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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2022 EB Packet CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING Wednesday, January 26, 2022 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. SWEARING IN OF BOARD MEMBERS 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 4, 2022 7. OPEN MIKE 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Aquatic Invasive Species Program Overview – Jessica Leverty, Anoka County 9. UPDATES A. General Updates B. Recycling and SCORE Grant Updates 10. ADJOURN DRAFT MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Sullivan called the Lino Lakes Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on January 4, 2022. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan stated to approve the Agenda as it stands. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 30, 2021 Mr. Sullivan asked for approval of the November 30, 2021 minutes. Mr. Parsons MOTIONED to approve the minutes. Mr. Schwartz seconded the motion. Motioned passed 5-0. V. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:33 p.m. Open Mike declared closed at 6:33 p.m. DATE : January 4, 2022 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:19 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Lindsay Buchmeier, Cassie Cavegn, Jonathan Parsons, Alex Schwartz MEMBERS ABSENT : Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Phillip Davis Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES VI. ACTION ITEMS A. NorthPointe Garden Estates Mr. Nelson presented the staff report to the Environmental Board. The applicant, Lino Lakes 72, LLC, is final platting a 4.5 acre parcel for the purpose of constructing a 72 unit, 55+ age restricted independent senior housing building called NorthPointe Garden Estates. The proposed project consists of a 3-story, 72 unit building constructed over a one story, at-grade parking garage providing one parking space per unit, with an additional 73 open- air parking stalls. Several amenities will also be offered, including a community room, fitness center, mail and package lockers, woodshop, game room, and salon. There will be a variety of one and two bedroom floor plans available. The building is estimated to be open for occupancy by August 2023. The staff report included an analysis of the site’s characteristics including: land cover, rare, unique, or significant resources, soils, stormwater management and pollution protection, and alternative urban areawide review considerations. It also included a landscape plan consisting of tree preservation and mitigation standards, open area landscape standards, buffer and screening standards, outdoor lighting, and noise requirements. Staff recommended the NorthPointe 8th Addition and NorthPointe Garden Estates final plat and site and building plan review be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council with the following recommendations: 1. Blanding’s turtle flyer and factsheet shall be distributed to all contractors working on the site. 2. MnDOT type 3N or 4N bio-netting or natural netting erosion control blanket should be used where blanket is necessary for stabilization to minimize wildlife impacts. 3. Surmountable curb sections should be added in the vicinity of the blue highlights below to allow for passage of wildlife (turtles). 4. A noise study will be required. 5. Trees to be preserved must have tree protection fence installed as described in the City Tree Protection Fence Detail. This should be added to the details sheet in the plans and referenced in the landscape specifications. 6. Two green ash (T1040 and T1041) should be added to the removals list. These trees will not require mitigation trees to be planted. 7. Plant quantities should be indicated on landscape plan sheets. 8. Open area landscape standards require an additional 50 large shrubs to be planted in open areas, preferably in the open space near pond 300, in the sodded area near the wetland buffer, or along the east perimeter. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES 9. Foundation landscape standards have not been met. An additional 4 large trees and 5 large shrubs will be required for the northeast building face, east of the retaining wall. 10. Buffer and Screen requirements have not been met. The plants added for the foundation landscape standards will also satisfy the buffer and screen requirements. 11. MnDOT 34-27, a wet meadow seed mix, is specified for the east perimeter. A seed mix, such as 35-221 Dry Prairie General, should be more suitable to the high, dry conditions in this specific area. 12. All native seeding is subject to the City Native Plant Establishment Requirements. This should be noted in the landscape specifications. 13. Mulch used for stabilization should be type 3, with MCIA tags provided to the City at time of install. This should be noted in the landscape specifications. Mr. Parsons inquired if it is typical for surmountable curbs to be installed in parking lots, noting that it seemed like added risk to provide a path across the parking lot. Mr. Nelson described the potential for turtles to use the surrounding area due to wetland and upland locations, adding that turtles will always find their way down into parking lots but standard curbs do not allow for turtles to safely leave. Mr. Nelson did state that the applicant is looking for flexibly in buffer location, proposing to add area to the west of the wetland to accommodate the parking lot as planned. This is under review by Rice Creek Watershed District. The wetland buffer with an average width of 50 ft. and minimum width of 25 ft. is required per RCWD rules. Mr. Schwartz asked which specific buffer and screen requirements had not been met. Mr. Nelson replied that buffer and screens are required between different land use types and to screen roads, parking, screening utility and loading areas. The area that required more screening is the east perimeter. