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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/2004 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : February 25, 2004 TIME STARTED : 6:35 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:50 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bor (arrived at 6:37 p.m.), Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, Mary Jo O’Dea, and Dennis Smith MEMBERS ABSENT : Barbara Bauman STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 17, 2003 Page 3, seventh paragraph: “Chair Kukonen indicated another goal could be to put information in the hallway for citizens to help themselves or request copies.” Page 5, first paragraph, fourth bullet: “Petition to have the sunset clause removed from Peltier Lake and to continue to monitor the Heron Rookery and the Northern one-third of the lake.” Grundhofer made a motion to approve the December 17, 2003 meeting minutes. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. January 21, 2004 Grundhofer made a motion to approve the January 21, 2004 meeting minutes. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. January 28, 2004 Page 4, third paragraph, fourth bullet: “Inform developer regarding restrictions on the drainage easement to follow NPDES rules.” Page 4, sixth paragraph: “Grundhofer made a motion the recommendations are only in the three residential lots.” Page 5, second paragraph: “Asleson recommended if there would be additional impervious, they would need to put in rain gardens.” Page 5, seventh paragraph: add the bullet point “Information should be given to property owners concerning the Shoreland Ordinance.” Page 6, third paragraph: “He inquired how the City was doing on addressing the components of the NPDES. Ms. Dubats responded she would work on the NPDES regulation and basic education information at many different levels.” 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Page 6, fourth paragraph: “Asleson indicated the new Rice Creek Watershed District administrator wanted a more large-scale plan and qualify wetlands based on their value.” Page 8, tenth paragraph: “Chair Kukonen mentioned that Robert Lockyear was good with planning for the Comprehensive Plan and NEMO.” Page 10, eighth paragraph: “O’Dea reminded the Board how far they had come.” Grundhofer made a motion to approve the January 28, 2004 meeting minutes. O’Dea seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Board approved the agenda. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Oakwood View/Rice Creek Covenant Church Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. He indicated the site was wet most of the year. He expressed concern for the wetland delineation and had contacted Rice Creek Watershed District indicating it was short on the wetland side. Sharon Penner, the Vice Chair of Rice Creek Covenant Church admitted she did not know much of the process and indicated the church was willing to comply with any concerns of the Board. Chair Kukonen stated that the Board was an Advisory Board, which would then give recommendations to Council. Ms. Penner noted that they would go to Planning and Zoning Board on March 10, 2004. O’Dea inquired about the “O” in the driveway on the first attachment. Smith stated he believed it was a pond or a rain garden. O’Connell indicated she believed it was a roundabout. Asleson answered it was a rainwater garden. O’Dea asked for clarification if the arrows denoted the direction of flow. Smith responded that the flow was to the West. Asleson recommended the water should be directed into the pond. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Smith inquired if the pond was raised. O’Dea stated she believed it was a collector. Chair Kukonen questioned Ms. Penner if there would be any permanent residents. Ms. Penner indicated they wanted to make it a residence for developmentally disabled individuals. Chair Kukonen inquired about parking requirements for the residence. Asleson answered that it would be based on its use. Chair Kukonen asked when construction would begin. Ms. Penner indicated the church needed to know if it could be zoned for it. She noted that it could be thought of as two developments. Asleson inquired if the church would be running the residence. Ms. Penner responded that it would be managed by a corporation of the denomination. Chair Kukonen stated that he would like to have a field study done to make sure there were no rare plant species. Grundhofer asked if it needed to be done in June. Asleson stated that it could be done earlier. Ms. Penner stated that they were told that they needed to comply with the recommendations of the Boards and be flexible on the position of the building. Asleson expressed concern on the timing of the Northern and Southern phases of the site. Ms. Penner answered the Northern section was required to go through Metropolitan Council, and 2004 requests were filled. They were told by the City to bring both phases in together. There was a possibility that one might be approved while the other could be denied. Grundhofer noted that funding would need to be procured for the residence. She inquired if the homes would help fund the residence. Ms. Penner responded that they would be separate. The homes would help fund an expansion in the sanctuary. Smith referred to Attachment 6 about the meaning of the blue lines. He inquired if the residents would be on the floodplain and would there be FEMA issues. Asleson responded the interest of the Board was the hydrologic component. Grundhofer referred to the first large attachment and concerned the upland setbacks on Lot 9 and Lot 7. She asked if fill would be needed to bring them up to street level. Asleson answered that there was a grading area, and they did not want garages downhill. