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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/2002 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : March 27, 2002 TIME STARTED : 6:37 P.M. TIME ENDED : 9:04 P.M. : Constance Grundhofer, Patrice Haien, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O'Connell, Mary Jo O'Dea, and Nikki Schneider MEMBERS ABSENT : Amy Donlin STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Mar 'son and Associate Planner Tanda Gretz . CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:3, 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 41 A. February 27, 2002 - The following coi -ections were requested: Page 1, introductory paragraph: "ME BERSi4BSENT : Patrice Halen and Nikki Schneider." Page 2, second paragraph: Page 2, seventh paragrapi opportunity to let reside, Grundhofer move seconded the incair "Othl'Oefdc, ors were water supply and waste disposal." ,e11 noted that Earth Day would be an wiabout the website." 3. APPleritA11710F A The agd 4sppfoved unanimously. ove ,ebruary 27, 2002 meeting minutes. O'Connell n carried unanimously. 4. OPEN MIKE? No citizen comments were made. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Stoneybrook, Preliminary Plat, Rezone, MUSA/Comp Plan Amendment Asleson indicated that there were three development areas. He reviewed the background material. The property was guided for low-density sewered residential development in the Comprehensive Plan. The developer was requesting MUSA allocation, and rezoning from R -Rural to -1X-Low Density Residential, and approval for a 111 -lot subdivision. There *§: 9.2 acres of wetland, with 2.06 requiring mitigation, which would be acco pLhed on site, and..58.87 acres of upland. The site was very wet, and infiltrationtieflini,,,ques were hnuted, so water quality design was important. he water areas should be protected from compaction and planted with a buffer of Basin filtration capacities should be enhanced with organict:Vablisiiment in flow areas, such as an organic pond area. Schneider inquired if the recommendations were they were only recommendations. . 41.vis.44, Grundhofer pointed out that there wast ftleV6T§pment on Ward's Lake adjacent to this development, and asked if they were bothW are of each other's impact and 6F -T the combined impact. Asleson indica N, ere being dealt with individually. '‘qtri7 4tegm. Asleson continued reviewing tlaeiti4sround material. The soil was very insensitive to ground water pdllution, acept for a small area in the South East '41,41,1-4.,t, comer that is in the Yap,* ea Watershed District. Additional water volume discharges should mintiffi7ed. A sequencing plan and a management plan including a 3-ycar cDntracl with a landscaping company should be submitted. • He urged that no sot s shi1d be hhuled off the site or brought on the site without VS permission fro o lie City. Thc sequencing plan should indicate responsibility for cleanup after the last housewas completed including the fencing. The landscape screeniTI ,was submitted for Birch Street, but staff had concerns about 121, wq0.1%. Colorado egliagaple was not hardy for the soil. Grundhofdt questioned if there were any acceptable conifers. Asleson stated that the only native conifers were white pines located in northern Anoka County, but were not native or adapted to this area. He conceded that a white spruce might grow if they wanted a spruce. g. As eson responded that O'Connell inquired about whether willows were native. Asleson indicated the water willow was possible. Asleson stated water filtration was important. In addition he recommended the developer should escrow money. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 Chair Kukonen reviewed the Site Plan Review process. First there was a staff review, then the developers would present, followed by a dialogue with the Board. Concerns he had were buffering in the North East comer near Lots 4 and 5 in C, and the greenway should not be encroached upon. Asleson said the areas of buffering should have signage and be covered in the covenants. He noted that they needed to be careful of the water table. Chair Kukonen identified an inconsistency in the wetland inventory possibly due to the draining and ditching. He attempted to walk the site, but it had no trespassing signs and barbed wire fences. Halen asked for a brief description of buffering. Chair Kukoiten responded that it r'ik$P could be several things such as a berm for noise pollution asj.R.t1;timersection of Highway 96 and Lexington, but it could also be a wetlandror watcr,TAbsorption. le* Asleson noted that the number of houses was 1.0 aboiitI 02. Grundhofer inquired inquired about the effort to have houiVO ocated in the Stoneybrook Flood Plain. Halen questioned if the houses located( od plain needed to be approved. Asleson responded the approval woube ba1jon the soil and the housepads. Chair Kukonen explained the Ahisr. Corps -oft ngineers would be looking at the flood plain in relation to the eloi At&and the 4 -foot leeway. Asleson advised the Board to allow the Army F6M- -ir eers to deal with the issue. He added that no one raised the issue qr soils. Chair Kukonen asked if.there was no requirement for park designation due to the outlots. Asleson respondccl he yot believe so, if not land possibly money. et) Schneider inquirifisaitille direction that the watershed flowed. Asleson answered tthey al 46n;kinto ditches. Grundhdreg,6xpressed concern over the preservation of the oak savanna area. Asleson explained that it was actually off site and should not be impacted by the changes on the,property. .