05/31/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)- Local Unit of Government Workgroup ( LUG) Minutes from 4/20/00 Work Group Meeting Attendance: Peggy Sand (chair), Bill Penning, Con Christianson, Duane Shodeen, Lillian Baker, Meredith Cornett, Jean Mouelle, Don Mueller, Tom Polasik, Dale Homuth, Tom Hovey, Molly Shodeen, Joan Galli, Marty Asleson, Dan Cornejo, Kate Drewry, John Saxhaug, Samantha Hayes (facilitator) Attendees introduced themselves, agreed to the agenda, and affirmed the work group expectations. Project Overview & Discussion Peggy Sand gave an overview of the purpose of this work group. Tom Hovey will contact John VondeLinde or Jeff Perry of Anoka County Parks, Tom Polasik will check with Jim Luger of Washington Co Parks, and Kate Drewry will contact Jane Harper of Washington County about participating in this work group. Concern was also expressed of the impact that changes to Highway 61 may have and options for the roadway character. Status Reports & Discussion Hugo Peggy provided copies of the 4/16/00 Pioneer Press article on Hugo "Developing, Naturally" which talked about dual projects - 1 being the DNR WUI project, and the other project is a planning charette (intense workshop) approach which Dan Cornejo explained to the group. Specifically, Hugo received $50,000- $75,000 from Metropolitan Council to do a charette process (probably 3 main public events as part of a week of intense work) to develop a community vision on how the land should be developed and how they may address affordible housing goals. This process is expected to come up with recommendations to be used in revising their land regulations. The charette is proposed for mid summer, but timing may be effected by Hugo also starting the process now of hiring an on -staff development director. Hugo's comprehensive plan was adopted in 1996 when no one predicted the current pace of development. Emerging issues include transportation systems and sense of place. Serious concerns were expressed by Bill Penning and other work group members over the timing of the charette, in particular, it should be based on our natural resource inventory which is not expected to be completed until September. Shakopee and Robbinsdale were cited as examples of communities facing similar highway - related issues. Kate Drewry provided information on Hugo's current moratorium which only affects those areas within the MUSA line, but excludes the Wenzel Farm project (now undergoing environmental review) which started before the moratorium went into effect. This week Mike Erickson (formerly with Maplewood) starts as Hugo's new City Administrator. Natural Resource Assessments Joan Galli reported that they are having a consultant assess Blanding turtle habitat and that the study area could be expanded to include Hugo. The group discussed getting a set of GIS maps made of the two cities using various existing data layers such as the natural heritage database. These will be used to conduct some wildlife fieldwork in the two cities in mid -May. Lino Lakes has new soils data. Dale Homuth will follow -up on getting Jacque Stubbs to create the maps. Work is still needed to determine who will do the land cover mapping/natural resource inventory