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 O’Connell inquired if walkout basements were necessary with the amount of fill needed. Asleson noted the grading plan indicated it would be built up. He did not know their budget. He urged the Board to make a recommendation. Grundhofer asked for clarification that the surmountable curbs would be adequate for turtles to overcome. Asleson answered that based on a model they would be able to get over the curb. O’Dea inquired if the number of parking stalls could be reduced. Ms. Penner admitted it exceeded the minimum. She assured the Board that she would check into the matter. Grundhofer question if the backyards would be wetland. Asleson stated usually the City retained an easement. The Aspen might remain with a 50-foot buffer. It was a duck pond with organics. Smith inquired if the wetland would become isolated and not have the hydrology to sustain its present state. Grundhofer questioned if the water direction was known. Asleson responded it was to the West. If the Nitrogen enters the system it would reduce biodiversity. Grundhofer inquired if the adjacent property owners would be notified prior to the Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Ms. Penner answered that they were holding an informal meeting on Monday. The neighbors had already received letters inviting them to the informal meeting. They would be invited to the Planning and Zoning meeting at that time. Chair Kukonen asked if the Board would see it again due to the future wetland delineation. Asleson responded usually not, but the recommendation could be made to see it again. He continued that the hydrology soils and plant communities took place last year. Bor asked for confirmation that there would be no formal review process at Rice Creek Watershed District. Asleson agreed that nothing formal, but usually their review took place one week following the Environmental Board meeting. Chair Kukonen stated that it was necessary for a more thorough review. Asleson responded that the delineators worked for the client. Grundhofer inquired if on the tree inventory included Hackleberry, or was it a typographical error for Hackberry. Asleson stated it was. Chair Kukonen questioned Ms. Penner if the church was willing to delay the Southern portion until a rare plant species study could take place. Ms. Penner responded that they would not move forward until it had been done. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Grundhofer inquired if it went through the Planning and Zoning Board, would it be finished. Asleson stated that if an issue was found, he would notify other staff and Board as an update. Bor stated that if a Comprehensive Plan Amendment was required, it would take time, with ample time for the study to take place. Chair Kukonen reviewed the recommendations from the Board: • Grading should be done to facilitate the water flow into the pond within the turnabout. • No soils should be imported or exported without City approval. • Reduce parking as much as possible. • The Environmental Board strongly recommended a 50-foot buffer around the wetland area. • A management plan should be in place. • Signage for property owners to inhibit dumping. Smith inquired how it would be enforced. Asleson gave the example of Clearwater Creek being self-policed by the neighbors. He had received calls and sent letters to residents. Grundhofer stated the homeowners needed to know that they were purchasing wetlands. O’Connell inquired if the Board could suggest no walk-out basements. Asleson answered they could not. Smith stated utility and drainage easements would be included, so no additional recommendations would be needed. He questioned if there were any plans for management access. Asleson indicated it would be legally described and recorded. Grundhofer urged them to follow the ordinance for tree preservation. Asleson stated that they needed to submit a tree preservation plan. • Submit Tree Preservation Plan. Smith inquired if the developer did the tree inventory. Asleson answered the developer hired someone to do it. Chair Kukonen had questions concerning plans for lighting. Asleson responded that no lighting plan had been submitted. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 • Lighting should be downward focused, no spill, with lights turned off at a certain time. O’Dea made a motion to recommend approval with staff and Board recommendations. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. Highland Meadows East 2nd Addition Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. He noted there was no Tree Inventory submitted. The road had been narrowed by two feet. Steve Schmidt introduced himself and noted that it was zoned industrial. It would be similar to the development in Coon Rapids with homes about 1800 square feet with 3 car garages. Asleson inquired where the soils would be coming from. Mr. Schmidt stated that those sites they had explored were not adequate, they were planning to pursue some in Forest Lake. He assured that they would make sure the City approved the soil. Grundhofer questioned if there would be decks. Mr. Schmidt responded that the middle unit would not have a deck, but the others would. Grundhofer inquired about the block areas. Mr. Schmidt answered they were lot size. He added that ornamental trees would be between the units with private roads. Grundhofer questioned if there would be sod around the townhouses, so each rectangle would be the yard. Chair Kukonen inquired if the rest of the area was defined as open space. He was confused about the percentages. Open Space P.U.D. was defined as 50% pervious open space. Grundhofer expressed concern for the 30 tree removals. She asked for the reason trees #1100-#1102 would be removed, because they were not near any building or street. Mr. Schmidt answered that they were two pines and an elm. The pines were under 3 feet, and the elm probably would not live long. Asleson noted the concern for the soils was changing the compaction and pervious effect. Mr. Schmidt responded that they could bring in more sand and organic matter. Asleson stated that native species did not need organics. 