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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/31/2007 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : January 31, 2007 TIME STARTED : 6:34 P.M. TIME ENDED : 9:15 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Mary Jo O’Dea, Martha DeHaven, Barbara Bor, Kimberly Brouillet, Alan Traylor, Peter Brown, Paula Andrzejewski MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson, 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. 2. INTRODUCTION AND SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBERS Mayor Bergeson presented the oath to the newly elected board members, as well as the swearing in. 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS This Item moved to the February agenda. Board members gave a brief introduction of themselves to board. Peter Brown has lived in Lino Lakes for 25 years. He is a retired school administrator and athletic director. Paula Andrzejewski has lived in Lino Lakes for over 20 years. She teaches 5th grade at Rice Lake Elementary. Kim Brouillet has lived in Lino Lakes for 2 ½ years. She is a teacher and in real estate, construction, etc. Mary Jo O’Dea has been a board member since 2001. She is currently the board chair person. She is an attorney by trade. Barbara Bor is a lifetime resident of Lino Lakes and has a public health background. Alan Traylor has lived in Lino Lakes for 6 years. He is a marketing executive. Martha DeHaven – not present at this time. 1 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 20, 2006 There are no changes to the December 20, 2006 minutes. Ms. Brouillet made a motion to approve the December 20, 2006 meeting minutes without changes. Ms. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Move Item - Election of officers has been moved to the February agenda. Add Item - additional item to the 2007 Environmental Board Goals. Add Item - The SHEP presentation will take place at the February 28, 2007 Environmental Board meeting. Ms. Brouillet made a motion to approve the January 31, 2007 meeting minutes with changes. Ms. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6. OPEN MIKE Open Mike opened at 6:42 p.m. Open Mike closed at 6:42 p.m. 7. ACTION ITEMS A. PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT – COMFORTS OF HOME, CORE DEVELOPMENT Comforts of Home is a newly proposed development located in the NW quadrant of Hodgson Road and County Road J. Mr. Asleson presented his staff report. Mr. Asleson went over the tree plan. There are no rare or threatened species on the site. Trails and greenways are proposed. City native seed mix is to be used to restore the wetland area. This site will be conducive to infiltrate water. Mr. Asleson talked about infiltration areas, rain gardens and a storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPP). At this time, there have been 11 trees found and identified on site. The developer has not yet submitted the required tree preservation plan. The proposed trail alignment confers with the city trail system plan. The lighting plan submitted is in conformance with city standards. The 2 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 developer needs to show the location of any areas planned for sod. The location, type and quantity of rain gardens must be shown on the landscaping plan. Proposed pond areas not formally planted, should be planted with city mix. Invasive species should be eradicated with site development. Spill containments should be incorporated into the plan. Ms. O’Dea explained to the new members how the board either makes a motion on the action items presented to approve the project or deny. The Environmental Board will forward the project to the Planning & Zoning Board, who will forward it to the City Council. Mr. Grochala stated that the 13 modifications Mr. Asleson recommends are always applicable. Ms O’Dea asked, after the City’s Comprehensive Plan in amended, will this project come back before this board. Mr. Grochala stated that there will be major changes that will come back to this board. Significant changes are needed to what is being proposed by Core Development at this time. Ms. O’Dea explained to new members how the board needs to comment on the current proposed project, at this time. Ms. O’Dea questioned the gas station pad. Mr. Grochala stated that the current proposal is at a developmental stage. Ms. O’Dea questioned Recommendation 12 of Mr. Asleson’s Staff Report. Should it read: should be combined, not increased? Ms. O’Dea suggested it read increased or combined. Mr. Asleson stated it should say both increased or combined. Ms. O’Dea addressed the wetland issue based on this type of development. She asked about a buffer that is required between proposed residential and current homes. Mr. Grochala stated the buffer would need to be established. The developer will have to accommodate this provision and if that means the site needs to change dramatically that’s what the developer needs to do. Ms. Brouillet would like to recommend the maintenance agreements for rain gardens and storm water management for these types of developments, provide a sizeable common area. She asked if this issue could be put into an association agreement. Mr. Grochala responded that it is standard practice for homeowners to take care of common areas. Mr. Grochala stated that drainage and