Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/28/2000 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : June 28, 2000 TIME STARTED : 6:32 P.M. TIME ENDED : 9:09 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Maurene Davidson, Amy Donlin, Rod Kukonen, Scott Lanyon, Dave Mach, Teresa O'Connell, and Mike Trehus (arrived at 6:41 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT : None. Staff members present: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson CALL TO ORDER Chair Lanyon called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 31, 2000 - Davidson requested the correction of Dave Mach's name. Davidson moved to approve the May 31, 2000 meeting minutes as amended above. Donlin seconded the motion. : Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following items were added • Discuss Heron Colony • Discuss Tree Mitigation Negotiation • Discuss Lighting Ordinance • Discuss Littering Issue The agenda was approved as amended above. CITIZEN COMMENTS No other comments were made. Since Julie Farnham was not yet present, the Board first considered Project Review items. o`the meeting agenda: 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 PROJECT REVIEW A. Twin City Fab, Inc. — Asleson presented the request for a TIF Land Use application and site plan for Twin City Fab, Inc. to construct a business building at 295 Apollo Drive. He noted that at the May meeting, the Environmental Board reviewed and made a recommendation on the overall site grading, and global landscape issues. The site includes a building, parking lot, on-site water swale, and a proposed future staging area. Trehus arrived at 6:41 p.m. Asleson explained that a generic and non-specific landscape detail is shown on the landscape plan that was submitted. He reviewed his discussion with Gary Nordness regarding the landscaping requirements desired and suggestions he made. Asleson reviewed the drainage patterns of the site, noting the locations of the settlement pond and storage area. He advised of sodded areas that would be irrigated and methods to restore compacted soils and create better conditions. Chair Lanyon stated his reservation with considering such a project without a landscape plan being submitted. Asleson commented on the difficulty with native landscape planning due to lack of education on maintenance. He suggested a five year warranty contract be required for the landscape plantings. Asleson advised the lighting proposed will be of a low shoebox-style and will not exceed one foot candle at the street. Chair Lanyon noted the lighting plan was also not included in the Board's meeting information In response to Trehus, Asleson reviewed several companies that offer native landscape plants and prairie restoration work. He noted that after a period of five years, the prairie should be established. Asleson advised this prairie is about three acres. Chair Lanyon stated:. one option is to indicate it will be considered when the plans are submitted, or the Board could wait for several days so staff can contact the developer and provide information to the Board Members via telephone or e-mail. Chair Lanyon stated he does not feel comfortable with considering this project with the limited detail that was presented tonight. He stated a timeline should be created so developers understand when information needs to be submitted for consideration before the Environmental Board. Then, if the plans submitted are inadequate, the developer can be told the Environmental Board will not consider their application. Trehus read the public notice from the newspaper indicating this is a CUP consideration for exterior storage at Twin City Fab, Inc. and Marmon Keystone. He asked if it is appropriate to discuss the landscape issues. Asleson stated the landscape portion must be considered before the project is moved forward. 2 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 Chair Lanyon stated his preference for submittals in writing rather than being based on a verbal conversation between staff and the developer. He stated if the Council feels they need to act at their next meeting, the Board can forward the project with no recommendation. Or, the Board can make comment over the next few days based on additional information being submitted to staff and relayed to Board Members. Davidson stated her preference to respond positively to this project and to encourage it. Mach stated that while he would be willing to consider this project tonight, he does not want to make a habit of considering future projects without the appropriate details. Chair Lanyon stated a better definition of a "landscape plan" and "lighting plan" is needed and suggested staff provide that information with the guidelines. Trehus questioned the differences in the procedural method with this commercial project versus a residential project. Asleson reviewed the issues addressed by the watershed management organization dealing with water volumes and water quality. Trehus noted that while the newspaper reported this application was for a CUP, the Board is considering a landscape plan. Asleson reviewed the various committees that are involved in considering this project and the specific issues they address. Davidson moved to indicate that when received, an inadequate landscape plan was in place and the Board will respond to a written landscape plan before the next meeting, if submitted, via telephone or e-mail, and to recommend the TIF Land Use Application and Site Plan for Twin City Fab, Inc:`to construct a business building at 295 Apollo Drive, be subject to the following conditions 1. Provide a more detailed landscape plan, providing for plant materials appropriate to the site for both native and non-native landscape areas. All non-native areas should show irrigation..: 2. Provide a five (5) year warranty period with landscape company for all landscape plantings. 