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Smith inquired about the reason for removing the small trees. Mr. Troy Lithguard with the engineering firm answered it would be according to Rice Creek Watershed District specifications. O’Dea suggested reducing the overflow parking. Mr. Schmidt agreed he would like to reduce them. Chair Kukonen recommended the minimum parking spaces. Mr. Schmidt agreed with the three car garages it could be possible. Chair Kukonen questioned if the Board could recommend at or below the minimum parking spaces. O’Dea inquired if there were any concerns for other neighbors and would they be willing to buffer for them. O’Connell indicated that it appeared the site was zoned R-1 per a 1998 map of the area. Asleson answered that the issue was addressed in a staff report. • Effective buffering for neighboring areas. Bor inquired if there was a formal Landscape Plan. Mr. Schmidt stated there was one, and they had copies. He distributed the Landscape Plan to the Board. Asleson noted there was no Landscape Plan in the file. He expressed concern about the long cul-de-sac. Bor asked if they could speak through the plan and its impacts, since they had not received it previously. Mr. Lithguard stated that trees would be planted at the entrance. Asleson recommended that the Colorado Spruce and Austrian Pine be replaced with White Pine or White Spruce. Bor expressed concern about the impacts of salt. Asleson answered that Austrian Pine was salt tolerant. Bor inquired if the streets would be plowed by the City. Mr. Schmidt responded that it would be maintained by the association. He added if trees died and needed to be removed, the association would be responsible for it. Grundhofer had questions concerning the natural areas. Mr. Schmidt answered that the areas would not be excavated, but sodded and irrigated. 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Asleson stated it was not going to work. He recommended that it should be left alone or planted with native grasses. Mr. Schmidt responded his actions would depend on tree coverage. If it was Buckthorn, it would be removed. O’Connell inquired where the natural drainage pattern was. She noted at present there was a large pond on site. Asleson added the pond took up the entire site. Mr. Schmidt clarified there was supposed to be an additional pond, but it was never installed. Asleson mentioned the road was not as wide as it was previously. Mr. Schmidt stated that there would be no parking allowed on the road. Asleson stated that the buffering and screening requirements would still apply to the site, but not the road. O’Connell expressed concern for the lighting fixtures. Mr. Schmidt stated there would be two small lights on a ten-foot post. Grundhofer noted that the City ordinance required the light be downcast. Chair Kukonen asked the developers to demonstrate the 50% open space. Mr. Lithguard answered the amount of green space was 75%. O’Dea noted the information stated 74.3% pervious. Grundhofer expressed her confusion on how the numbers were derived. Asleson noted that houses were considered impervious. O’Connell indicated that the 50% did not include the lots. Mr. Schmidt responded the engineers calculated the numbers. Grundhofer stated that she believed the numbers needed to be verified, and it needed to comply with the open space standards of a P.U.D. • It must be demonstrated that it complies with open space performance standards for a P.U.D. according to the Zoning Ordinance. O’Dea made a motion to recommend approval with the recommendations of staff and the Board. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 8 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Earth Day Asleson noted there was a meeting planned for Thursday February 26, 2004. Grundhofer mentioned letters had been sent out to Neighborhood Crime Watch captains. They were instructed to notify their neighbors of the Earth Day celebration. Asleson stated he spoke with Mike Hoffman and was willing to do his wood duck houses again this year. Grundhofer indicated the time of the meeting would be at 6:30 p.m. at Wargo Nature Center. O’Connell noted the food had been taken care of, but the beverages still needed to be finalized. B. Fire Wise/Pine Vista Asleson stated the process was progressing. There were three more parcels to inventory for thinning. They would be holding the bidding soon for possibly 500- 600 cords of tub grindings. They were waiting for the grant to come in through the DNR. Jim Wilson, a new forester from Forest Lake was going to help. The concern was not merely a fire standpoint, but also a disease standpoint as well. It would be healthier for people and the ecosystem. C. Open Space Plan Update and Joint Meeting Asleson noted there would be a joint meeting followed by the regular meeting March 31, 2004. They were going to meet with Brower and Associates to define a new level for open space. The definition of greenway had evolved over the years. Chair Kukonen stated it would be important to attain a contiguous network. O’Dea suggested that the perspective of the Board be given to the Parks and Recreation Board, and theirs be given to the Board for better understanding before the meeting. She inquired if the Metro Greenway people could be tied in as well and attend the meeting. Asleson assured the Board he would call them on Thursday. 9 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2004 D. Other Updates and Discussion Items O’Connell mentioned the front page of the newsletter was nicely done. The beetles were tied into the Buckthorn issue, and the residents would be very motivated to remove the Buckthorn. O’Dea inquired if it had ever been discussed to change the Board’s meeting time, so that Rice Creek Watershed District’s review could be addressed in the Board’s meeting. Asleson stated that the Board’s meeting time was important for the City’s timeline. He stated he would mention it to Rice Creek Watershed District about it. Smith mentioned he would not be able to attend the March meeting. Asleson stated the display rack would need to be similar to those by the fire hydrant. He recommended making it an agenda item to decide what articles to include in the rack. Chair Kukonen added that they could make copies as well. Asleson noted that the Board members should visit the Spirit Hills Commercial areas, because Netlawn had been put in and had signage recommending parking on it. It was working. Dennis Smith still needed to be sworn in for the Board. 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on March 31, 2004. There being no further business, O’Connell moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 10 APPROVED MINUTES