07/28/2004 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JULY 28, 2004 advantage to having a greenway would be the association would know they would continue to have the scenery. A second advantage would be that it would reduce the amount of storm sewers for the developer. Grundhofer requested that both plans be held up side by side for the Board. The Board briefly discussed the contrasts. O’Connell noted that with the Conservation District, not all the lots would be the same size. Mr. Black responded he was not rejecting the entire idea, and that some ideas could be incorporated. He expressed concern about the homeowners’ association managing the open space. He applauded the City’s intention, but was concerned about the City testing their idea on him. He had intended to build on the upland areas and to create a quality neighborhood. The things that were suggested went against what he knew. The City could not merely take land. They had to consider the implementation. He stated the City was on to something, but that it had to be within the City requirements. Bor stated that the value of the property would be expressed as the City became more developed. As it went forth, it would bring change to the coding and other areas. Asleson agreed. He was concerned with the plans in terms of the high water table. People say there needed to be a separation between the water table and the bottom of the NURP ponds. He cautioned that in five years the ponds between the houses would not function properly. Staff noted the State considered the Southern portion of the site to be of outstanding value with unique resources. They had high ecological value. A goal in the 2020 Vision was that “no unique resources should be lost.” He recommended more of a buffer for that area. Mr. Black stated that he had a 50 acre parcel, and had done the appropriate work. He agreed to attend the meetings. Asleson indicated he believed that the plan would not work. Mr. Black responded that his engineers assured him the plan would work. Asleson noted that the plan was going to go to Planning and Zoning Board. He reminded the Board that they had received incomplete information. He gave the example of Mr. Quigley’s Clearwater Creek with all the meetings he attended, and the lots became more valuable. Staff stated only the landowner knew the value of his own work. Mr. Black indicated he needed specific recommendations, and believed he was being used for new ideas. Bor answered that what the Board was recommending was not far off from his own plan. The example of buffering was worth trying, given the value of the land. Asleson stated that a recommendation was necessary from the Board tonight. 3 APPROVED MINUTES