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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231025 EB Meeting Minutes November 29,2023 Environmental Board Page 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DATE: October 25, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 7:54 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Shawn Holmes,Julia Nelson Lindsay Buchmeier,Jonathan Parsons MEMBERS ABSENT: Alex Schwartz STAFF PRESENT: Andrew Nelson, Dana Rozan 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL , Chair Sullivan called the Environmental meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on October 25, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGEN The agenda was approved as pre ed. Chair Sullivan added discussion Item 7B, a brief overview of a composting program in Italy. /� 4. YROVAL INUTES Ms. u de a motion to approve the September 27, 2023 meeting minutes. Moti was s onded by Mr. Parsons. Motion carried 6—0. 5. OPEN]MIKE Chair Sullivan declared open mike at 6:33 p.m. There was no one present for open mike therefore it was closed at 6:33 p.m. 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Natures Refuge North Concept Plan November 29,2023 Environmental Board Page 2 Mr. Nelson, Environmental Coordinator,presented the staff report. M/I Homes submitted a land use application for a Planned Unit Development, which includes 108 single-family residential lots on the approximately 59.3 acres site. Approximately 30 acres of open space will be provided. Mr. Nelson had seven recommendations for the Board: 1. A new rare plant and animal survey must be completed for the pro • Ms. Nelson asked who identifies a rare plant or animal. Nelson explained that the applicant will have to hire a qualified company t erfo he surveys. 2. If rare species are found on site, design layout should be iseh to a mpac to these species. 3. If rare species are found on site and impacts are u oida lude featu that minimize impacts (ex: buffers around rare plant loca ns fo y that can be preserved, surmountable curbs to facilitate B ding's le movement, restoration of undisturbed project areas). its y be required for any impacts to rare species. 4. Coordinate with the Rare Plant Res gr ontact Taylor at Anoka Conservation District) to allow for ansport o rare plan s for which impact is unavoidable to a donor site, such as ollan's Pa Wetland Bank in Lino Lakes. 5. A tree survey and inventor must be completed. • Ms. Holmes asked if there are modificati that could be made to the proposal for better retention of the older trees. Mr. Nelson explained there would be trees in enhancement areas and depending on the area; they have to provide a certain amoun'to of trees proportionally to the amount of trees removed. Mr. Nelson also suggested having more conversation on this when the tree survey is submitted. • eier expressed Ancerns for what would happen if the private lot ers r ove mitigation trees. Mr. Nelson replied that mitigation trees would be pla protected easement areas and outlots rather than on the single-family lots. 6. Preserve as many trees as possible, particularly along the west and north perimeters*,Fece iM to provide buffer and screening between project site and existing reI lots. Tree protection zones in accordance with the City Tree Prote 'on Detail must be shown for all trees that are being preserved. These s must be shown on the Tree Preservation Plan and Grading Plans submittr t the Preliminary Plat phase. 7. Consider restoration of upland and wetland areas as a community benefit. • Chair Sullivan asked what would be examples of restoration work in upland and wetland areas. Mr. Nelson explained that sometimes the developer would receive wetland credit if they do restoration, or sometimes they create wetland on-site. If they were to do restoration work such as invasive species management in upland areas that would provide community benefit. DRAFT MINUTES November 29,2023 Environmental Board Page 3 Chair Sullivan expressed concerns about the pumping of water that was done in the current development in order to build. He would hope that they would not have to pump in the North development as well. Chair Sullivan would like to add a comment to the recommendations as a number 8 for Planning and Zoning Board and City Council to recognize the Board has concerns regarding the number of tree removals, potential rare plant and animal impacts, and wetland impacts on the site. The Board agreed. Motion made by Chair Sullivan along with recommendation 8. tion seco by Ms. Holmes. Motion carried 6—0. B. Lyngblomsten Amendment#2 Mr. Nelson, Environmental Coordinator,presente t staf A. Lyngblomsten submitted a request to ame UD Preliminary an and Final Plan. Lyngblomsten requested the proposed e along the north lot line not be required. Mr. Nelson had one recommendati for the , which was to forward the PUD Amendment to Planning and Zonin Board and Council with the comment: 1. If additional trees44boeplanted al o h lot line, Black Hills spruce, balsam fir, and white cedar would beg od choices. If white cedar is selected, a means to prevent deer e is recomm� Mr. Nelsoo rifted to the Board t)the four owners who decided to omit the fence decided o re that wildlife would be able to wander freely. Ms. Holme essed con*ms that if one homeowner would get the fence and the rs would n nd that it would look off. Mr. en at the entire fence would be omitted with the proposed amendment, depending on re approval. Also, additional trees would be added as a substitute to provide screening in targeted areas to address feedback from residents on both sides of the property line. Ms. Buchmeier asked why the sidewalk near the pickle ball court extends to County Road J. She expressed concerns that it might mistakenly draw the public to this private amenity. Mr. Fenlon responded that the sidewalk was added after a suggestion made by City staff and it serves more as an accessibility route. Motion was made by Ms. Holmes and seconded by Ms. Cavegn. Motion carried 6—0. DRAFT MINUTES November 29,2023 Environmental Board Page 4 7. UPDATES A. Forestry Updates—Ash Removals Mr. Nelson gave the Board an update on the Ash Removals for Winter 2023-2024. Carr's Tree Service will remove 48 EAB infested ash trees along South Reshanau Estates and Birchwood Acres Trails. The City Parks crew will remove 160 EAB infested ash trees orthpoi ark Trail. As time permits, staff also planned to remove limited vard tree o out the City. B. Italy Composting and Rec clin Proce Chair Sullivan provided the Board with observations about a composting and recycling programs in Italy. General discussion followed about this program and takeaways that could improve how recycling programs are managed in Lino Lakes. 8. ADJOURN 1 Ms. Holmes made a motion to adjourn the Peeting at 7:54 p.m. Motion was seconded by Ms. Buchmeier. Motion carried 6—0. Respec lly submitted, Dana o —Office Specialist DRAFT MINUTES