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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2001 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBER ABSENT : CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES : April 25, 2001 . 6:30 P.M. : 10:00 P.M. : Amy Donlin, Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Dave Mach, Theresa O'Connell, and Mike Trehus. Scott Lanyon Staff members present: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson, Director of Economic Development Brian Wessel, and City Planner Jeff Smyser. CALL TO ORDER Chair Lanyon was not present, so Vice Chair Mach called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 25, 2000 - Trehus moved to postpone approval otthe°,Mareh25, 20'01 meeting minutes. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously: -N � '_ APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following items were added to the meeting agenda: .aux: ® Discuss meeting minutes — Trehus. The agenda was approved as amended albove. ;r CITIZEN COMMENTS No comments were made. PROJECT REVIEWf, A. Ryan/Target Superstore/CUP/Site Plan Review/Preliminary Plat/Variance — Wessel gave a preview�iof the submissions. He noted the timeline was intensive. The second proposal wasosmaller scale, with the most recent plan on a very intensive timeline given the specifics, He introduced Dick Ryan the retail contractor and John Payton from the Vin,,. ya design team?for Ryan/Target. Wessel reviewed the most recent plan went to the Planning and Zoning Board, with a public hearing scheduled for the May 9 Planning and Zoning meeting. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Trehus questioned the status of the Environmental Audit Worksheet. Mr. Payton responded the draft went to the City Consultant for review. He noted the square footage of the building would be revised and stated the project would be published in a professional journal in June as a forum for response and comment. Mr. Payton added there was a 3.62 wet and fill mitigation underway near the golf course. The surveying areas have been delineated for the expansion of the wetland areas. Trehus stated that the Board wanted to preserve upland, and he sees the mitigation plan as a net loss for the City. Mr. Payton responded the site was a part of the Anoka County Park System so the question was posed to the County for options on wetland mitigation. Vice Chair Mach inquired if it was common practice to go to the County level. Mr. Payton answered the wetland impact and mitigation was all under the jurisdiction of the Rice Creek Watershed District. Trehus questioned the number of acres in the proposed expansion. Mr. Payton pointed out the basin was 3.62 acres at the Target site, so they were working with the watershed district to complete up to 25% of the park. He indicated that 2.5 to,3,,;aCcxs were fairly yt�s�:}w ii+ small and there were other potential sites for mitigation. Mr. Payton advised that rock finds results found arrowheads in the motocross area and shovT'samples confirmed 1977 or 1978 field review reports noting the area for the potentiatsite. Donlin agreed the findings concluded there was archeologcal'`significance because it was a travel path for Native Americans through the Chain"hof Laks., Slue inquired about the consultants who obtained the records from 197,or 1978. Mr.Payton answered they were ot acquired by the document team. "` Donlin questioned the validity of the findings b'dcause of their bias implied by the firms' funding. Mr. Payton explained the consultants were a reputable and well known company that would not falsify information Donlin asked for confirmation ithaeRyanTwould be up front with the City on the results of the study. Mr. Payton assured the Board that it would be honest with the findings. Trehus inquired aboutithewater volumes of the basins. Mr. Payton noted the red areas of the map werefthehinfltration:�areas. He noted that John Powell suggested depressing the Southwest and Noxtlwest areas, because the numbers would remain the same. The Southeast had been removed in the newest plan. Trehus quqstione45 e size of the site, and the movement of the water as to where it was going and the volumes. Mr. Payton responded the site was a little less than 48 acres. The storage volume for the wet component was 13.5 acre feet. The requirement is 5.5 acres. Any two inch rainfall events would be able to go out of a two inch diameter tube. 2 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Donlin expressed concern over a 500 year event, and wanted to know where the water would go in those instances. She noted there had been three such events in 10 days in 1992. Mr. Payton indicated a 100 year event of 5.9 inches would discharge over a 48 hour period. Emergency overflow would move toward Highway 35W, the flow direction would not change. Trehus indicated the water would eventually flow into George. Watch Lake, and in an event over two inches would move too quickly. Mr. Payton explained he did not have the numbers for the water volume. The total capacity of the pond was 9.9 acre ft. of storage, however, all surfaces receive water. He explained the flow will either go over the land or underground. Trehus urged a reviewal of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet by the Board before the City Council approved the project. Asleson noted the proposal was to be submitted after the present meeting and it would receive approval before the next meeting. Wessel stated final approval was to come in July. O'Connell inquired about the treatment of oils and gases in the Water. Mr aPayton explained that because petroleum products float, there would be a'skimming feature. The Board discussed lighting and signage. Kukoneninquired whether' Target would be willing to use a non -backlit logo. Mr. Payton answered the sign,slould be visible to the East and West where there were mainly businesses. i. Y' Vice Chair Mach asked if all the stores liadgs niilar lighting and signage. Mr. Payton responded the store plans accommodate the requirements of the planning and zoning in each city. '� E�sx �; l'A The issue of parking spaces ty,�as discussed iff relation to the ordinances and the requirements of the stores. 