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know if the parking was below ground. Mr. Nelson responded that the parking is at-grade. Mr. Sullivan asked who was responsible for installing the retaining wall on the property. Mr. Nelson stated that the developer will be constructing the retaining wall. Mr. Sullivan asked for clarification on the native seed recommendation for east of the retaining wall and on irrigation. Mr. Nelson responded that the native seed plantings will not be irrigated but the other landscape improvement areas with turf and landscape plants would. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Sullivan asked about the section on outdoor lighting that was included in the staff report. Mr. Nelson responded that the section was added based upon Board interest at the last project we reviewed. Mr. Parsons asked for clarification on the Drinking Water Supply Management Area and on what is being done to mitigate contamination of the drinking water supply in the area. Mr. Nelson responded that stormwater infiltration is generally not recommended in highly vulnerable areas in the DWSMA. The stormwater ponds for this project are wet sedimentation ponds and will not be infiltrating. He added that an overview of Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) might be a good discussion topic for the Environmental Board in the future. Mr. Schwartz provided information on how soil types impact water movement and infiltration, adding that the clay preventing infiltration and directing water to wetlands for filtering was a positive. Mr. Schwartz asked if there were any species in particular that should be recommended for use on the landscape plan. Mr. Nelson replied that the landscape architect that worked on this project has worked on many similar projects in the city before, and does incorporate a diverse mix of native species for this planting. Mr. Schwartz MOTIONED to approve NorthPointe Garden Estates Final Plat and Site Plan and Building Review with the recommendations. Ms. Buchmeier seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 5 DRAFT MINUTES B. Robinson Property Mr. Nelson presented a land use application for a Planned Unit Development Concept Plan review. The proposed development is a master planned residential community located on the Robinson Farm property south of CSAH 14 (Main Street) and east of CR 53 (Sunset Avenue). The site contains 4 parcels totaling approximately 160 gross acres and consists of a mix of housing types totaling 707 housing units. Home construction is anticipated to begin July 2023. The staff report consists of an analysis of the site’s characteristics including: land cover, rare, unique, or significant resources, soils, and stormwater management. Staff recommended the Robinson Property Concept Plan be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council with the following comments: 1. A multi-functional, cohesive Greenway System plan shall be incorporated into the development, including trails, open space, natural areas, wetland and buffers, stormwater management features, and floodplain management. 2. A diverse mix of native plants and plants beneficial to pollinators should be utilized wherever possible and/or practical. This should include vegetative buffers around wetlands and stormwater management features, and also in required open space and landscape plantings. 3. Wider native vegetation buffers should be utilized wherever possible and/or practical. This should include vegetative buffers around wetlands and stormwater management features, and also in required open space and landscape plantings. Mr. Parsons inquired as to the reasoning why there are narrow borders inbetween the stormwater ponds. Mr. Peterson indicated that the borders are part of a conceptual design that show the outer cells being used to treat the water before the water enters the middle lake cell. Mr. Parsons wanted to know who was responsible for maintaining the buffers mentioned in recommendation 3. Mr. Nelson replied that there are conservation easements placed over natural areas, and ownership and maintenance responsibilities may vary. There is no specific answer to this question in the current concept plan, but he mentioned that he would look into this for the future. Mr. Schwartz asked how large a buffer area would be between the sod and the ordinary water line. Mr. Nelson responded that there is no particular number for this concept plan, but that he would have a response and/or recommendations for the future. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 6 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Schwartz asked about the purpose of the strip running northeasterly. Mr. Nelson responded that the strip is a gas pipeline. Mr. Sullivan inquired about the purpose of the gated community and its club amenities. Mr. Peterson responded that the gate is in place to retain the renters’ exclusive access to their property’s amenities, such as a clubhouse and a pool. Mr. Peterson detailed the agencies that his team was working with for this project, including several that provided feedback on water management, including Rice Creek Watershed District and the Army Core of Engineers. Mr. Schwartz asked if the project had a phasing strategy or if it would be built at once, cohesively. Mr. Peterson responded that the site would be graded all at once along with establishment of stormwater management features and floodplain mitigation. The multi-family would likely be the first phase, and some of the single family. The rest of the project would be phased. Mr. Sullivan asked where the water comes from to fill the lakes. Mr. Peterson responded that the main branch of the Anoka County ditch that is part of a large catchment area north of Main Street will supply the water. Groundwater is 4-7 feet deep and will also provide water to the lakes. He also noted that the project as proposed does not contemplate touching the main ditch, which will not be contributing to the ponds. Mr. Schwartz commented that the Lakes Project in Blaine is a good analogue to this project. He recommended that the developer and the city reach out to those that worked on the Lakes to learn from any issues that arose on that project, such as environmental concerns or issues with the general layout. Mr. Peterson responded with some projects that he had been involved with that had similar conditions and concerns, noting specifically the buffer distances at rear yards abutting stormwater ponds. Mr. Sullivan asked if wetland bank credit purchases would be required for this project. Mr. Peterson responded that this would be looked at after the delineation has been completed. Mr. Sullivan asked if the stormwater discharges to Marshan Lake, and for clarification on water movement between the site and Marshan Lake. