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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230830 EB Meeting Minutes Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DATE: August 30, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 8:20 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn Lindsay Buchmeier, Jonathan Parsons MEMBERS ABSENT: Alex Schwartz, Shawn Holmes, Julia Nelson STAFF PRESENT: Andrew Nelson, Dana Rozan 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Sullivan called the Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on August 30, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the June 28, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Ms. Buchmeier. Motion carried 4 – 0. 5. OPEN MIKE Chair Sullivan declared open mike at 6:32 p.m. There was no one present for open mike therefore it was closed at 6:32 p.m. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Lake Amelia Ditch Study, Tom Hoffman, WSB Tom Hoffman, Engineering Technician with WSB and Associates, summarized the results of the study and discussed the recommended next steps that follow from the study. Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 2 Lake Amelia ditch is a private ditch with no easements and no public access, but it does act as a public drainage to the lake. Recently, there has been flooding in the ditch corridor due to limited maintenance and failure of private culverts. This has raised concerns regarding long-term management of the system as development pressure increases upstream. Mr. Hoffman explained what some of the short-term maintenance plans are in order to control the flow of the water to decrease floods. One of the ways is to implement short- term easements so that engineers and maintenance workers have access to the ditch. It was recommended to put a long-term easement in the future because then they would be able to access the ditch at any time in order to maintain a steady flow. This project mainly looks at cleaning out the ditch so that there is less sediment going into Lake Amelia. While doing so, there would be a restored wetland, improved floodplain management, and the removal of sediment going into the lake. The board discussed where the ditch is located and the basis of the project, to which Mr. Hoffman clarified, the project is to clean up the water so that it flows from point A to Lake Amelia better, and to maintain the ditch. 7. ACTION ITEMS A. Glamos Wire CUP Outdoor Storage Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented his staff report. The City received a conditional use permit and site plan review for Open and Outdoor Storage at 2300 Main Street. The proposed plan includes construction of additional outdoor open storage space south of the existing storage area. There are plans for tree preservation and landscaping to restore canopy and provide additional screening for the new storage area. Staff recommended that the Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for 2300 Main Street be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council with the following comments: 1. Emerald Ash Borer infested trees must be removed. 2. The MN DNR flyer and factsheet about Blanding’s turtle must be provided to all contractors working on the site, and any sightings of this species must be reported to City staff so that the turtles can be safely relocated. 3. A vegetation management plan will be required for the berm and any additional exposed soil resulting from the unpermitted grading activities. DRAFT MINUTES Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 3 4. Erosion blanket must be a natural net variety. 5. Additional shrubs will be required to cover 50% of the west perimeter fence that faces Otter Lake Road. 6. The provided Tree Protection Detail must be replaced with the City Tree Protection Fence Detail on Sheet L2.01. All trees planned for preservation will require tree protection fence to be installed in accordance with this detail. Ms. Buchmeier made a motion to approve the recommendations along with the fence height suggestions. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 – 0. B. Natural Landscapes Ordinance Amendment Mr. Nelson clarified that this is not an action item, but an update that the City will be amending ordinance to reflect the State Statute regarding natural landscapes. This item was just an update, so the Board made no motion. C. Artificial Turf Ordinance Amendment Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented his staff report. 75 Robinson Drive did some work that removed sod and soil in preparation for installed synthetic turf. The current ordinance does not currently allow synthetic turf to be used as landscape cover. Mr. Nelson quoted the ordinance, which said, “There is no exception for synthetic turf”. The applicant submitted a proposed amendment to current ordinance language that would allow synthetic turf. Mr. Nelson went over the pros and cons of the use of synthetic turf as landscape. The biggest areas of concerns include the permeability of the product, hazardous decomposition products, and the product ending up in landfills. Troy Johnson, with ForeverLawn Minnesota Inc, would recommend having an ordinance that allows synthetic turf as landscape so that companies would install it correctly. Mr. Johnson stated that Lino Lakes would be the first city in MN to allow turf as residential landscaping, if they approve. Regarding the concern about fires starting, synthetic grass is tested like carpet; the fire would not spread if it were set on fire; the turf would melt and go out in the same place. Ms. Cavegn clarified that if the turf caught on fire there would be air quality emissions issues. DRAFT MINUTES Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 4 Mr. Johnson stated that the turf and underlying soil is permeable due to the gravel that is set down underneath the turf. Ms. Cavegn clarified that there would still be less soil stabilization than roots would provide. Chair Sullivan asked if water gets through during rain, Mr. Johnson replied yes water passes through 30 inches per hour. Chair Sullivan also asked if children can play on this during a hot day. Mr. Johnson explained that yes but turf does get hot but he has not received any complaints, and would suggest installing it in a shady area. John Lipinski, the homeowner, clarified that he wanted the turf in order to use less water due to the manganese levels. He also explained that 55 gallons of water per square foot per year is used by sod/grass, therefore he wanted turf as a water conservation measure. Mr. Lipinski described the difficulties he had had with trying to grow grass over the poor quality soil that was placed during the construction process. Ms. Cavegn stated that as the Environmental Board they are looking for the most environmentally friendly option. She also stated many concerns about the product being made from plastic and technology created from soybean plants has similar effects to accelerated petroleum production. She also expressed concerns about the plastic particles in the water runoff, as well as concerns about the microbiome of the soil because there will be no life there. Mr. Nelson pointed out that if this is approved then it will be allowed everywhere unless it is restricted in ordinance to specific areas or specified portions of a lot. Mr. Nelson clarified that staff would not recommend this to be used wide spread, but it could work in a small area. Mr. Parsons agreed with the use of it for a dog park area, or a high traffic medium, but does not agree with front yards. Ms. Buchmeier asked for clarification about how there are other places in Minnesota use turf, but no cities have ordinances that allow it. Mr. Johnson replied that some cities still allow it because it is permeable, and said that some cities do not have any rules regarding turf so they allow it. Chair Sullivan clarified that there is not a way to recycle the turf at least in MN. Mr. Johnson agreed, but they ship it out to other states that recycle it. Ms. Buchmeier asked how long does the turf last once it is installed. Mr. Johnson replied they have a standard of 8-year warranty, but the lifespan is about 15-20 years. Chair Sullivan recommended no, but is okay in certain locations like spots that grass never grows, but not a whole lawn. DRAFT MINUTES Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 5 Mr. Parsons recommended no to widespread areas, but in high traffic areas it could be considered. Ms. Buchmeier agreed with Chair Sullivan and Mr. Parsons. If it were to be allowed then it would be in small areas but with clearly defined areas or portions of lots. Ms. Cavegn recommended no because it is harmful to the environment. She stated a firm no because natural grass is important for soil health and it is ecologically and environmentally best to grow natural grass. 8. ADJOURN Ms. Cavegn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Motion was seconded by Ms. Buchmeier. Motion carried 4 – 0. Respectfully submitted, Dana Rozan – Office Specialist DRAFT MINUTES