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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/31/2000 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : May 31, 2000 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:57 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Maurene Davidson, Amy Donlin (arrived at 6:39 p.m.), Rod Kukonen, Scott Lanyon, Dave Mach, Teresa O'Connell, and Mike Trehus MEMBERS ABSENT : None. Staff members present: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Lanyon called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. e. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 29, 2000 - Davidson asked if the Chair and Vice Chair were elected or nominated. Asleson advised that the Board elects its :own Chair and Vice Chair. Davidson asked that the meeting minutes reflect they were elected. Davidson noted that Lanyon is referred to as "Acting Chair" but she thought he was elected as the Chair. Asleson, explained that it was decided that Lanyon would be the Acting Chair until he determined whether he could accommodate that responsibility along with his work commitments. Then the issue would be raised again. Acting Chair Lanyon stated this is correct and suggested it be addressed later in the meeting. Kukonen moved to approve the March 29, 2000 meeting minutes as amended above. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. April 26, 2000. - Kukonen requested a correction to Page 4, B, third paragraph, to indicate "Wetlands filter ..." rather than "Wetland filter ..." In response to Davidson regarding the preceding sentence, Asleson stated the minutes should indicate: "Houses are being built along the buffered areas and residents are starting to get concerned because fences are coming down." Donlin arrived at 6:39 p.m. Davidson moved to approve the April 26, 2000 meeting minutes as amended above. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 APPROVAL OF AGENDA In consideration of audience members, Asleson requested that Agenda Item 6A be considered following Item 4. The Board agreed. The following items were added to the meeting agenda: 8A. Tree Mitigation Negotiations 8B. Landscape Ordinance 8C. Lighting Ordinance The agenda was approved as amended above. CITIZEN COMMENTS Asleson noted the attendance of Nancy Klebba, interested resident'; and Naturalist at Tamarack Nature Center. No other comments were made. PROJECT REVIEW A. GM Development / Apollo Drive CUP / Stockpiles - Asleson explained the Apollo Business District is located on Apollo Drive. The grading area consideration is just south and west of the Correctional Facility. He noted -the letter from John Johnson, engineering consultant for G.M. Development, which describes the project request. G.M. Development would like to stockpile aggregate base material in an existing borrow pit on the northeast corner, fill an existing .pond and drainage swale, build a new pond and swale (includes a length of pipe),;raise some surface elevations on the south side of the project, and build a berm on the east side. John Johnson, en ineer for the applicant, presented an explanation of the background of the Apollo.;Busmess District and their attempt to develop the site. He explained that due to the low elevation,, they believe they have lost several potential sales. Because of that, they are proposing -a grading plan to import soils to bring the elevation up to a higher level. Mr. Johnson stated they would like to begin that process to import soils and also plan to undertake the drainage solutions necessary to serve this property, except for the far western edge. He stated they made application to the City to begin initial stockpiling which can be done up to 5,000 yards per parcel and then applied for a SUP to conduct the necessary grading and to exceed more than 5,000 yards. Mr. Johnson presented the proposed grading plan and explained the elevation changes that would occur. He requested the Environmental Board's review of this preliminary grading plan and to put into place drainage elements. Mr. Johnson reviewed the direction of drainage, existing storm sewer system, and NURP ponds. He stated they are attempting to install a good drainage system and understand staff has some different ideas 2 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 which they would like to discuss. Mr. Johnson noted the joint access points and advised of the County's restriction on access points and need to extend the culvert to get beyond the joint driveways. Mr. Johnson stated Mr. Uhde planted clover on the site several years ago and staff has indicated there are now areas of natural vegetation. Donlin requested an explanation of the location of this site in relationship to the proposed automobile site. Asleson pointed out the subject site. Donlin stated there is beautiful prairie bush clover on this site. Gary Uhde, representing G.M. Development, stated he planted the clover on the site. Asleson noted there are other plants as well on the site. Asleson stated this is a commercial/industrial area. He