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Home My WebLink About20240529 Environmental Board MinutesEnvironmental Board May 29, 2024 Page 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Sullivan called the Environmental meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on May 29, 2024. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENT (sign in prior to start of meeting per Rules of Decorum) Matt Duffy, 7760 France Ave S, attorney for Zikar Holdings. He requested that Environmental Board member Ms. Nelson recuse herself from voting on any matter that may pause the Madinah Lakes development. Dr. Abdirashid Shire, 2150 Watermark Way, wanted to remind everyone to be fair and provide constructive feedback on any development. The Watermark development took 4-5 years to build and is much larger than Madinah Lakes, and that development took so long because residents also did not want another large development going in, but there were not any moratoriums placed. Jaylani Hussein, 2511 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, agreed with the previous speaker. He wanted the development application to be treated fairly and as the same as any other. He also wanted to bring the comments on social media to the Board’s attention. DATE: May 29, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 8:53 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Shawn Holmes, Julia Nelson, Alex Schwartz Lindsay Buchmeier, Jonathan Parsons MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Andrew Nelson, Katie Larsen, Dana Rozan Environmental Board May 29, 2024 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES Suleiman Adan, 2511 East Frankin Avenue, Minneapolis, he wanted to advise the Board to judge the project on the facts and merits, and not on the false narratives and harmful stereotypes that were shared. John Grattan, 202 Elm St, wanted to discuss the environmental impacts of the Madinah Lakes proposed development such as, the loss of greenspace, soil and water quality, groundwater depletion, habitat destruction, air quality, urban heat island effect, water runoff, and noise pollution. Salat Tuke, 14171 Drake St NW, Andover, wanted to express concerns for a fair process in favor of the Madinah Lakes project. Tim Randall, 458 Main St, expressed concerns for traffic control and cleanliness of the community if the Madinah Lakes development proceeds. Abdul Aleem, 128 2nd Lot, Blaine, appreciated that the proposed mosque is closer to many families than other ones. He also expressed concerns about the moratorium and would rather the Council initiate an AEW process as it allows a healthy environment as well as a diverse community. Mohammed Islam, 2815 117th Ln, Blaine, requested that the established processes on developments should be followed for the proposed project. Asking that the Boards follow the procedures and reduce the spread of misinformation. Kris Iverson, 352 Carl St, asked what effect the dewatering process will have on private wells if the development proceeds. Angela Coil, 7672 Sunset Ave, wanted to go over the definition of moratorium. She also wanted to express concerns about the way the developers went when proposing the project. Hodman Shire, 2150 Watermark Way, wanted to share that an environmental impact not mentioned are cars; people driving long distances to get to mosque. Expressed in favor of the development. She wanted to address many environmental concerns of other residents. Randy Rennaker, 379 Carl St, asked how the development will impact their homes, families, and life. Also asked if well owners are affected by water concerns, then who will pay for the wells to be prepared. Brian Robinson, 310 Main St, wanted to share his thoughts and clarify that there is only one proposed development on the lot. Environmental Board May 29, 2024 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Schwartz made a motion to close the public comments. Seconded by Ms. Cavegn. Motion carried 7 – 0. 4. SETTING THE AGENDA: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items Ms. Holmes made a motion to approve the May 29, 2024 agenda. Ms. Cavegn seconded. Motion carried 7 – 0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 24, 2024 Ms. Buchmeier made a motion to approve the April 24, 2024 minutes. Ms. Nelson seconded. Motion carried 7 – 0. 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Madinah Lakes PUD Concept Plan Review Mr. Nelson introduced Farraz Yussuf to present an introduction. Mr. Yussuf, Zikar Holdings, Mr. Dovolis, DJR Architecture Inc, and Mr. Johnson, Sathre Bergquist Inc, presented an overview of the project to the Board. Mr. Nelson presented his staff report. The Board discussed the recommendations with the following comments: Ms. Holmes asked if there is a different land use ordinance for mixed housing and commercial use for the lot. Mr. Grochala clarified that there is an area on the site that allows for multifamily and commercial use. It is consistent with the 2040 comprehensive plan, although it is still limited, for example, they could not put a gas station. Ms. Holmes referred to the environmental impact concerns that many residents had and was concerned that the commercial unit density is high. Ms. Nelson asked how many people would be living in the development. Mr. Grochala clarified that the city does not run population reports to show how many people would be living there. However, the average household size is 2.83. Mr. Schwartz commented on concerns about cumulative impacts that many developments have. Also, he expressed support for an Alternative Urban Environmental Board May 29, 2024 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Areawide Review (AUAR) to be submitted by every development in the northwest quadrant of the city and it should be a 15th recommendation. Chair Sullivan asked who completes the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). Mr. Grochala replied that the City Engineer reviews the worksheet and approves it to go out for public comment. Some EAW may develop into Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). This development is specific to an EAW. The council directed staff for a moratorium in the northwest quadrant to hold off on any projects to conduct more studies in some areas for this reason. Chair Sullivan asked if there is a map that shows water runoff from the site into Marshan Lake. Mr. Grochala replied Ditch 10-22-32 meets branch 2 to Carl St across Behm Century Farm through Molin Concrete and parallel to correctional facility crosses 35W and then meanders into Marshan Lake. Mr. Schwartz asked about recommendations 5, 8, 9, and 10 for semantic clarification. He also wanted to recommend an emphasis that the ditches running along the perimeters must be filled and mitigated in recommendation 11. He also suggested that the infrastructure plans include any recent state law changes, which would allow micro-unit dwellings on the development site. Ms. Buchmeier asked if the past recommendations for Promenade were included in these recommendations. Mr. Nelson replied yes that the previous Promenade recommendations are repeated in this project along with greenway recommendations. Ms. Holmes supported Mr. Schwartz recommendation 15 to require an AUAR. Mr. Schwartz made a motion to approve the 14 recommendations by staff, as well as the inclusion of recommendation 15 which states that an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) must be performed for the entire Northwest quadrant of Lino Lakes, an area defined as west of 4th Avenue, south of Pine Street, north of Carl Street and east of Sunset Avenue. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 – 0. 7. ADJOURN Ms. Holmes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Environmental Board May 29, 2024 Page 5 DRAFT MINUTES Motion was seconded by Mr. Schwartz Motion carried 7 – 0. Respectfully submitted, Dana Rozan – Office Specialist