-v Chair Kukonen submitted that they should ask for an overlay or a PDO, and ask for more open space. He was concerned about the streetlights, but the City cannot ask for a light site plan for residential. Grundhofer stated that because of the presence of wetlands, the City should ask for low impact shoebox lighting. Chair Kukonen read comments submitted by Donlin who could not attend. She pointed out that the site plan appeared to fit into the premature subdivision 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 designation. She also expressed concern over the number of houses, in light of the 147 goal for the year. Donlin also submitted that it could cause traffic concerns on Centerville Road. She mentioned the Saint Paul Pipeline area should not be developed. Finally, she stated the site was one of the remaining agricultural lands, and inquired about other options. Schneider inquired about it being a reasonable option. Chair Kukonen answered that legally the time clock begins when a developer begins the process, if the City does not respond within the 60 or 120 -day period, it would puss. The Board could ask for it, but the City could not require it. Schneider asked for confirmation that it would be better to 0, e recommendations on the plat than to deny it. Chair Kukonen indica 4-st,w often it was. that most Chair Kukonen stated that a road was proposed overthe ctilvert owned by the St. Paul Water Utility. He thought the plan should1)#4e recommendations. He added that things had been approved in the pa4.., Asleson indicated that the City decides after,,it goeg%feithe Planning and Zoning for reviewal. Schneider questioned if the culve,i osed street over it was referring to Street B. Chair Kukonen restk3- ded thlite culvert was from Vadnais. eagwrent was not a greenway, but a trail Asleson clarified that the RI connection. Chair Kukonen calledfor a niotion. He reviewed the Board recommendations to be added to the st ;leen ns: 4 1) Deny and con Paul Regional Water Utility and the Vadnais Lake 1:34 2) Proiilp or pipeline easement in the northeast corner lots. 3) Strettlightig should be downward focused, no spill. Kukonen siiigested more open area, where 50% or more should be preserved as open space not including wetland mitigation. He proposed an additional 17 acres should remain undeveloped, and encouraged clustering. Asleson submitted signage on the buffer areas and language in the association's covenants. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 O'Dea addressed the screening on Birch Street, and inquired about the possibility of promoting non-linear plantings. She also asked if the ditch was going to remain or if it would be altered. Chair Kukonen inquired if would he consider asking for a PDO to preserve a 17 - acre additional open space, as long as the developers were requesting a re -zoning, and follow the principles of development from the Handbook for Environmental Planning and Conservation Development. Asleson noted that signage should be placed on the buffer oies to indicate that buffers did exist, and covenants should be established pmeovvners' • association prohibiting encroachment. Schneider asked about the site's chance for approval.4„„ the site plan would go the Planning and Zoning Boar'd,and,t added that the Environmental Board was reviewing submitted prior to the moratorium taking effect.eN Asleson pointed out the Rice Creek WatershcdT)istrict .usually met the same night as the Environmental Board, so he had .04,1,9 vth them earlier. ondn responded en to Council. He ecause it was Schneider asked for more informatioitt4bout tWdlole of the Army Corps of Engineers. Asleson answered thewouldbehvo1ved if there was a headwater located on site. Schneider asked for a de n):: that it was City water a4 ii1g2nva Asleson added that it atiae 41,9 , Grundhofer inqi,4 a oulw em et Council was going to approve MUSA allocation. Chaton7eri:,,.tatediiat the Surface Water Management had already been approved. Asleson added the Rice Creek Watershed District had yet to be approvcd. A allocation. Chair Kukonen responded d was dictated by the Metropolitan Council. apacity to deal with sewage. o'conpLJa t1ie question about the possibility of asking the developer to commumai with Ed Vaughan Asleson spoke concerning the combined impact of the two db*dlopments. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency controlled the discharge rats. The developer was going to try to keep the water on site, or to use filtration. O'Connell made a motion to pass on the denial and the staff and Board recommendations: • Contact the St. Paul Regional Water Utility and Vadnais Lake Watershed District. • Buffering for Pipeline easement in the northeast corner lots. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 • Street lighting should be downward focused, no spillage. • As long as the developer was requesting a re -zoning would he consider a PDO to preserve an additional 17 acre additional open space. • Signage should be placed on buffer boundaries to indicate buffers exist, and covenants should be established with the homeowners' association prohibiting encroachment. Halen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Development Regulations Task Force Update Chair Kukonen presented the update. They were asked thcir dbsire to have development patterned after non-sewered, Jackson Mcadchyind apply the principles used there. The Comprehensive Plan re ult. 1.5thouses per acre. Asleson stated that the issue was economics. and tkelots were not necessarily variable within the development, but closerUtRit#pt that achieved open space in the back. The costs effecting infrastwV5wereliiirowing the roadways, reducing the length of the pipes, and utility"6017*. Grundhofer questioned economiqcente3a motivation. Asleson answered if the market supported the chang developers would do it. Chair Kukonen urged the neighborhoods and park )pictures of attractively designed lide presentation could be compiled. Asleson stated that vista crearqn,and houses closer to the streets with porches ;TA were popular. Chair Kukonen noted atIthe City had considered making it a three step process, with 0.7Environrnental Board receiving a sketch plan to work with the developers earlier*T the pr.ocss. 'Oretz answered that it was not going to pass, because it would nlifiR a for enough time for the City to respond within the 120 day period. In*tiqd it would be rolled into the preliminary plat requirements. 711,- Asleson addressed the ownership of buffer areas and greenways. He urged the use of covenants in buffer areas. The greenways needed to be public ownership, not for maintenance purposes, but for the good of the public with no encroachment of easements or property lines. B. Goals/2003 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 Asleson stated the Board was very active with the Task Force and it was still involved with the Landcover Classification. O'Connell noted the goal from 2001 #4 was helpful and should be done again. The Board assigned various members specific aspects of development to address on site plans. A second was to create a list of landscape companies for developers to hire. She wanted to revive the goal of intern assistance for staff, as well as tie into a budget request for education and promotion. 4,4 O'Dea inquired about the possibility of a Phosphorus Ordiff added the question to Chair Kukonen whether Phosphorus lex covered by an ordinance. O'Connell ere being Chair Kukonen responded there was no ordinance cove and none was being planned. He added to the list, money staff help was important, as well as to monitor the educate the community. 4 cisphbrus levels, orland acquisition and situation, and to Asleson noted that invasive species with bu."6 , mia4d earthworms, as examples, ..,-,T--.;',-,,,,,,4= would be good topics for the newsletter;4limpfet4would need to be repeated for people to remember the issues. Grundhofer-rt sponded that it was necessary to indicate an alternative species to bucktlipm because it was often chosen because the birds feed on the berries. Asleson urged the Board to focus4tAeducation, and to develop a working plan for public education, including gitiFith links with the Bell Museum. A coordinator would be needed to Amit to the newsletter, and to tap into local experts. Chair Kukonen distrihuted:histop1 .0 goals, and encouraged the other Board members to 0?ted in terms of tree preservation, the City was ahead of most cities. ASIepirephcurred and explained that the reason was that the systems supportcdth&•po1ices. Chair Kunei mqUired about the issue of tree replacement Asleson answered that the igters not active due to the legal issues. He stated negotiation for moving andlplacing trees on the original site was promoted because of the genetic banks with 8,000 years of adaptation would otherwise be lost. Chair Kukonen posed the question concerning staffs' need for a time limit for goals. He would like to revisit the goals at another meeting. Schneider indicated it would be helpful to prioritize the goals. O'Connell asked staff for a dollar figure for an intern. 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 Grundhofer questioned the amount of space the Board could use in the newsletter. Asleson answered he would find out how much space was available. 