noted the location of the stockpile and stated there is nothing wrong with this request as long as the Rice Creek Watershed District engineers approve the request. Asleson explained that all the water from the subwatershed district ends up on this parcel before draining into Marshall Lake and noted the area that drainage will be captured prior to draining into the lake'. He used a map to identify the surrounding areas which drain to the subject site. Mr. Johnson added further details regarding the drainage areas and noted the area that is very flat. Asleson stated from the landscape scale`; standpoint, the applicant cannot stop the drainage from ending up on his site. He noted the NURP pond being proposed and suggestion to direct water toward the ponding areas ,Asleson stated that, perhaps, a biodiverse screen may be more acceptable than a large berm. He noted the location of a pipe that would be needed to direct drainage to the other, side of Apollo Drive, which would be quite expensive to construct. Discussion ensued regarding, the size of area to be buffered, sandy soil types, and need for mitigation. Asleson summarized the outstanding issues are the berm, biodiversity aspects, and the water surface treatment. Mr. Johnsonrreviewed the elevations of the site and Apollo Drive and stated he is not sure it is possible to place a pipe under Apollo Drive. Because of that, he is attempting to use what they have and create a pond to take care of what they need. He stated they cannot be the solution for the entire area which he estimated to be several hundred acres in size. Mr. Johnson stated he is willing to consider alternatives, if a feasible one is presented. Acting Chair Lanyon explained that sometimes ponds are designed with steep sides which do not add much to the community so if it is possible to develop a train of ponds to treat and retain water, it would be better. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Johnson stated the culvert under Apollo Drive is lower than the culvert under the freeway by several feet and the pond is several feet under that. The outlet will then go to another pond with a submerged outlet that is slightly lower than the elevation of Apollo Drive which will force the water to leave the site at a different rate than exists today. Trehus asked how much water will leave the site. Mr. Johnson stated he has made that calculation but does not have that information available tonight. He estimated 34.5 acres will be incorporated into this plan and drain through a ponding system and out of the site. The rest of the acreage is kept in on-site ponds. Mr. Johnson advised of the Rice Creek Watershed District restriction to not allow a higher run-off rate than exists today. He estimated there will be 60% impervious surface. Donlin asked how rain events would be handled that are similar to what occurred several years ago where there were three back-to-back 100 -year events. Mr. Johnson reviewed the criteria the ponds can handle and how that criteria is established Mach asked if staff's concern is the volume of water or quality of water. Asleson explained the NURP ponds are designed to store a volume of water for a certain rain event but after large rain events, there is a peak of discharge Davidson noted the NURP ponds remove about50% of the nutrients, whereas, it would be ideal to remove a higher percentage. Mr. Johnson explained that the;NURP pondsdo a good job of removing contaminants from low rain events, such as a two-inch rainfall. He then explained how a larger rain event impacts the NURP pond. He stated'their intention to address the drainage issues rather than expecting the indi'vidu'al parcel owners to do so. Donlin complimented .Mr. Johnson on his past work on these types of projects. Mach asked if there is potential for reconstruction of some of the ponds to function to hold the' flow and provide treatment. Asleson explained how the ponds have been designed to do both; Trehus stated he becomes concerned about any project that places more water into one of the City's lakes. Asleson asked if they can look at the feasibility of placing the pipe under Apollo Drive and possible methods of financing that cost. Acting Chair Lanyon asked if there is a way to have Pond 1 service more acreage to provide additional on-site infiltration, or if additional ponds can be placed. Donlin noted a lot of infiltration will occur since the ponds will have a sand bottom, at least until the pond silts up. Asleson commented on the importance of properly designing these ponds to assure infiltration. