Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/2021 Environmental Board Minutes APPROVED 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 6:34 p.m. on August 25, 2021. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan approved the Agenda as stated. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 28, 2021 Mrs. Holmes made a MOTION to approve the Minutes. Mr. Schwartz seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. V. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:37 p.m. Open Mike declared closed at 6:37 p.m. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Lake Amelia Woods Mr. Nelson presented the staff report to the Environmental Board. The applicant, Thomas Budzynski, proposes to subdivide the existing property east of Amelia Lake at 6149 20th Avenue. The site is two parcels, and zoned RX (rural executive). The staff DATE : August 25, 2021 TIME STARTED : 6:34 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:40 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Alex Schwartz, Shawn Holmes MEMBERS ABSENT : Ella McNulty, Cassondra Cavegn STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Phillip Davis Environmental Board August 25, 2021 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES report included a detailed description of the site’s characteristics, including soils, significant resources, stormwater management and drinking water protection, wetlands, and a tree preservation plan among others. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following recommendations: 1. A survery for rare, unique, and significant resources should be performed. This survey should include a data request to the MN DNR for Natural Heritage Information System data for this site. The survey should also include information on presence and/or extent of any MN DNR listed threatened, endangered, or special concern species. If any of the aforementioned species are identified on the site, their locations should be mapped as this may impact future work on the lots (lake access locations, for example). 2. Buffers for wetlands and shore of Amelia Lake should be established in accordance with Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO) recommendations. This may impact the placement of the house on lot 2. The driveway placement on lot 2 may require a variance to be obtained from the Planning and Zoning Board. 3. Tree protection fence appears to encroach on protected root zone areas on trees on all four lots. Trees that have more than 30 percent of their root zones impacted shall be counted as removed and must be mitigated for at applicable rates unless they are in basic use areas. 4. Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) appear on the list of trees intended to be saved. These trees should be removed if they are in the vicinity of other planned removals. Mitigation trees for removals of these species will not be required. 5. Red maple and sugar maple be removed from the suggested trees to replant with list on the Tree Mitigation Plan. 6. Stormwater basins are not part of the Basic Use Areas. Trees that are planned to be removed in these areas must be mitigated for at applicable rates. Mr. Schwartz inquired if this site was part the greenway system of Lino Lakes, and what would happen after a survey of rare and unique species was conducted. Mr. Nelson confirmed that the portions of the east shore of Lake Amelia is located within the greenway system. Mr. Nelson also noted that if endangered and/or threatened species were identified, it may impact how work is performed on the site. If special concern species were found, that should be communicated to homeowners as it may impact where they should establish lake accesses. Mrs. Holmes wanted to note that the tree removal is an area of concern. Having a large number of trees with only 11 being designated to be mitigated for is alarming. Mr. Nelson noted that there may be more mitigation trees required for removals planned in the area of the stormwater basins as they are not considered part of the Basic Use Areas. Environmental Board August 25, 2021 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mrs. Holmes noted that the Environmental Board does not hear what happens with the projects after they proceed to the next steps and that she would like to be provided with an update. Mr. Nelson responded that an update will be provided to the Board. Mr. Sullivan asked for clarification on the process, whether the project would come back to the Environmental Board, and if the Board was making a motion on the project. Mr. Nelson responded that the recommendations of the Environmental Board are forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and ultimately to the City Council, who will make a decision on the project. Mr. Sullivan noted that usually the Board has a vote, but that it did not seem to be the case on this project. Mr. Nelson noted that the Board would not be voting to approve or deny the project, but would be making recommendations that are passed on to the Planning and Zoning Board, who also make recommendations which are passed on to the City Council. Mr. Sullivan recounted the history of the property near Lake Amelia and proposed uses for the lake property. He mentioned it is a DNR environmental lake, meaning that residents are not allowed to use the lake for recreational