrogen in native plant systems removed biodiversity. With a high level of biodiversity, there was a high level of biomass, and a high level of biodiversity of insects and, therefore, natural predators. The information outlined what to do to increase and restore them. Halen asked Asleson for the definite project areas and the necessary materials. Donlin offered to copy the contact list. Chair Kukonen addressed the Board’s wetland display. Asleson stated that he would make a map of a portion of the City with the wetland types. Donlin stated that the Anoka County Conservation District was doing a booth on rain gardens, and Bauman’s and O’Connell were handling the food. Asleson mentioned that he would call Peggy at Circle Pines to find out if the next meeting could be held at Wargo. D.City Newsletter The Board noted the deadline for the next newsletter was April 15, and could be on mosquitoes. Halen added that a short story could be done on the herons, the call numbers for assistance, how to watch the birds, patterns, and interesting facts. E.Surface Water Management Plan ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 7 APPROVED MINUTES The Board discussed that the next meeting on the Surface Water Management Plan would be on Phase II. The document from 1992 would be updated with the Clean Water Act. F.Vikings Stadium Complex Donlin read a letter she wrote to the Council for consideration by the Board. It was in response to the reports in several papers that a site in Lino Lakes was being considered for a new Vikings Stadium Complex. She contacted the City, and the issue was never heard of at City Hall. Councilmember Carlson stated that nothing had come to the City, although there had been a meeting with Anoka County. She was watching the topic in the papers. The NFL would provide $50 million for a stadium. There are four sites north of the Blaine airport, two sites in Lino Lakes and one in Columbus. She expressed several concerns and advised that a meeting was called for with the three cities concerning the interchange of the highway connecting Interstate 35W and Interstate 35E. An engineer discussed a Birch Street connection with the freeway, but that was not in the Comprehensive Plan. The environmental impacts were also discussed. Following the meeting, she was informed that Gander Mountain was building in Columbus. Donlin stated the County was paying $15,000 for the plans, but she had no idea of the final bill. They were looking for a 300 acre parcel. She mentioned that Red McCombs owned Trout Air. She expressed concern that it was a likely location. From an environmental perspective, the Duck Pass and Lamprey Pass would be affected by a stadium complex. Councilmember Carlson indicated that the Council did not know much. She attempted to learn of the developments by reading the minutes from Blaine and Anoka County. Donlin stated that she wanted to be involved. Councilmember Carlson recommended that representatives be sent to Council. Chair Kukonen responded that they should go to a work session. He planned to speak with Linda Waite-Smith for the rationale. Councilmember Carlson recommended speaking to Michael Grochala. The next Council worksession would be on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 5:30 p.m., which is before the next City’s meeting on the Interstate 35 exchange. 7.DEPARTMENT REPORTS A.Forestry ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETINGMARCH 26, 2003 8 APPROVED MINUTES Asleson stated that an exotic species was being battled in Detroit. The species was from China and had been wiping out ash trees. Left unchecked, within 10 years there would be no ash remaining. There were no natural predators and it could not be sprayed for. B.Solid Waste Recycling Asleson indicated Ace had approached staff on a change in the route that would affect all the haulers. O’Dea made a motion to recommend acceptance of the change. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. C.Environmental Asleson stated that recent conferences he attended had proved that the Board was proactive in terms of accomplishments with the Shade Tree, Conservation Development, and Tree Ordinances. The Board discussed the newly distributed cards from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control allow residents to ask for a no spray status. 8.ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on April 30, 2003. There being no further business, Donlin moved to adjourn at 9:13 p.m. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSavers OffSite Secretarial, Inc.