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Johnson commented on the natural water table in this area and impact caused by the construction of the road, deep sanitary sewer, and other projects. He advised that all of the ponds are in nonhydric soils and are dry because of the low water table level. Trehus asked about the suggestion of staff to connect Pond 1 to the other side of Apollo Drive. Mr. Johnson stated Pond 2 is on the south side of Apollo Drive and the proposal is to divert water from the freeway culvert to the west into Pond 2 until it is at an elevation to outflow into the culvert under Apollo Drive. Staff's proposal is to connect Pond 1 with Pond 2 via a pipe under Apollo Drive. Mach asked if there is an opportunity to install a cattail wetland to act as a filter to Marshan Lake. Asleson stated he understands the desire for a vegetated filter strip but he does not think there is an opportunity to do so. Mr. Johnson stated this site is a long way (three-quarters to one mile) upstream from that point and he does not know what is available from Lake Drive to Marshan Lake to provide additional treatment. Also, the area is very flat. Mach advised of a different project that successfully buffered '`sediments via a vegetative filter. Acting Chair Lanyon asked the members to address the berm issue. Donlin suggested plantings that do not require extensive watering such as prairie stock and oak trees. Davidson noted that residents would prefer a visual year-round screen. Asleson stated a plan can be presented to the residentsin that area including the option of a vegetation buffer with a wooded type of situation as well as prairie vegetation. He suggested oak trees planted in layers: O'Connell asked if a berm or vegetation would better block sounds. Mr. Johnson stated he does not know what the uses will be but the City has previously indicated the uses on that edge must be compatible with the residential homes to the west. He agreed that landscaping will provide a better visual buffer a story and a half off the ground than a berm would provide. Acting Chair Lanyon asked why there is a need to do anything on the berm at this point. Mr. Johnson stated they now have the opportunity to obtain fill material at a lower cost. Because of that, they would like the ability to accept that fill material and stockpile it until it is needed. Acting Chair Lanyon stated that depending on what is built, a berm may be better or a vegetative screen may be better. Until it is known what is being built, that decision can be delayed. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Mr. Uhde stated at the site plan review the Board will have the opportunity to identify acceptable plantings for the user to put into place. However, if the berm is not identified until that point, it would be quite costly to import the soil needed for the berm. Kukonen asked if the residents want a berm. Mr. Uhde stated when the property was rezoned they were told a berm would be put into place. Another neighborhood meeting will be held next Tuesday and the issue will be raised again. Acting Chair Lanyon stated he thinks there will be support for a visual barrier but he would encourage them to consider options other than a berm. Mr. Johnson stated a berm is beneficial at ground level and may be more perceived than real. Mr. Johnson stated he thinks residents will perceive a need for a vertical component that is morethan a row of trees. Donlin stated when the theater property was developed, a six-foot berm was created to buffer their property from night-time vehicle lights. She commented on the psychological benefit of having a visual screen and not being able to see the use. Trehus asked if the Board needs to stipulate a buffer on the west side of the site, or if it is a "given." Mr. Johnson stated they will listen to the residents. Trehus suggested a berm be required and then the applicant can assure it is properly designed and appropriate. Mr. Johnson stated he would like to hear, about two issues: 1) have they done what they can with the drainage plan or is there something more they should evaluate; and, 2) the nature of the buffer/screening on the west side of the project. Mach stated he thinks the Board should advise people of the benefits of vegetative screening as opposed to a,mound of dirt and recommended a mix of red oaks and white pine. He stated his intent to support vegetative screens as opposed to berms. y �r Davidson stated her agreement and suggestion that a woodland buffer, which is environmentally more'sound and beautiful, be presented to the residents. Trehus asked if the ponds can be made deeper. Asleson stated that will not matter due to the level of the water table. Mr. Johnson advised of their monitoring well findings. Kukonen stated he believes the drainage issues have been satisfied but he would support further investigation of staffs proposal for a pipe under Apollo Drive. O'Connell asked if the applicant would object to a Board Member attending the neighborhood meeting next Tuesday to present the option of a vegetative berm. Mr. Johnson stated they would welcome that opportunity. O'Connell stated she will plan to attend that meeting. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 Trehus raised the issue of the short-term impact of stockpiling the soil on the site. Asleson stated they already have a storage permit up to 5,000 cubic feet. Mr. Uhde explained the CUP will allow additional storage and relocation of drainage ditch and berm. Donlin expressed concern with the stockpiling of road aggregate and possible leachate into the soil. She urged the developer to not lean heavily toward stockpiling that type of material. Mr. Johnson noted the material will be used under road pavements and parking lots and building pads. He pointed out the proposed stockpile location is centrally located so it will not have to be moved often until it is used. Mr. Johnson stated they already have a stockpiling permit but they are asking to stockpile additional material which will be needed to raise the elevation of the lots to match the criteria established by the County. Davidson moved to require a buffer on the west side of the project, that a vegetative woodland buffer is to be presented to the residents, to recommend a woodland and vegetative buffer rather than a berm for environmental and aesthetic reasons, and to direct staff to research the feasibility of connecting Pond 1 with the pond south of Apollo Drive. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS A. New Members - The Environmental Board Members introduced themselves. B. DNR Project - Asleson noted the May 25 WUI Local Unit of Government Work Group Agenda, their April 20, 2000. meeting minutes, and "Useful ... Guidelines" drafted by the DNR. He presented an update on this project and the DNR request for Lino Lakes Land Use and inventory information. Asleson stated his involvement is to provide the requested information. In response to Davidson, Asleson stated the Anoka Conservation District submitted a Greenway Coalition grant application but it is not yet approved. Kukonen asked if the wildlife fieldwork is to include Lino Lakes and Hugo. Asleson stated it could include both. Acting Chair Lanyon asked if there is an opportunity for Lino Lakes to be more heavily involved to improve its inventory data of the areas involved. Asleson stated that is correct and data on rare and endangered species will also be identified. Donlin advised that a site along Elmcrest was viewed and an area with a beautiful wetland was found which contained three pairs of yellow -headed blackbirds. She stated this project is very exciting and she finds it to be a "golden opportunity" to fill in the missing pieces. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 C. Environmental Education Packet - Acting Chair Lanyon noted the environmental education packets which would be distributed to homeowners, particularly those in ecological sensitive areas. He stated he does not have a good idea of what to do with this information, other than on Earth Day, and asked if all new buyers will get one. Asleson suggested homeowners along the buffer and greenway areas or adjacent to wetlands receive a copy. Acting Chair Lanyon agreed and stated he thought certain parcels would be targeted within buffer zones to receive this information. Davidson reviewed how the last flyer was compiled and copied. Acting Chair Lanyon noted that some of the material can be photocopied and updated brochures requested. He stated that he thinks a significant percentage of homebuyers have web access either at work or at home. He suggested the Board consider a web site that allows access to this information and volunteered to create such a web site that provides links to other sites such as the DNR, University of Minnesota Extension, etc. Davidson suggested some of that information also be included in°the informational packet. Acting Chair Lanyon stated it may also :be possible to have the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press point newcomers to this web page. He indicated he would check into that possibility. Consensus was reached that the major web page headings should be: Benefits of Native Plants, Butterfly Gardening, Create a Back Yard Habitat, Lawn Care, Shoreline Management, Yard Waste and Composting, and Aquascaping. Davidson suggested; that in Addition, the City's newsletter advertise the availability of this information at City Hall. • Acting Chair Lanyon indicated support to find a sponsor to provide an informational refrigerator magnet., �O' Connell stated residents could also be informed that additional information is available at City Hall. Mach noted that new homeowners often want to landscape quickly so it would be nice to provide them with some information and alternatives. However, he agreed the full informational packet may be too much information. Acting Chair Lanyon stated he will investigate the opportunity for a refrigerator magnet and the web page option. Consensus was reached to direct staff to reproduce the information with the cost funded from the budget, to remove the canoe and include "Compliments of the Environmental Board" under the words Lino Lakes, staff to research options for green colored folders, 8 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 the Board to volunteer to assemble the folders/information, Donlin to contact Doug Voss regarding the waterfowl infoimation, quantity of 250 folders will be created, Davidson to provide editing of information, and staff to include a reference in the City newsletter that this