and boating purposes. Art Hawkins, who was a true environmental friend to Lino Lakes, worked with the DNR to restore the lake to its current condition. Protecting the lake as much as possible is very important. Mrs. Holmes noted there is one property that has access to the west side of the lake and uses it. Mr. Sullivan noted that having water showing up in the soil borings sounded like a problem. He also noted the importance of the buffers and minimizing use of chemicals in backyards. Mr. Sullivan also noted that he would like to the see the Stormwater Management Plan so he can make a recommendation on movement of water on the site and how it is being treated. He also noted it seemed unlikely that the Board would ever see a stormwater plan. He would also like to see VLAWMO reports and permits from BWSR, but noted the Board would have to believe these organizations are looking at the project and the project would not go forward without their approval. Mr. Sullivan mentioned the loss of trees, the potential need for a sound barrier, and that he would have liked to see the wetland report on wetland D. Mr. Schwartz stated he believes this project is particularly important, due to its inclusion in the greenway system, proximity to Lake Amelia, and Art Hawkin’s efforts to restore Environmental Board August 25, 2021 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES the lake. Recommendations should be made that preserve this area as much as possible, with special attention paid to wetland areas and areas that have species of special significance along the lake. He also noted that seeing the project only once with many of the reports not included or pending review by other agencies makes it difficult to make recommendations. Mr. Schwartz also noted having executive-style homes close to the interstate noise would make for difficult sales. Mr. Schwartz mentioned the rare, unique, and significance species survey would be the most important consideration. Mr. Nelson responded the DNR would be the authority involved if such species were found or impacted on site. Mr. Nelson responded to these concerns with a history of the previous plans for the Lake Amelia property. The property was going to be used for a large apartment building and senior center. The current project will have less impact than the ones that did not go forward, and many of the protections can be accomplished with a combination of wetland buffers and setbacks. Mr. Sullivan asked what future property owners would be doing with the lake access. Mr. Sullivan asked if the public had any comments they would like to make. The developer, Tom Budzynski, recounted some of the history of the site and the potential for about 300 units. He noted four houses on forty acres leaves the site wild and you would have to go up north to find lots with similar character. He also commented use of the lake would be low intensity, such as fishing and canoeing. The lake is shallow enough that putting in larger motorized boats would probably not be feasible. Mr. Schwartz asked if the trees as seen from the road would be impacted. Mr. Budzynski mentioned they want to preserve as many trees as possible. The engineer, Kent Brander, mentioned the stormwater treatment on the site, including the basins, is high level treatment and better than you would typically see on similar sites. Members of the Environmental Board discussed adding two additional recommendations: 7. Motorized boats should not be allowed on Lake Amelia. 8. The Environmental Board makes all recommendations assuming that all studies conducted by government agencies come back with positive results. Mrs. Holmes MOTIONED to approve the staff recommendations and additional Environmental Board recommendations. Mr. Schwartz seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Environmental Board August 25, 2021 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES VII. UPDATES A. General Updates Mr. Davis provided an update on Anoka County’s Solid Waste Abatement Advisory Team meeting on August 25, 2021. The next meeting will be held on October 27, 2021. He discussed the Recycling Ambassador program conducted by Anoka County and provided the Environmental Board with information on how the program works and how to sign up. Mr. Davis and Mr. Nelson have completed The Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) Report for the months of January to June 2021 and will be hearing back from the County some time during or after October 2021. Mr. Sullivan inquired about the City’s progress on the County’s recycling goals. The City was at roughly 86% of the 1st half of 2021 tonnage goal, but staff expects these numbers to increase with addition of organics bins and weekly parks recycling pick up. Mr. Sullivan inquired about the City’s efforts to improve business recycling outreach. Mr. Davis responded that he sent the County a list of all businesses within the Lino Lakes, and the County will be sending outreach postcards to all addresses on the list. Mr. Nelson stated this is the extent of the work staff can do towards business recycling, as the SCORE reimbursement funds are to be used for residential recycling programs and the city would not be compensated for efforts on business recycling. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Motion was supported by Mrs. Holmes. Motion carried 3-0.