3. Provide for a site soils management and reconstruction plan. This plan should include measures to reconstruct landscape soils to an uncompacted state after construction. This plan should also show soil organic amendment incorporated into any sub -soil reconstruction process. 4. Move the proposed future storage area to the east and provide a buffer planting between the storage area and pond 3. 5. Provide a detailed lighting plan incorporating low shoebox style lighting fixtures in accordance with City requirements. 6. Work in cooperative effort with the adjacent property at 265 Apollo Drive on the landscaping details. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 It was noted that this is not a recommendation for approval or denial but, rather, a recommendation that these conditions be part of any consideration on this application. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS A. Landscape Ordinance — Julie Farnham presented the revised draft landscape ordinance, noting that only five pages are being presented at this time. Following discussion, the following revisions were made: Page 1: Landscape -scale Approach, third line: "Therefore, the City encourages landscape plantings in new development or redevelopment that reflects ..." Page 1: Add definition for "Native Plants" Page 2: Berm: Add wording to address how to mitigate lighting impact. Page 3: Add definition for "Rain Garden." Page 4: B.1: "The applicant shall submit a Landscape/Screening! Plan for review by the City in conjunction with all other plans required for the site plan review application at or prior to the application deadline." Page 4: B.3: "For any project that requires a Landscape/Screening Plan, the staff and appropriate advisory boards will make a determination ..." Farnham stated she will work with staff to determine if the site and building plan review process is clearly spelled out in another ordinance. Consensus was reached on,the need to define the application process, materials required for submittal with the application and application deadline for inclusion on the next Environmental Board meeting agenda. All agreed with the importance of addressing maintenance and maintenance requirements via a maintenance plan. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discuss Tree Mitigation Negotiations — Chair Lanyon noted the ordinance allows flexibility to allow staff to negotiate relative to tree mitigation should a situation exist where trees cannot be placed within the project. It was noted this type of language was to be drafted as a policy or guidelines, not included in the ordinance, and would give staff the ability to negotiate the tree replacement onto another site (possibly the adjacent property, school or park property, etc.). Asleson suggested the Board review the shade tree preservation guidelines currently drafted. Farnham noted those guidelines deal with public properties. She suggested Asleson draft language defining how that type of issue could be negotiated with a 4 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 developer. Asleson stated that type of language could be drafted for PUD projects. He stated he will research how other cities have handled this situation. Chair Lanyon asked Asleson to draft such language for review by the City Attorney and consideration by the Environmental Board. He asked Board Members to submit their suggestions on tree mitigation to Asleson. PROJECT REVIEW — CONTINUED B. Marmon Keystone - Asleson presented the TIF Application and site plans for Marmon Keystone to construct a business building at 265 Apollo Drive. He noted that at the May meeting, the Environmental Board reviewed and made recommendations on the overall site grading and global landscape issues. The site for Marmon Keystone shows a building, parking lot, on-site water storage, and a proposed future storage area. Asleson reviewed the elevations and drainage patterns, noting the infiltration rates and calculations are based on uncompacted soils. Thus, his recommendation for measures to reconstruct landscape soils to an uncompacted state after construction. Davidson moved to indicate that when received, no landscape plan was in place and the Board will respond to a written landscape plan before the next meeting, if submitted, via telephone or e-mail, and to recommend the TIF Land Use Application and Site Plan for Marmon Keystone to construct a business building at 265 Apollo Drive, be subject to the following conditions: 1. Provide a more detailed landscape plan, providing for plant materials appropriate to the site for both native and non-native landscape areas. All non-native areas should show irrigation. 2. Provide a five (5) year warranty period with landscape company for all landscape plantings. 3. Provide for a site soils management and reconstruction plan. This plan should include measures to reconstruct landscape soils to an uncompacted state after construction. This plan should also show soil organic amendment incorporated into any sub -soil reconstruction process. 4. Move Stage 1 of the proposed future storage area to the west and provide vegetative buffer planting and cyclone fence between the storage area and pond 3 (reverse Stage 1 and 2)' Eliminate treated wood to stockpile materials on. 5. Provide a detailed lighting plan incorporating low shoebox style lighting fixtures in accordance with City requirements. 