07/26/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Joan Galli, Con Christianson, and Bill Penning conducted a "bio- blitz" wildlife survey in Lino Lakes and Hugo on May 23rd and 24th. Wildlife is also contracting with Steve Peetgrass to conduct a Blanding's Turtle study looking at soils and known distribution to delineate quality Blanding's habitat in those areas. Lillian Baker reported on progress on the wildfire risk assessment including meetings with the local fire chiefs. She distributed a copy of a existing fire prone property survey worksheet which will be used. Consideration will also be given to railroads and other risk factors found in the 1999 Andover fire complex. Marty Asleson suggested that the assessment look at and guidelines be developed for prescribed burn use for habitat management, including managing risk in properties adjoining prescribed burn sites. Dave suggested developing a GIS map of such properties. Suzann Willhite reported that Metropolitan Council is in the process of final validation of a 7- county border -to- border trail inventory whose data we will be able to used, including trail connections beyond the 2 cities. Dan Cornejo asked about information and planning for snowmobile trails which is an issue in Hugo. Status of LUG plans / Review & Comment on LUG Documents Dan Cornejo talked about the status of Hugo's development moratorium whose anniversary is August 18, 2000. It may be extended 3 -6 months (to Dec -Feb) to allow changes to their codes, but with the understanding that by Mar -Apr. development review will be proceeding. Dan invited DNR to feed ideas into the Request for Proposals (RFP) to be developed in the next month or two for Hugo's charette process. Peggy Sand has started to review Hugo's Comp Plan which was done in 1996. Other disciplines are requested to assist in reviewing all the various LUG documents. Marty Asleson explained that Lino Lake's Comprehensive Plan needs to be approved by Met Council (hopefully by fall) because the city is down to only 12 acres of developable land left within MUSA in effect putting a hold on development. The City is taking the position to not make any more changes in the Comp Plan at this time in order to expedite Met Council's approval process. Instead the City wants to fir"cus on (and encourages DNR input on) implementation tools (e.g. ordinances). Other discussion included: Dan Cornejo pointed out a problem he faced in New York when environmental rules exceeded the capacity of staff to do substantive review. Dave Zumeta pointed out the work that is being done at the UofMn Center for Transportation Studies and by Professor Lance Neckar on smart growth, hydrology, and 3 levels of development density (looking at St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Woodbury, and Hastings). Marty mentioned new model developments he's visited: Jackson Meadows (Marine on the St. Croix) and Liberty on the Lake (Stillwater) and how the later didn't address environmental concerns well. Assistance to LUG's on Subdivision Planning Marty reiterated that until Met Council approves their Comp Plan, Lino has no developable land, so it is difficult to start any subdivision process. However, he will identify some areas of future interest that warrant a closer look in our inventory process. 3