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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/26/2020 Environmental Board Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING ZOOM I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Sullivan called the Lino Lakes Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. on August 26, 2020. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved as presented. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 29, 2020 Ms. Andrzejewski made a MOTION to approve the July 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Schwartz. Motion carried 6 - 0. V. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:33 p.m. Open Mike was closed at 6:34 p.m. DATE : August 26, 2020 TIME STARTED : 6:31 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:45 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Paula Andrzejewski, Eric Flower, Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty, Alex Schwartz MEMBERS ABSENT : Wendy Nelson STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Connor Kvendru, Janele Waterman Environmental Board August 26, 2020 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Meeting Attendance and Quorum Mr. Sullivan did a brief overview of Chapter 217 in Code of Ordinances which goes over the duties of the Environmental Board as well as the meeting attendance and quorum requirements. B. Land Use Application Process Mr. Sullivan did a quick summary of the land use application process and cost of different fees. He would like to thank Ms. Larson for the work in putting the information together. VII. ACTION ITEMS A. Planned Unit Development General Concept Plan Review for Burque Property Mr. Nelson described the plan unit developmentment of four parcels into 102 single family homes and a 50 unit senior housing building that would be located directly south of the Northpointe subdivision. These parcels have 23.01 acres of developable land, 34.61acres of wetland and buffers, and 6.29 acres of street ROW(street right of way). This project would involve rezoning parcels from rural to residential. Most of the site has been used for agriculture in the past. There are opportunities for wetland restoration associated with this project. Storm water on the site heads south to Amelia Lake through private ditches. Storm water management plan will have to be submitted. The project will require an NPDES permit and SWPPP. The site falls within the flood management zone. Flood zone should not encroach into lots if feasible. A wetland delineation will be required and Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) is responsible for administering the Wetland Conservation Act. VLAWMO will provide decisions regarding any wetland impacts that are proposed to occur during the course of development. The wetlands are considered high priority in the Resource Management Plan. This project should include wetland buffers of 50 feet on average with a 25 foot minimum. There maybe opportunities to restore hydrology on the site by minmizing runoff to the private ditch. Environmental Board August 26, 2020 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES The northeast portion of the site containing the senior housing building falls within the AUAR boundary. There is an area on the site that is part of the City’s Greenway System in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and that should be established. A detailed tree inventory and preservation plan will have to be submitted and as well as a detailed landscape plan. Mr. Eric Luth, civil engineer with Sambatek, Inc. followed up with his concerns - The majority of the trees are low quality trees, but will do a full tree survey - Wetlands in our opinon in our review is low quality wetlands. So wondering what the reason for the 50 foot wide buffer, the development to the north does not seem to have the same setback. Is the buffer to a builing, to a lot line or what. - Also the trail adds another layer of difficulty. Mr. Grochala stated that several years ago the City partnered with Rice Creek Watershed District and for the comprehensive wetland management plan that covered the entire city. Assessments of all the wetlands and was looked at from a number of factors such aswhether they were under single ownership, importance for flood management, their importance as a water quality corridor, storm water retention, wildlife habitat, soil characteristics and so forth. This area was identified as having high priority wetlands. Given that it is in our greenway corridor and a high priority wetland in our comprehensive wetland management plan it would include a requested to follow buffer setback Mr. Luth would like to have further discussion about #3 the wetlands buffer requirements Mr. Grochala since developer is looking for flexibility in their design to allow for smaller lot size in our typical R1. Smaller lot size as an offset to the open space requirement. Put some of these trade offs in the concept level. And let the designers figure out best way to manage it. Mr. Schwartz stated he knows the importance of greenways corridor and also understand the restrain of having the setbacks or buffers. If the city can give a bit on the buffer and builder can restore or improve the wetlands, that would be an equitable trade off. And would like this to be added to the recommendations. Ms. Holmes would like clariffication on the board reviewing a concept plan. She wanted to know if this plan will come back to us. Environmental Board August 26, 2020 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala noted that this is a general concept plan review, since the developer looking for flexibility in our normal standards we recommend that they go through this process of a concept plan first to get comments from the boards and City Council and the developer will see if they want to move forward. If the developer files a formal submittal and decides to move ahead the Enivormental Board will see the plan again. Ms. Andrzejewski stated that maybe taking into consideration of narrowing of streets in order to help with 50ft setback. Mr. Flower it would be helpful from the board’s perceptive if we had the current average wetland setback. And then we would have something to look back on. Also Mr. Flower asked if Mr. Luth was concerned about the greenway and trail system. Mr. Luth said the trail is new to him but feels his client will be open to the trail and he belives it is a good ammenity but his question is the size of the wetland has gotten bigger and the labeled high priority. Mr. Flower mentioned it would be helpful to have what the current average is of the setback based this plan and the calulations of what the developer has. So we all have a good sense of what we are talking about regarding wetlands. Also the wetlands and greenways are a great asset to the city. Also a noise study will be done. Ms. Andzeskwi made a Motion that we forward the general concept plan review with the all the Environmental Boards recommendations. Ms. McNelly seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. VIII. UPDATES A. Recycling Updates Mr. Kvendru stated that Lino Park now has an organics sign posted. Anoka County sent out a flyer for residents to sign up for the Organics program with the City and at least 40 households have done so. B. Other Updates Solid Waste Abatement Team meeting was held earlier. It is all the cities getting together and go over the 2021 funding. And discuss recycling and education information. Environmental Board August 26, 2020 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES No Fall Recycling Day but we will continue with Saturday Recycling Days Mrs. Andrzejewski had asked about the oak wilt and trenching the trees. Mr. Nelson mentioned that he will be doing a tree survey and as far as drenching it is looked at site by site base. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Andrzejewski made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion was supported by Ms. Holmes. Motion carried 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Fogarty