6. Work in cooperative effort with the adjacent property at 295 Apollo Drive on the landscaping details. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. It was noted that this is not a recommendation for approval or denial but, rather, a recommendation that these conditions be part of any consideration on this application. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 Asleson pointed out areas of hydric soils and calculation of the engineer that it is under 5,000 sq. ft. so they can apply for an exemption with the Rice Creek WMO. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS - CONTINUED B. DNR Project - Asleson reported that the committee is meeting regularly with attendees being assigned to various duties and functions. He advised that the conservation grant was funded and pointed out the areas under consideration in this project. C. Environmental Education Packet - Davidson presented an outline including names and telephone numbers and other information she had prepared for inclusion in the packet. She requested feedback before the next meeting. Chair Lanyon announced that the Environmental Board WEB page is now operational. Davidson stated she will add that WEB page indication in this information. She reviewed other changes she had made to the packet information. Asleson presented a folder recently purchased by the City which the Board could order at the same unit price. Donlin suggested the folder color be solid green. Asleson stated the words "Environmental Landscape Information" will be printed on the folder. Chair Lanyon stated he will continue his research on a refrigerator magnet as discussed at the last meeting. Kukonen reported on his efforts to obtain information on the Wildlife Backyard Habitat Project. Asleson stated next year he would like to take landscaping into the field with a demonstration project on a sandy residential lot in an attempt to gain cooperation with the resident and, possibly,: cost sharing. He noted that type of project information and photographs could be included on the WEB page and present a good start. Mach advised of the volunteer information he brought to the meeting and presented a DNR flyer addressing the benefit of landscaping. D. Letter of Recommendation / Brauer & AES - Davidson stated she volunteered to put this information together based on the Board's input. She presented a draft of the letter and asked for comments at the next meeting. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 PROJECT UPDATES A. Restoration Updates - Asleson presented the Clearwater Creek brochure which will be distributed and advised of the current project status. He suggested a tour of this project and asked interested members to contact him. B. Forestry Updates - Not presented. C. Solid Waste / Recycling Updates - Asleson advised that the report for SCORE is due shortly. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS - CONTINUED B. Discuss Heron Colony - Chair Lanyon advised that during nesting, the heron colony was abandoned. Donlin reported on the monitoring that had been conducted and discovery that the entire colony was abandoned. Asleson commented that highway construction may have been an impact due to 24-hour lighting and activity. Chair Lanyon noted this is the City bird and asked that the Council be advised of this matter. He suggested that the re-establishment of nesting habitat be researched. C. Update on Apollo Project - O'Connell advised that only one resident attended the public information meeting and indicated he is moving. That resident supported a berm so it will help him sell his property D. Discuss Lighting Ordinance - Asleson stated nothing has been done on drafting a Lighting Ordinance as it is not a priority now. Chair Lanyon suggested that the Board urge staff to place this as a higher priority. Trehus volunteered to draft a memorandum to the City Council from the Environmental Board recommending that the Lighting Ordinance (addressing height, orientation, intensity) be placed as a higher staff priority in conjunction with the Landscape Ordinance. `' This memorandum will be e-mailed to members and upon approval, will be signed by Chair Lanyon and forwarded to the Council. E. Discuss Littering Issue - Donlin presented a letter she prepared addressing the littering problem. Asleson stated he spoke with the Police Depai tment about erecting signs and beginning a public relations campaign. He reviewed his conversation with a representative of Ace Solid Waste who estimated they picked up a ton of litter. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 28, 2000 Donlin stated her concern that there is no penalty imposed for littering and she believes there is a need for education regarding this issue. She noted that some States have signage at their border citing the penalty for littering. Consensus was reached to refer the letter to the Police Department CLOSE MEETING AND CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on July 26, 2000. There being no further business, Trehus moved to adjourn at 9:09 p.m. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 8 City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting Lino Lakes City Hall June 28, 2000 6:30 PM Agenda 1. Call to Order/Pass Sign -In Sheet 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Citizen Comments 5. Environmental Board Business A. Landscape Ordinance B. DNR Project C. Environmental Education Packet D. Letter of Recommendation/Brauer & AES 6. Project Review A. Twin City FAB B. Marmon Keystone 7. Program/Project Updates A. Restoration Updates B. Forestry Updates C. Solid Waste/Recycling Updates 8. Other Discussion Items 9. Close Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date