'G {undki`ofer1noted the City requirements were exceeded by 103 spaces. Mr. Payton addressed the<green space in relation to parking. He explained that questions remain as to where the' green"space is distributed. If within the parking lot, they could create visual barriers''causing accidents. If it were a block on the side, it would create an unbroken pavement:;:; Trehus urged Target/Ryan to reduce the number of spaces and explore green parking, because ofthe potential degradation of George Watch Lake. Mr. Payton answered rE. impervious or green parking was difficult to maintain with shopping carts, and dirt mud tracking in the stores. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Trehus stated some of the area could be green, because there were no carts from Kohl's, and in the winter shoveled snow needed to be piled somewhere. Asleson indicated staffwould review the Environmental Assessment Worksheet followed by the Environmental Quality Board. Trehus asked who comprised the Environmental Quality Board. Smyser stated the Governor appointed representatives of the DNR, MPCA, as well as others. They set rules for how the worksheets are completed. The developers fill out the Environmental Assessment Worksheet, the City reviews it, the Environmental Quality Board does not review it but files it and copies it for 27 other agencies, as well as publishes it for comments for 30 days. He explained that the City owns the document. Asleson inquired about the grading of the parking lot and the method of getting the water into the ponds. Mr. Payton responded slipform paving was the method that would be used, where the back curb would be removed to allow flow into the catch basin behind the store. Asleson noted the tree and plant species lists were included in the packet He explained phosphorus loading was a water quality issue, not limited to aesthetics, but bioremediation was also important There would be a yearlPfee, which would be used to reduce phosphorus in the system. Mr. Asleson explainpOiat he cos or bioremediation with the monthly fee would be less than the cost of tri6wing.;:;9''' It was discussed that because motor oil would Ile sold;a:t was also necessary to provide on site recycling to the public. 4 cris = B. Spirit Hills Update — Asleson stated fie PlannM$ and Zoning Board had townhomes, so they have been removed. Staff* no new recommendati Trehus noted his concerns were the*etland.Duffering, the lake protection fact that the property has high'etivirdittippeal value. r The Board discussed the letter fror4;ihe DNR and chose to forward those comments. C. Highland MeadowsWest 3r1 Addition — Mr. Cooper stated that the submitted plan was being withdrawnlinekto a needed plan modification. The wetland delineation showed wetland where there was none noted previously, and the area thought to be wetland was found to 48ilbel,,,,He indicated there were six existing homes on the plat, the newly found wetland would affect 4-5 lots, and a new access road would be necessary. The Wetland Conservation Act would no longer be applicable to the site. Asleson noted a tree inventory submitted needed the species and the impact on each tree. The trees would be lost because of the walkouts but if the houses had full basements, most of the Historic Oak Savanna trees could be saved. objected to the ons. area, and the 4 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Mr. Cooper indicated 75-80% of the trees would be saved. Asleson stated most of the trees would be lost. He disagreed with the number of trees saved until the tree inventory was completed. Grundhofer submitted that people were attracted to homes with trees on the lot. Donlin concurred and discussed the vision was created to save the trees. Asleson identified there were young oak woodlands throughout the site. If only the oldest trees were to be saved, pine beetle issues and issues with the Fire Department would probably result. Mr. Cooper noted that to the consumer, graded elevation was desirable with walkouts and trees. Most were split entry with drainage, so it would be above a 100 year flood and have an emergency overflow. Trehus asked how much of the site was wetland. Mr. Cooper answered there was .78 acres in the middle, and .25 acre in the corner. Vice Chair Mach stated significant trees did not mean old trees `:.diversity of ages was needed. Donlin explained that the plan appeared to be a cookie cuttevapproach and the Board wanted to encourage conservation planning. ,Mr. Schmidt responded there were six houses on 28 acres, and the development He ' there was no tree preservation ordinance. et' Asleson indicated