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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/27/2005 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : April 27, 2005 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:48 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bor, Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, Mary Jo O’Dea, and Dennis Smith (arrived at 6:38 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT : Barbara Bauman STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 30, 2005 Page 3, third paragraph: “B. Resolution Supporting CRT Waste Disposal” Page 4, fifth paragraph: “Bor suggested at a future meeting the City Lighting Ordinance be reviewed, so when Plans are reviewed we discuss lighting in accordance to the Ordinance.” Page 5, seventh paragraph: “Chair O’Dea stated it would be worth having the PDF for rainbarrels, raingardens, lakescaping, and native plants brochures in color copies.” Page 6, eighth paragraph: “Several businesses could be very close to meeting the certification requirements.” Page 7, first paragraph: “Asleson answered that he should contact Mark Quillan for that information.” Page 7, fifth paragraph: “Bor indicated it would be helpful to view the vegetation.” Page 8, seventh paragraph: “Bor reported that they were a beautiful sight to see them on the island, but the numbers were low.” Kukonen made a motion to approve the March 30, 2005 meeting minutes. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Delete section 5C. • Discuss AUAR Update in Other 6E. The Board approved the agenda as amended. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 4. OPEN MIKE Ken DuFresne of Walters Recycling and Refuse, Inc., also a member of the Public Safety Commission, addressed the Board. He expressed concern about the VFW, which had several containers, with an enclosure not large enough for the trucks to access. Another example was McDonald’s that had a gate that was too small. The recycling was outside of the enclosure and out of compliance. He asked the City to recommend situating the enclosures for easy access. A third example was Caribou Coffee that had to be dumped at 2:00 a.m., because the enclosure was located in the drive-through. For his industry, the environmental ramifications and staff safety issues were long-term. He requested that the City ensure they were in compliance, with adequate room for recycling. Mr. DuFresne indicated the largest impediment to organic composting was government. O’Connell inquired about the details of recycling. Mr. DuFresne responded that recycling needed to be separate from garbage and labeled differently. Bor questioned if there was a recommended size necessary based on certain factors and type of industry. Mr. DuFresne answered that there was no spreadsheet-like rules to guide. His industry needs adequate access and a 10-foot gate that had the means to stay open for dumping. He mentioned that his background was environmental science and business. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Settings of Woods Edge Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. Grundhofer inquired if the buffer should be more than 10 feet. Asleson responded Rice Creek Watershed District required 10 feet, and the buffer varied from 10-45 feet. Bor inquired where the stormwater would be directed. Grochala answered the water would go to ponds 1 and 2. Some parking areas along the street would be pervious. He indicated the plan had been approved by Rice Creek Watershed District. There were 450 parking spaces in the area, with the larger buildings having underground parking. O’Connell stated the retaining wall had a beach look to it, and inquired if its purpose was merely landscaping. Grochala responded the site was being built up 4-feet from the groundwater elevation. Because of this, the back of the townhomes had up to a 6-foot drop in elevation. No retaining wall would be seen from the street, but would be seen from the wetland. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 Kukonen questioned the types of lighting fixtures planned. Mr. Fuchs indicated the western side of the development on the pedestrian entrances would have the Majestic unit. The Regency would be used in the rear entrance, because the two accesses had to be lit. Grundhofer inquired if the rear was by the wetland. Mr. Fuchs answered it was on the side of the wetland and would include a 100-watt down-directed bulb, with the bulb being inside the fixture. Kukonen stated the further the bulb could be in the fixture, the better. He mentioned recently he purchased such a fixture for his residence. Mr. Fuchs asked where a fixture could be obtained. Kukonen responded that it was made by Thomas and available at Menard’s. Mr. Fuchs noted that the planned fixtures were used by the developer in Heritage Square in Maplewood. He added that the fixtures would be controlled from inside the residences, not automatically turned on. Grochala stated that the streetlights had a dome lens fixture. The