8 APPROVED 1VDNUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 C. Earth Day/Arbor Day Chair Kukonen indicated the theme for Earth Day was Your Backyard, however the Backyard Habitat brochures had not yet been received. Asleson stated that it was important to include the issue of exotic species. He added that two Girl Scout Troops wanted to participate, and that the budget for the celebration was good, and all supported by donations. O'Dea inquired about the need to help on Friday, May 3, 2002.' A,sleson answered that with the Trade -A -Tree program, where the homeowner ER010?tree to replace a tree under the wires, the City would receive an additional"' -'6c.. Staff planned to plant some of the City's trees under the wires at LinoLakes'- Elementary in honor of Arbor Day, and to qualify for „ . , F6If4 .S.A. Award. He called for suggestions on species that were not rare-i161;;Of angered. D. City Newsletter Schneider suggested the topic for the next niZilt O'Dea suggested a tips section with twto zero for the middle number when choting fe41 ;-' loading. Grundhofer added unresgaidedtbatsm populations. ei buckthorn. awn watering, and looking for a er to reduce phosphorus the bird and other wildlife Chair Kukonen advised t1, -.W-": _at submissions. He also cacumen night. April 1, 2002, was the deadline for n the Bldne Village being excessively lit at Asleson pointedout oF Blaine now had an Environmental Board, and had , been contacted about connecting greenways. Chair Kukonen stated that Board '',44;:taN„ffig members should ife - co•I•unec g with Blaine's Environmental Board members. diallita k \ 0' C011tie. staled.:,thit it e-tt6wsletter needed to be forwarded by E -Mail. She volunteet§. tq,.-Tcoor ate the suggestions and send them to staff and Board members liZomment, then the final draft to staff no later than Saturday, March 30, 2002. le Asleson identified for areas of interest that could be covered. Recycling issues, forestry such as oak wilt, common environmental issues, and soil topics such as compaction and runoff were staff concerns and would be topics of interest for the newsletter. 9 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 E. Environmental Board Ordinance and Job Description Chair Kukonen gave a brief history of the Environmental Board. In the early 1990's, there were several grassroots groups meeting throughout the City who were not satisfied with the City, so it decided to do a 2020 project. Two hundred people wanted to participate. They tabulated their likes and dislikes of the City and envisioned what it would look like in the year 2020. There were five areas of focus being growth, parks, educational systems, commercial development, and environmental issues. As a result, the City developed Boar" and a staff position to address the issues. Environmental Affairs began in spriiigf9, and became an official Board in 1998. 7. DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry This item was tabled to the April 24, 2002 meeting. B. Solid Waste Recycling 4:14.77N1 Asleson noted that Score funds were approvefor environmental education in Rice Lake Elementary using Trish and 'r, oons.t4ne area that needed to be adjusted was the cost structure for y. He did not have a set date for it but it would be on a Saturda Chair Kukonen indicated tlid dCor.v�1unteers to help with Recycling Day. Asleson indicated the hours were 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and usually the volunteers .gicK show up at 8 a.m. He nebde o Maw who would attend so that he could plan for food. 41,E, C. Environmental AslesgLsss0 the n issue. The ordinance has been finished and passed. There vsa s").;seti;$1 d'esincluded that needed to be addressed. The no wake zone wasg94,eet from the southernmost part of the island. The herons have begun returning. Centerville did not like the sunset clause. Channel 4 was going to do a publai$Iwareness segment on the herons. Peltier Lake's heron rookery was an important cultural land use issue. A related factor was that nearby land was previously illegally drained. It impacted the food chain because the birds feed on frogs, insects, and fish. Kukonen addressed the issue absences. According to the Bi -laws the Board member is supposed to contact the Chair or Vice -Chair, but members could contact Chair Kukonen and/or Asleson. 10 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 27, 2002 Councilperson Carlson updated the Board on the City of Centerville meeting. They had passed the no wake zone ordinance. They also passed a motion to meet with the City of Lino Lakes to discuss the sunset clause. 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on April 24, 2002. There being no further business, Schneider moved to adjou'inr seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 11 APPROVED MINUTES City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting March 27, 2002 6:30 p.m. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. OPEN MIKE 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Stoneybrook, Preliminary Plat, Rezone,MUSA/Comp Plan Amendment 6. Discussion Items A. Development Regulations Task Force Update B. Goals/2003 C. Earth Day/Arbor Day D. City Newsletter E. Environmental Board Ordinance and Job Description 7. DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry B. Solid Waste Recycling C. Environmental 8. ADJOURN