utility easements are what will be covered in the maintenance plan. 3 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 Ms. O’Dea stated the board would like to put in their standard wording as a recommendation to request roadway areas be kept to a minimum. Mr. Traylor questioned who would install the proposed trails. Mr. Grochala responded that the developer is required to put in paved trails. Mr. Traylor asked about volumes on retention water. Mr. Asleson responded that there are Rice Creek Watershed District requirements that have to be met. Mr. Grochala stated that Core Development is the master developer. Comforts of Home would be residential only. Core Development will bring in a partner for grocery, etc. Ms. Bor asked if it is an option for the board to table this item. Mr. Grochala responded that this is a preliminary approval and the board needs to act on the information as is. If this item is tabled, it may not come back to the board. State laws require the city to act on this application within 60 days. Mr. Grochala stated that approval or denial is not where the board should be at. That would be Planning & Zoning Board’s statutory role. The Environmental Board is making recommendations to Planning & Zoning Board to take into consideration. The Environmental Board should look at this site as it concerns the Environmental Board and how the site is suppose to be developed. Ms. Bor questioned what verbiage to use rather than approval or denial. She suggested using; forward the proposal with recommendations from the board. It was unanimous that the Environmental Board would like to say, forward with recommendation, not approval or denial. Ms. O’Dea asked if there were any residents here to speak on this issue. Brenda Olson from Woodridge Lane was present to speak. Ms. Olson noted the plan has no designated open space. She stated that the homes in the area have sump pump systems. All but two months of the year, the pumps are operating. She was concerned that if this development is at a higher elevation, water will be going right down to the present homes. She stated half of the homes sold recently in the area are on the 100 year flood plain. She is concerned that there is not a buffer between the proposed town homes and present single family homes. Ms. Bor asked Ms. Olson what she would like to see as a buffer. Ms. Olson stated she would like to see a buffer of green space and landscaping. Ms. Bor asked if this project were to occur, what would make it livable. Ms. Olson stated she does not feel a wall of town homes would be a buffer. 4 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 Mr. Asleson addressed the drainage issues of Ms. Olson. Rice Creek Watershed and the city engineers will go over this issue. The builder/developer cannot discharge any water off the site. Mike Witham from Woodridge Lane was also present to speak. Mr. Witham’s concerns were that of water run off and the buffer issue. He stated this past fall his backyard had standing water. Mr. Witham stated that for a buffer there is very little open space between the project and existing homes. Mr. Witham would like to see trails or greenery. Mr. Grochala stated that from a design process Rice Creek Watershed District will end up with a drainage plan to determine how much water is leaving this site and though what corridors. This information will come out and be brought forward. RECOMMENDATIONS: Along with Mr. Asleson’s staff recommendations the following recommendations are to be added or changed: • #1 of Mr. Asleson’s staff recommendation add: Establish a healthy wetland for filtration and natural visual design. • #2 of Mr. Asleson’s staff recommendation change to read: Site should be modified to include buffer and enhance greenway design • #12 of Mr. Asleson’s staff recommendation change to read: increased or combined… • Add #14 to read: Roadway areas kept to a minimum. Ms. Brouillet made a motion forward with recommendations. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. AMENDED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – HOLIDAY STATIONSTORES Mr. Grochala updated the board on this project. The city has been working to reconstruct the 35W Interchange. The Holiday Stationstores project is moving forward this spring. Part of the project will be to build a westerly extension to Town Center Parkway. As part of that process the City is working with Holiday on a short term and long term basis. At this time, there will be minor modifications to the store. Ultimately Holiday is preparing for a new facility on the site. It will be 3-4 years before construction of a new store begins. 