environmental packet is available at the City Hall. D. Letter of Recommendation / Brauer & AES - Davidson stated she volunteered to put this information together based on the Board's input. Kukonen stated he has some information to provide. Acting Chair Lanyon suggested that this information be provided to Davidson by June 15, 2000 so she can prepare a draft letter which can be included in the next meeting packet for consideration at the June meeting. E. PCA Volunteer Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Program - Asleson explained that Donlin has added this agenda item to discuss ground water quality. He noted the information regarding the PCA "Ground Water Monitoring and Assessment Program" (GWMAP) which is a volunteer program. He reviewed the City program for well monitoring and testing for coliform and nitrates. s' He offered to work with the Board if they are interested in pursuing groundwater monitoring. Donlin asked if the test packets can be made available at the City Hall. Asleson stated the City received a limited number of free test packets but the County usually charges a fee for them. He stated he will check to see if it is possible to have them available at the City Hall. PROJECT REVIEW A. GM Development / Apollo Drive CUP / Stockpiles - This item was considered earlier in the meeting. PROJECT UPDATES A. Behms / Rice Lake Estates Park Prairie Projects - Asleson reported the Behms / Rice Lake Estates Park Prairie projects will be seeded with native materials in about a week and will be interesting to watch. B. Clearwater Creek III Environmental Updates - Asleson noted the draft environmental educational handout for Clearwater Creek and the rendering of the 6" by 9" buffer signs that will be posted along the buffer area about three feet off the ground. He advised the developer is working on the eradication of Buckhorn and there is also some Purple Loosestrife in the area. Northern Prairie Restoration will be seeding the area soon and is also working on the invasive plant issues. 9 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 C. Forestry Updates - Asleson advised that the Forestry Division planted Hackberries on the boulevard areas that were included in the last fall contract. Trees that died from last year are being replaced. D. Solid Waste / Recycling Updates - Asleson presented the summary tonnage report for Spring Recycling Day. He advised that almost 51 tons of recyclables were brought in this spring as compared to 33 tons for last fall. He commented that this was a very successful event. Donlin commented on the Earth Day cleanup and "Band-Aid" approach currently being taken to clean the parks and roadsides and, yet, no one is learning about the negative consequence of littering and dumping debris. She suggested a discussion be held of strict enforcement of littering violations so it is no longer tolerated. Donlin also suggested a sign be posted at the City's border warning of the consequences of littering. Asleson stated that the Police Department can be contacted about this concern. Acting Chair Lanyon asked Donlin to draft a letter to the Police Department for consideration at the next meeting. Donlin agreed. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Tree Mitigation Negotiations - Due to the late hour, this item was postponed to the June 28, 2000 meeting. B. Landscape Ordinance,7 Asleson; reported staff is working on the Landscape Ordinance and it will be presented at the June 28.2000 meeting. C. Lighting Ordinance , Trehus asked if any revisions have been made to the Lighting Ordinance and 'dommented on' the importance of having one to address the new commercial and industrial developments. Asleson stated he: will determine the status of that ordinance. This item was postponed to the June 28, 2000 meeting. D. Election of Chair - Trehus moved to elect Scott Lanyon as the Chair and Maurine Davidson as the Vice Chair of the Environmental Board. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 10 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 31, 2000 CLOSE MEETING AND CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on June 28, 2000. There being no further business, Davidson moved to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Trehus seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 11 City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting Lino Lakes City Hall May 31, 2000 6:30 PM Agenda Call To Order/Pass Sign -In Sheet 2. Approval of Minutes 3 Approval of Agenda 4. Citizen Conunents 5. Environmental Board Business A. New Members B. DNR Project C. Environmental Education Packet D. Letter of Recommendation/Brauer&AES E. PCA Volunteer Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Program 6. Project Review A. GM Development/Apollo Dr. CUP/Stockpiles 7. Project Updates A. Behms/Rice Lake Estates Park Prairie Projects. B. Clearwater Creek III Environmental Updates C. Forestry Updates C. Solid Waste/Recycling Updates 8. Other Discussion Items 9. Close Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date