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 7 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson confirmed that water eventually reaches Marshan Lake, and noted the importance of having functional native plant buffers because Marshan Lake is an impaired water. Mr. Schwartz asked if there were any improvements that could be done to incorporate the pipeline into the greenway corridor, potentially with acquisition of easements. Mr. Nelson responded that options for incorporating the pipeline into greenway corridor were under discussion. Mrs. Buchmeier wanted to know if the plan had undergone any significant changes since the original version in 2006. Mr. Peterson confirmed that the project has undergone significant change. The plan in 2006 included an additional 500 acres north of Main Street. The current development is projected to be a gross 160 acres as opposed to what would have been a 650 acre development. Mr. Sullivan made a MOTION to forward the Robinson Property Concept Plan with the listed recommendations and Environmental Board comments. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motioned carried 5-0. VII. UPDATES A. 2021 Preparing for EAB Grant Mr. Nelson provided an update on the work being done as part of the city’s emerald ash borer response. This includes removals of boulevard ash trees, replacement of these trees with a diverse mix of species, and insecticide injections that allow for staggered removals over time. City Council approved entering into a contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on December 13th, 2021 to accept grant funds. Grant funds will cover 60 contracted tree removals and stump grinding, 91 bare root replacement trees, and planting supplies. Removals will begin as early as January 4th. The City grant fund match will be in the form of labor and staff time. Mr. Schwartz asked if the trees on the inventory map shown were all boulevard trees or specifically ash. Mr. Nelson responded that the map shown is all of the boulevard trees in the areas of the grant work, noting that there are less than 300 ash trees left on boulevards. This grant will help get the number of trees under 200. Mrs. Buchmeier asked about how often this grant can be applied for. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 8 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson responded that the grant is not always available, but after this round we will be in a better position to to solve the rest of the problem. Mr. Parson asked why the specific number of thirty trees are being removed each year. Mr. Nelson responded that thirty trees coincided with both the forestry budget’s ability to afford replacement trees as well as the schedule of Public Works staff. Mr. Schwartz asked about how removals are prioritized. Mr. Nelson responded that it depends on what is around the tree. Trees that are standing dead with no target in a natural area are lower than boulevard trees that are potential hazards. Areas like natural parks and reserves are assessed on their relation to public access and congregation of people. Mr. Parsons asked about tree injections. Mr. Nelson explained the tree injections and how they are part of the EAB response plan. Mr. Nelson has been working with a seasonal hire to update the Dept. of Ag. EAB quarantine map, which helps to explain why the trees are being removed as fast as possible. Mr. Sullivan asked if the mulching is done by the City staff or by the contractors, noting that a lot of trees can be killed by improper mulching. He also asked about stump grinding. Mr. Nelson responded that early pruning and mulching is all done by staff. Stump grinding is done as well. He noted that new trees won’t be planted in the old tree location. The contractor is responsible for grinding stumps on trees they remove. B. Water Quality Project Updates Mr. Nelson provided a brief overview of three water quality projects currently undergoing evaluation. Additional information will be provided to the Environmental Board in future updates. 1. The City is working with the Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO) to prepare a feasibility study for a water quality improvement project for the drainage area northeast of Amelia Lake. 2. The City’s Natural Resources Revolving Fund Plan identified potential wetland bank sites in the City. Staff has been evaluating opportunities to establish a new wetland bank on the Winter property. Enivornmental Board January 4, 2022 Page 9 DRAFT MINUTES 3. Staff is evaluating a potential water quality improvement project involving wetland restoration at Shenandoah Park. A wetland delineation was performed and staff are in the process of preparing a proposal for a feasibility study. C. Recycling Updates Mr. Davis provided an update on the December Recycling Saturday event. Participation was particularly slow. Anoka County is planning to hold a Fix-it Clinic at Public Works (1189 Main Street) on February 5th, 2022. Mr. Sullivan inquired about promotional material for the clinic. Mr. Davis responded that the County will handle promotional material, but the City will update their Facebook page and other social media. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know if the Environmental Board will hear an update on recycling tonnage and goals. Mr. Davis and Mr. Nelson responded that they will have an update for the Board at the January 26th, 2022 meeting. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Cavegn. Motion carried 5 - 0.