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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2004 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 CITY OF LINO LAKES DRAFT MINUTES DATE : May 26, 2004 TIME STARTED : 6:38 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:22 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bauman, Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, Mary Jo O’Dea, and Dennis Smith MEMBERS ABSENT : Barbara Bor STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 28, 2004 O’Dea made a motion to postpone approval of the April 28, 2004 meeting minutes. Bauman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Discuss Information Rack in 6C. • Discuss Fill on site adjacent to Lake Drive in 6C. • Discuss Minutes of April 28, 2004 later in the meeting. The Board approved the agenda as amended. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Continued - West Shadow Ponds Second Addition - Preliminary Plat/Rezone/MUSA Allocation This item was discussed later in the meeting. B. Marshan Townhomes Second Addition - Conditional Use Permit/PUD/Preliminary Plat Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 Ron Fuchs of Hokanson Development, Inc. 9174 Isanti Street N.E., Blaine, Minnesota, 55434, indicated that the plan was different from the prior plan. The homes would be duplexes or triplexes. He highlighted that there was 70% Open Space. Rice Creek Watershed District was reviewing the septic proposal on June 21, 2004. Chair Kukonen inquired if the silo was found to be worth preserving. Mr. Fuchs responded that they were not worth maintaining. Asleson indicated that the roads and parking could not be calculated in for open space. Chair Kukonen inquired if the allotted parking spaces had been exceeded. Mr. Fuchs stated that the number of spaces had been exceeded because two spaces were made for the driveway. O’Dea questioned if the existing pond was going to be expanded. Asleson answered that the issue was being verified by TKDA. Grundhofer inquired about a lighting plan. Mr. Fuchs responded that they were standard with downward directional lighting fixtures. Chair Kukonen asked for verification that they were downward focused, no spill type. Mr. Fuchs answered that they had a cap on the fixture. He presented a diagram of the fixtures to the Board. Chair Kukonen stated he believed that the proposed lights were similar to the ones he had on his property, and he purchased the best available. O’Dea inquired if the fixtures were to be mounted on the dwellings. Mr. Fuchs indicated that they were on the homes. O’Connell questioned if there would be additional street lighting. Mr. Fuchs responded that there would be no street lighting. O’Dea posed the question if there were any trails planned on the site. Mr. Fuchs answered there were none planned. Grundhofer inquired the location of the lowest point on site. Mr. Fuchs stated that it had an elevation of 889, with a six-foot elevation change over the site. Water would flow from the Southeast and Northeast portions to the Northwest. Grundhofer stated she had noticed butternut in the key of one of the maps, but not in the map itself. She inquired if it was to be removed. Asleson responded that it probably was to be removed. He later indicated that he believed the key was generic, because he did not see anything when he walked the property. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 Grundhofer inquired if the pond had been approved. Mr. Fuchs answered that the bond had been released. He explained if the pond was favorable, the money would be released. Asleson mentioned the soil was disturbed. The Board summarized the recommendations of the Board: • Change species per previous recommendations. • Landscaped areas with sod should be deep tilled 6-8 inches. • No importing or exporting of soils without City approval. • The City should work with the homeowner association and the developer to reseed with native plants around the pond. The Board discussed soil preparation for landscaping. Chair Kukonen inquired about any plans for the open space. Mr. Fuchs answered that it would be kept open with only benches or possibly walking trails. He added that they would not be touching the existing storm water pond. O’Connell questioned if native grasses could be planted in the open space. Mr. Fuchs indicated that they would be maintained by the association. The homeowner association from this site would be kept separate from the one from the other addition. Chair Kukonen admitted he could not find the plans for the open space. Asleson responded that it would be sodded and should be irrigated. Mr. Fuchs stated the intent was to have the open space similar to that of the other addition. O’Connell inquired about the Shoreland areas in the other addition. Asleson stated that it looked all right. He indicated grass would not survive at that location. There were natives in the swale areas, and experimentation with natives in other areas. Bauman noted that some homeowners might be concerned with the use of native seed mixes and prescribed burns with the proximity to the houses. • If sodded, the areas should be irrigated. Asleson questioned where the water collected on the property. Grundhofer added that Lake Drive did not have curbs or gutters so it was an important question. Mr. Fuchs answered that it moved from the South to the East. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 Asleson asked for confirmation that it eventually would flow into the pond. Mr. Fuchs responded that it would move to the pond. Grundhofer made a motion to recommend approval with the previous and present recommendations from staff and the Board. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. C. West Shadow Ponds Second Addition - Preliminary Plat/Rezone/MUSA Allocation Chair Kukonen turned the meeting over to Vice Chair O’Dea and removed himself from the Board due to possible conflict of interest. Asleson reviewed the background and analysis of the information provided. He noted that the site was less than 5000 square feet. He had met with Mr. Carlson prior to the meeting. Due to the proximity of the existing house, the East side could not have a buffer. It was suggested that a retaining wall might be created. Bauman inquired if the wetland fill would be under the covenant. Asleson stated that it would not be under the covenant, but be built into the deed. Grundhofer questioned if the deed would be enough documentation. She noted an example that the Army Corps of Engineers stated that a homeowner needed more documentation. Asleson stated that it was a possibility that there would be a retaining wall, but it had not been decided. He suggested the Board could recommend signage. Grundhofer added that signage might be placed on the North end of the property. Asleson noted that the wetland began almost at the line, so the signs could be put there. O’Connell mentioned the soil should be compatible. The Board summarized the Board recommendations: • All imported or exported soils should be approved by the City. • Sodded areas should be deep-tilled 6-8 inches. Treed areas should not be deep- tilled. Grundhofer inquired if there would be any native seeding, possibly around the wetland area. Asleson answered that it would be a restoration project because it would be so extensive. • Native seed should be planted in buffer areas. Smith referred to the language in the Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants, and inquired if additional wording was needed. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 • Native seed in buffer areas if disturbance or replanting occurs and that Item 5a on page 2 of the Deed Restrictions should include language specifying the City’s native seed mix. Vice Chair O’Dea inquired about the tree protection fenced areas. • Show tree preservation area fences. • Delineation of wetland areas using signage to indicate “no filling, no mowing, no dumping,” on the North and East sides of Property 2 and North side of Property 1. Bauman made a motion to recommend approval with staff and Board recommendations. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chair O’Dea turned the meeting over to Chair Kukonen. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 28, 2004 Page 2, third paragraph: “Chair Kukonen responded that it might be good for the Board to emphasize deep-tilling the soil to decrease compaction and soil layering.” Page 2, eighth paragraph: “O’Dea mentioned that barley hay was being used in some areas to treat ponds instead of chemicals.” Page 3, fifth paragraph: “Earth-friendly fertilizer (i.e., no phosphorus) and contain product to lawn or garden. If spilling on impervious surfaces should happen, broom or brush it back as you should with clippings.” Page 5, third paragraph: “Asleson mentioned he received a letter from Chris Lord a couple of weeks ago for a county-wide open space. The letter was asking for a partnership in a program from July 2005 to June 2007.” Page 5, fourth paragraph: “Asleson stated they wanted to develop a close relationship with developers.” O’Dea made a motion to approve the April 28, 2004 meeting minutes. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Peltier Lake Ordinance/Heron Update Asleson stated that the Sunset Clause had been removed. He believed it was a good decision. He noted there were 354 nests sighted, with nearly all the nests occupied. The graduate student had the videotapes of the daily life, but had not reviewed them all. He was occupied with changing the batteries in the cameras that needed to be changed every two to three days and weighed 80 pounds each. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 O’Dea indicated that Asleson had stated the egrets had not returned, but she had seen some. Asleson responded that that was an earlier report, but since then he had seen them too. B. Solid Waste Updates/Alternate Contact/Mary Eide Asleson stated that Mary Eide lived in the area that was a part of the FireWise Program. She volunteered to go to the Solid Waste meetings. The recycling revenue from Recycling Day had almost doubled. The amount had increased because of residents dropping off electronics. He indicated the SCORE Report would soon be completed. O’Dea inquired if there was a means to obtain information about recycling bins. Chair Kukonen stated that the Board could call every hauler and print up how they recycle. C. Other Discussion Items Asleson spoke with others who preferred a shorter rack. He spoke of the importance the rack is maintained. He suggested that someone help with it. He noted there were interesting Extension classes coming up. Joan Galli also had brochures about cats outdoors. Grundhofer inquired if it would hold 8.5” X 11” papers. Asleson stated that it could hold standard sheets. He suggested material about Recycling Days, and Earth Day as well. Chair Kukonen stated that the rack could hold 40 items, and reiterated that the material needed to remain current. He recommended the Board confirm the information was correct. In addition, the Board should contact the author to make sure that the material could be copied. They could rotate the material, if needed. Grundhofer presented a brochure on rain gardens. Chair Kukonen mentioned the brochures from the utility companies that suggest trees that are good choices beneath power lines. He suggested that the Board come up with native species and send the information to the utility companies. He suggested information on planting on a drainfield or mound system. Smith answered that the Extension had information on that. Grundhofer wanted to call attention to the property on Lake Drive adjacent to the Veterinary Clinic with fill in the North. Asleson stated that Rice Creek Watershed District and others had complaints on file. He assured the Board that he would call concerning the issue tomorrow. He noted that it was also a drainage easement. 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 Asleson mentioned a pond restoration was taking place in Clearwater Creek Second Addition on the Northern side off of Tart Lake Road. The Target site and Pannetoni site would be restored by the same company. Grundhofer mentioned the Pannetoni site had the semi pads facing the highway. Asleson indicated that their choice of tree was native to the Northeastern United States. They have irrigation to establish natives on the Pannetoni site and would just turn them off when they become established. Chair Kukonen suggested that NEMO could bring the other environmental boards together. Asleson indicated that the project NEMO put on at Rice Creek Watershed District was a good presentation. Several developers were in attendance. J. Michaels was also at the meeting. Grundhofer called Mahtomedi and they indicated that an environmental group was beginning. Chair Kukonen indicated that for the City of Afton their environmental committee was a subgroup of the Planning Commission with similar responsibilities to the Board. They were in the process of establishing a strategy for Open Space Dedication and becoming involved in the process. Asleson stated that if the Board could compile their findings, he could forward the information to J. Michaels to show what was being done. O’Dea noted she spoke to Champlin that had a group that had similar functions and the staff contact was the City Clerk. She encouraged the Board members to find out the staff contact person because board members changed regularly. Grundhofer stated that address, phone numbers and E-Mail addresses were needed for the new Board members. Chair Kukonen added that the rosters could then be updated and distributed to all the Board members. In addition, the new Board members needed copies of the Zoning Ordinance. 7. OTHER DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry This item was tabled to the June 30, 2004 meeting. B. Solid Waste Recycling/Recycling Day This item was tabled to the June 30, 2004 meeting. C. Environmental 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MAY 26, 2004 This item was tabled to the June 30, 2004 meeting. 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on June 30, 2004. There being no further business, O’Dea moved to adjourn at 8:22 p.m. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 8 APPROVED MINUTES