there was no ordinance, butthere was a policy. Mr. Schmidt responded his goal to keep as many trees as possible was acceptable to the City, and to the potential residents. He agreed with the age;diversrty concept and explained he wanted to work with people. Bluebill Ponds mus graded, but did not want to match it because he will lose trees. Mr. Schmidt noted that'rnany species could be relocated. A discussion of the concept of conservation subdivision was discussed, with various members holding differing'definitions of the concept. Asleson recommended the Board begin with whatithe site couldsupport and go from there. Mr. Schmidt suggested µthe City make an ordinance. He predicted trouble with developers if 50% oftl ''..land wasYto be saved and cited the housing shortage. He believed the large areas needed.to be preserved, not the small areas. Donlin pointed out that both could t�fJ' occur if the .development was reconfigured. • Mr. Schmidt stated the fire department did not want narrower streets and the City Planners did not want smaller lots. Smyser confirmed the statement. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Mr. Schmidt urged the members of the Board to visit his past sites in St. Michael and in Brooklyn Park. He noted the St. Michael site was the most successful development except for one other with houses priced $150,000 and higher. The Brooklyn Park site moved 450 Spruce and Norway pine, and planted hardwoods and wildflower gardens. D. Pinnacle Towers, 870 Birch Street/Rezone/Amend Conditional Use Permit/Amend Zoning Ordinance - Asleson reviewed the background and reported there had been concerns over towers covering the landscape. The request was to increase the height of the tower from 510 to 530 feet. Key West Microwave Telephone could also use the tower. Staff recommended to approve the plan. Donlin asked if there would be any additional guide wires. Trehus recommended a City-wide planto address the need for communications towers. Asleson responded Smyser was working on that. Trehus moved that until such a time where a City-wide plan for communication towers is developed, there should be no further tower construction. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. ..,- .i.,.-., E. Heritage Development/Saddle Club/Preliminary Plat -_,Mlesori-ihdicatdd the .4- greenway option did not apply to the park. 4' ''Vi"IN •"""' CI ' )''' ' '''''''''' Kukonen mentioned the MUSA might be approaching the deEixiline'in reference to the Comprehensive Plan. t ‘e' Asleson noted a trail was being planned,andlhe entire Southern portion was greenway. At 4,,ii:r1 O'Connell stated it appeared the entire site was lowland. Asleson presented a map depicting red areas that were high=uplag§,A Air:fkif:\ '474-t.>. Grundhofer indicated the same'•itern4if the legend was used for trees to be saved and trees to be removed. •61,5,1,-7.- Lq.,,, / Asleson agreed therinap needed to be redone. He noted the number of lots had not -, . s new open space with changed, however, there was a park linking to the greenway system sky.y. ,.-.., _.., connecting BircliTork with Birchway. He suggested the trail could also be linked. Donlin ifiquffetwhat1mount was not in the MUSA. Kukonen explained the southern part ofethetpairC P., re Asleson indicated it was a good way to have the greenway with a trail. Kukonen expressed concern due to the dual MUSA status, and suggested if there was a proposed trade, it would set a bad precedent for MUSA. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 Trehus inquired about the conservation easements in light of the large lots encroaching on the wetlands. He asked if the Planning and Zoning Board was going to see this plan. Asleson answered the greenway with the trail was the change in the plan, at one time the area was biodiverse. Trehus questioned the location and type of the path, and whether it was going to be on the ecotone. Asleson responded there was a way to put a paved path through the center of the ecosystem, and not the edges to minimize the environmental impact. Vice Chair Mach submitted that if the trails went through nice areas it could raise environmental consciousness. Grundhofer indicated the tree legend needed to be clear, and asked staff for his recommendations. Asleson answered no changes, and advised that because of time constraints, the Board would probably not be asked to comment again. The Board discussed the population growth and traffic concerns. If ahold on new MUSA would be recommended, the greenway would probably be lost � y r Trehus mentioned reducing the size of the lots to preserve space, Asleson responded that Planning and Zoning Board objected tositand so he negotiated the greenway. O'Connell recommended approval but with strong reservations about the number of homes being built in one year in light of 147`homes+as an annual total. In addition, the number of trees saved versus lost needed.to:,be. clarified on the plat map. Grundhofer moved to recommend approval with' he reservations. O'Connell seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 to 1 ( 'rel us F. 64th and 20th/Variance Request,- Mr ,Valentine introduced himself as the project leader and Tom Carlson as the new; owner:,. Mr. Valentine had known the original owner for 10 years. Ii' Trehus notedthe.nee ative site for a septic tank. Mr. Valentine stated was a 2.82 acre triangular site, where he tried to stay out of the wetlandsndpeery