recommended one was a slight bubble on the bottom of the fixture. Fewer lights would be necessary, and it was found that the lights would be more directed. Chair O’Dea asked for clarification on the pond access trail. Mr. Sikich stated the darker trail was to be paved. Smith inquired about refuse and recycling enclosures. Mr. Fuchs answered all the residential refuse containers were in the garages. Chair O’Dea questioned if there would be a homeowners’ association. Mr. Fuchs responded there would be, but they were undecided if it would be one or several. Chair O’Dea recommended using one hauler to reduce the traffic and pollution. Bor asked for confirmation that the buffer would be maintained by the homeowners’ association. Grochala confirmed the buffer and all the landscaping would be the responsibility of the association. Chair O’Dea inquired about the maintenance of the paving stones. Grochala answered it would be maintained by the City. They had similar maintenance to regular roads, except instead of the sweeper, a vacuum truck would be used. Asleson stated that infiltration was high at first, becoming increasingly less pervious, but did not drop below the minimum. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 Bor expressed concern about the maintenance of native grasses. She wanted to minimize fire risk to structures. Grochala stated the retaining wall provided significant protection. Sikich inquired if it would be cut or burned. Asleson stated burning would not be a problem if the wind was blowing toward the lake. He noted that there was a burn right up to City Hall building. Chair O’Dea questioned if the tamarack would be impacted by the development. Asleson stated he was going to pursue the issue further, but they had already been impacted when the highway was established. Grundhofer asked where the gutters were directed. Sikich answered that they would be directed to a lower pervious surface. Smith asked if seeds could take hold in the pavers. Sikich responded that it usually was not an issue. Grochala added that the entire area was a maintenance intensive area with the planters and plantings with considerable mulch and irrigation. The pavers would be vacuum swept twice a year. Chair O’Dea reviewed the recommendations of the Board: • Lighting on the back side of the units near the wetlands should use more recessed light fixtures to reduce spill. • Permashields should be used on the security lights. • Agreement with an approved contractor to establish and maintain the native seed mixes. • Signage near retaining wall. • Follow staff recommendations. Bor made a motion to recommend approval with staff recommendations and those from the Board. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. Lino Lakes Marketplace 3rd Addition Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. O’Connell inquired if the previous plan could be shown to the Board. Chair O’Dea asked for clarification on the Landscape Plan. Asleson answered the markers she was seeing denoted seed green junipers that would spread out as they grew. Grundhofer mentioned she would not want as many of that species. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 Chair O’Dea indicated it would make sense to extend the tree line to the back of the property. Asleson responded they would have to use soil that would support those species. Kukonen stated it appeared the parking requirements had been exceeded with 72 spaces. Asleson stated the number could be reduced or incorporate pervious parking. Grundhofer mentioned the skyline would be nice to have honey locust there. Asleson responded the roots were the larger issue, but should be consistent with other areas. O’Connell tried to identify the trash enclosure area, and believed they were in the northwest corner. She inquired if the Board was only supposed to address the commercial. Asleson answered that the Board was only looking at the retail section. Kukonen questioned if the haulers would submit bids for the job. Chair O’Dea mentioned the area needed to be accessible and large enough, with 8-foot minimum depth and 10-foot access doors. The Board discussed the parameters of a recommendation. Grundhofer inquired about a dotted area. Grochala responded the area denoted a paved sidewalk area. Chair O’Dea mentioned no importing or exporting of any soils without City approval. Kukonen indicated that 15 stalls for the retail could be spill over from the restaurant. O’Connell inquired about C41. Grochala answered there was a storm water sewer at that location. O’Connell questioned if anything was to be planted there. Asleson stated a tree could be planted that would not spread out much. Chair O’Dea reviewed the recommendations from the Board: • Line the streets with trees as previously proposed, and ensure there would be adequate supporting soil. • Reduce the number of parking stalls to the minimum per the ordinance. • No importing or exporting of soils without City approval. • The trash and recycling enclosure must be accessible by truck at any time, have a 10-foot door opening and be an adequate size allowing for expansion. • Safety lighting should be shielded or hooded. