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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JULY 28, 2004 <br />noted that Rice Creek Watershed District had a staffing shortage, so the process <br />had slowed. Mr. Black inquired about the rationale for filling wetlands for lots. <br />He explained the developer typically tried to avoid, minimize and then mitigate <br />and admitted he was not rejecting the idea, but that he did not understand. He <br />referred to the layout of staff recommendations of the site. The pink areas would <br />be filled. With the recommended layout, Lot 4 would not be buildable due to <br />setbacks. <br /> <br />Chair Kukonen recommended buffering between the established neighborhoods <br />and the new development. <br /> <br />Bor indicated that Rice Creek was a piece, but in order to make the plan a win- <br />win situation, it was worth the dialogue to form a better plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Black responded that the present plan worked, and his concern had become <br />the process. He assured the Board it would be a nice neighborhood, but for him <br />time was very important. He expressed frustration with the controlled growth in <br />the City. He inquired if the trail was a big issue. Asleson stated it was a co-issue <br />with the greenway. <br /> <br />Mr. Black questioned how he was going to reach consensus with the Army Corps <br />of Engineers after the process with the City. Asleson explained all wetlands were <br />not the same, because some could not be restored due to hydrologic changes. The <br />goal was to protect the higher value wetlands and to expand open space that slated <br />some lower value wetlands to be filled. He admitted that the plan was smaller <br />scale than an example in Blaine, but there were similar issues. He assured Mr. <br />Black that in that case they received approval from all agencies. Asleson further <br />clarified that there was a need for the separation between the seasonal high water <br />level and the water table. Conservation Development was a mechanism to restore <br />certain areas. If water quality could be improved, he would make the <br />recommendation. <br /> <br />Mr. Black responded it could be possible to address those issues after the Rice <br />Creek Watershed District meeting. He reiterated that all the recommendations the <br />Board previously made were addressed. <br /> <br />O’Connell inquired about an attempt to work with Saddle Club. Mr. Black <br />answered that they had not looked at Saddle Club. <br /> <br />Chair Kukonen questioned if there was a parks designation. Mr. Black responded <br />that the City did not want a park. <br /> <br />Asleson inquired about a greenway. Mr. Black stated they did not want an active <br />recreation area. He had proposed an outlot for that use for the City. <br />Asleson stated the concern was the management of those areas. He admitted that <br />the City was obtaining the greenways, but noted the trail would be public. An <br />2 APPROVED MINUTES