ethe trees. /-14" Grundhof i indicated her concern for the mound septic tank, where any pollutants would go directly irito the wetland. Asleson recommended Mr. Valentine work with the Vadnais Heights Watershed District. Mr. Valentine reported speaking with them and noted the delineation report indicated 7 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 reed canarygrass and a sledge called carrats, with a dual classification of non -emergent submerged most of the season. Asleson pointed out that the site was in the lake protection zone with hydric soil. The requirement was a 30 foot buffer around the wetland. He stated the application was the setback from the road variance. Vice Chair Mach concurred that a variance was acceptable if the property would be improved for the natural habitat. Donlin stated that with one unit the road becomes less of an issue, however, how would the property impact the phosphorus levels in the runoff. Mr. Carlson indicated there were no plans for a lawn on the property. Mr. Valentine pointed out the house could be moved back with a longer driveway, but then it would be encroaching on the wetland. Trehus noted there was a misalignment in the white triangle, and the wetland ended at the lot line. Smyser indicated Planning and Zoning could make a recommendation to'the City Council, but it is contingent on the watershed approval. +lu:. Donlin stated the watershed district might not deal with yseptictank iss}es in relation to Lake Amelia. `" °:: rt Mr. Valentine mentioned there was no tested alternative site for'the septic system, but he o� =rix.. could obtain a statement from the septicanalyst'.'r 6 ,. 7ys�..�5'S 'k.zt.,F1�,-ALM, �d Smyser stated the mound system was a ove ground, so rainfall and groundwater did not affect it. 4t. k'{ Trehus suggested the City notpprbye the project with relevant questions pending. O'Connell indicated after the waterslddistrict comments, there would be more answers. a,,:�.,, Smyser noted the request was for a yariance, the Board had questions about the septic system location,, bu,'tno specifics were stated. Asleson indicate r{: e wereenvironmental issues. There was°ctrscusiondof the issue of the upland requirement. Recommendations were concerns P+ r,d a `impact of the septic system on the wetlands, and the location within the lake protection area. t G. 2088 80th St. /Variance Request — John Cartier was requesting an outbuilding variance for a pole barn. It was noted that four years ago he built his home on the site and is now 8 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 planning an organic vegetable garden since his grandfather had one in that location. The property had been family owned since 1840s, and there were no plans to move. Donlin suggested there could be problems if neighbors thought it was not aesthetic. Mr. Cartier indicated there were no close neighbors, the closest were extended family members. Kukonen moved to pass the variance request along with no recommendations. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Trehus moved to take a 5 minute break. O'Connell seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was reconvened at 9:05 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS A. Draft Comprehensive Plan Review — Asleson asked for final thoughts on the Comprehensive Plan. Trehus expressed concern that the growth zone was larger;tl%an compared to the 1997 land use. Grundhofer addressed need for more accurate and readable ma Kukonen indicated a concern over the yellow areas of expansion outside the MUSA. Ms. Sand had forwarded information to staff ad uessing lighting pollution. e'previous plan as �a B. Environmental Board Goals ,This ite'm^was tabled to the May 30, 2001 meeting. PROGRAM / PROJECT UPDATES A. Grant Updates — This,item.was tabled to the May 30, 2001 meeting. B. Minnesota DNR/Wildland Interface — This item was tabled to the May 30, 2001 meeting. C. Solid Wase tecycling Updates — This item was tabled to the May 30, 2001 meeting. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discussion of the March 28, 2001 Minutes — This item was tabled to the May 30, 2001 meeting. 9 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 25, 2001 CLOSE MEETING AND CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on May 30, 2001. There being no further business, Trehus moved to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 10 City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting Lino Lakes City Hall April 25, 2001 6:30 PM Agenda 1. Call To Order/Pass Sign -In Sheet 6:30 PM 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Citizen Comments 5. Project Review A. Ryan/Target/Target Super Store/CUP/Site Plan Review/Preliminary Plat/Variance ( 6:35-7:05 )/ Brian Wessel B. Spirit Hills Update (7:05-7:10) C. Highland Meadows West 3rd Addition (7:10-7:30) D. Pinnacle Towers, 870 Birch Street/Rezone/Amend Conditional Use Permit/Amend Zoning Ordinance (7:30 — 7:35) E. Heritage Development/Saddle Club/Preliminary Plat (7:35-7:45) F. 64`h and 2Oth/Variance Request (7:45-7:55) G. 2088 80`h St./Variance Request (7:55-8:00) 6. Environmental Board Business A. Draft Comprehensive Plan Review (8:00-8:30) B. Environmental Board Goals 2001 (8:30-8:40) C. Other 7. Program/Project Updates (8:40-8:45) A. Grant Updates B. Minnesota DNR/Wildland Interface C. Solid Waste/Recycling Updates 8. Close Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date