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 • Follow staff recommendations. Kukonen made a motion to recommend the approval with the staff and Board recommendations. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Goals/Project Review/Grill and Chill/Market Place & Community Wildlife Habitat Chair O’Dea and O’Connell recapped that several of the Board members had conducted a site visit to review the recommendations that were effective. The lighting on the patio, specifically the decorative and safety lighting could have been improved. The parking lot island had gray rock, not earth tones as recommended. Bor clarified that the goal of doing site visits was to clarify the Board’s recommendations. Grochala stated there was a strip of rock in between the sidewalks, because sod would not survive. Asleson added the rock provided some infiltration. Grundhofer expressed concern about the 2-4 lights on the patio of the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill. Grochala responded they could follow up. O’Connell mentioned that Dairy Queen had a vision that all Grill and Chills look similar. Chair O’Dea stated that the Board should review the lighting ordinance. Grundhofer inquired if a business did not follow the ordinance, could it still be changed. Kukonen stated that the parking was 3 spaces over the minimum. Grochala answered that the City required a minimum, but did not have an upper parameter. Kukonen suggested that possibly Netlawn could be recommended if they met the impervious requirements. Asleson stated it was a good recommendation. He mentioned that Spirit Hills would be a good second site visit. Chair O’Dea inquired about the dewatering at Birch Street and County Road 49. Grochala responded they were making adjustments on the water main. Chair O’Dea asked for an update on the Community Wildlife Habitat. Grundhofer answered at Earth Day about 20 brochures where distributed. In addition, a Boy Scout district manager expressed interest in assisting the City on 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 this goal. She had added up 120 points toward the 375 points required for the certification. Grochala noted that all of Fox Den would probably qualify for the backyard habitat certification. The signage was optional. Kukonen stated that some brochures were left and could be handed out at the City Recycling Day. B. Arbor Day Update Asleson stated that they were planning to plant 250 red oak seedlings for Arbor Day. In addition, a couple of flowering crabs would be planted in memorial. They were going to have to deal with soil compaction issues. C. Recycling Day Asleson invited the Board to participate in the City’s Recycling Day and indicated that any help would be appreciated. He mentioned the volunteers who had already committed to being at the event. Bor inquired if a notice would be given in the Quad. Asleson responded it would be mentioned in the Quad. He indicated the prices had not changed much since last Fall. D. Other Added Items This item was tabled to the May 25, 2005 Board meeting. E. AUAR Update Asleson noted the draft should be done by May 4, 2005. There would be a team meeting on May 9, 2005. He inquired if a special Environmental Board Meeting could be held to review the document on May 18, 2005. Smith indicated he was not available to attend. Grochala stated the reason for having a special meeting was to have the document out for public comment by May 23, 2005. He asked if Board members would be available during the week of May 14, 2005. Asleson responded if no applications were submitted for review, there would be time during the regular May meeting. Grochala indicated Council could be pushed back, but they needed to remain within the 120-day time frame. Bor stated the document should not go to Council until it was commented on from both bodies. 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 27, 2005 Grochala clarified the Team meeting was the consultant team. Asleson indicated the review could take two hours. He stated cameras were being placed on Peltier Island, but had not been done earlier because it was too cold. Bor noted that Steve counted 72 birds on nests. Asleson stated the loggers were coming soon for the Firewise Program. A letter was being sent to residents. Asleson indicated that they were breaking ground in Fox Den. Jason Husveth was working on the project. Chair O’Dea stated that Earth Day was successful this year. Asleson concurred and added the food was good. Kukonen noted the Living Green Expo was to be at the State Fair Grounds this weekend. Grundhofer mentioned Friends of the School was to be at the State Fair Grounds May 6-8, and would have native plants available. 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on May 25, 2005. There being no further business, Kukonen moved to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 8 APPROVED MINUTES