05/04/2010 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 4, 2010 DRAFT MINUTES 4 problems such as a red flag what is the comfort level with this. Mr. Asleson stated it will still be okay to cut your own trees down. Ms. Bor questioned Item 2B. 1. Would this require a developer to conduct a natural and endangered species study. Mr. Asleson stated yes. Ms. Bor wanted to confirm 3C which states a minimum setback of 10 feet which equates to a buffer on buffer. Natural Resource Conservation Areas, Subsection B. Top of Page 4. Ms. Bor stated at this time best practices will be used. Ms. Schlichting stated there is research RCWD put together. It is better than what we have today but not everything that RCWD requires. Ms. Schlichting stated there is a minimum and if we can get more we will try. Mr. Brown questioned who decides this. Mr. Smyser emphasized that Mother Nature does not design by numbers. We are trying to approach review of the development of the site in that way. What we plan to do, and you are not seeing yet, is outline the process of developing projects. Ms. Schlichting referred to the handbook for conservation development; if you are going to protect something you need the developer to design the site in such a way that everyone is satisfied. Ms. O’Dea stated this is not defined. There is a variable buffer stated Mr. Asleson. It was suggested that this is vague language and may want to add wording and recommendations. Mr. Asleson stated we should add a range of buffers to work with. Ms. Bor stated to add a collaborative decision of what the buffer would be. Mr. Smyser stated the City has ordinances that go from here to here. That part of it will be covered in a different section. The process will be described in the platting process or the PUD section. When something is developing we will have certain groups looking at certain areas based on expertise. Mr. Heiskary stated there is not a lot of science in the minimum numbers. The idea of the minimum gives the developer the idea they have to do at least this. Ms. Bor questioned if the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is referenced in the stormwater ordinance? Mr. Asleson stated yes. Natural Resources, Page 5 Ms. Bor questioned the accountability if a tree dies within 3 years of planting, who is responsible. Mr. Asleson stated there are agreements with private pond holders, the City can come in and assess or take care of the problem if owner does not. Mr. Smyser stated if they are on an outlot or easement the City has the right to access.