5 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 Mr. Asleson presented his staff report. Holiday Stationstores, Inc. has requested to tear down and rebuild at its present location at 7509 Lake Drive. The land is 2.8 acres. The proposed new store includes a car wash and retail store, as well as additional parking spaces. Dave Edquist from Holiday Stationstores handed out and reviewed the lighting plan with board members. The canopy is of concern to most board members. Mr. Edquist explained that typically a store would have 36 flush mounted canopy lights. He is proposing a canopy which replaces the middle row of lights. The new focus light in recessed and 100 watts. The fixture hangs down from the canopy. Mr. Edquist stated that this is the same lighting as the store on Lexington and 35W. It was asked if the lighting meets the requirements and does not affect neighboring property. Mr. Grochala stated that if it exceeds the ordinance requirements there may need to be a reduction. Mr. Edquist talked about drop down lighting. Mr. Asleson asked what size bulb is used in the drop down lights. Mr. Edquist stated that it is a 100 watt metal halide. Mr. Asleson stated we would like to keep watts to a minimum. Mr. Edquist stated that the Holiday Stationstores have to follow safety requirements regarding lighting. Ms. O’Dea asked about the loss of trees on the site and if this will increase or decrease lighting to the neighbors. Mr. Edquist stated that overall it will be a decrease to what is there now. There will be a city street between housing and the store. Mr. Grochala stated that at this time there are no requirements in this district. This is a commercially zoned property. Mr. Edquist stated that there are two larger trees in the landscape plan. Mr. Asleson stated that he feels with the two larger trees the site will be darker than it is now. Mr. Traylor wondered if the area has to be lit 24 hours a day. He also asked if motion lighting is a possibility. Ms. Bor stated that it would be appreciated if an attempt to reduce lighting at the site would be made. Mr. Edquist went over their landscape plan and what it will include. Mr. Edquist stated that they will certainly do everything they can to do it right. Mr. Traylor asked if there is a standard to be followed on signage. It was stated that, the signage will have to meet city code requirements. Ms. Brouillet asked if new signage will be staying at the same height. Mr. Edquist replied that they would not go any higher. 6 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 Mr. Traylor asked is there will be storage tank removal. Mr. Edquist stated; the tanks will be taken out and put in a different location. It was recommended that the site be checked for contamination. It was stated that the MPCA has requirements that have to be met. RECOMMENDATIONS: Along with Mr. Asleson’s staff recommendations the following recommendations are to be added: • Remediation plan regarding underground storage tanks. • Add buffering to attempt to reduce light spill onto neighboring properties • Recommendation to add more landscaping Ms. O’Dea asked the board for a motion to forward, approve or deny. Ms. Bor made a motion to forward with recommendations. Mr. Traylor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. C. ADOPTION OF 2007 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD GOALS Add as bullet point 11: Participate in school nature project at Centennial Middle School. Bullet point # 5, change to read: perform past environmental board. Moved to submit summary….. to community development director. We would like to ensure that council will see also. Ms. Brouillet will forward report to Mr. Asleson. Next meeting. Monitor instead of any activity, say all. Say 35W corridor, not AUAR. Mr. Bor explained a summary to Mr. Traylor. First bullet change to local media, not the QUAD. Motion to approve 2007 goals by Ms. DeHaven second Ms. Brouillet. All in favor, motion carried unanimously. 2007 Goals will be presented to council February 26th. D. COMP PLAN UPDATE TASK FORCE 7 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 Mr. Grochala addressed the board on the upcoming Comp Plan Task Force and asked that three members from the Environmental Board volunteer to be on this task force. The City is in the process of updating the existing comp plan due in 2008. Part of the process is completing the 2030 Visioning Process, to be done by the City Council on February 12. The first meeting proposed is March 7. This will be an overview of the process. March 21 will be the first advisory meeting. We are looking at the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 for these meetings. He stated that this will be an exciting process and potentially be very interesting to this board. The three volunteers are: Barbara Bor, Alan Traylor and Kim Brouillet The first meeting on March 7 will be for members of all boards. Invitations have been sent in the mail regarding this. 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS Mr. Traylor requested Clearwater Creek be added to the board’s February agenda as a discussion item. EARTH DAY - Earth Day is scheduled for April 21. If board members are interested in helping, contact Mr. Asleson. RECYCLING DAY - Arbor day is April 27. Trish and the Tunes will be at Rice Lake Elementary for a very fun, but serious music and puppet show on recycling from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. There will be only one recycling day this year. It will be May 5. Volunteers from board would be helpful and welcomed. BLUE HERON UPDATE – There will be maintenance on Peltier Island scheduled for March 20. Ms. Bor indicated that the Herons typically arrive back on the island before March 17. NEW EAGLE’S NEST - Mr. Asleson showed the board a new eagle’s nest on George Watch Lake. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION – There will be an orientation for new board members. Ms. Hogstad will send out an email with tentative dates. 9. ADJOURN The next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on February 28, 2007. 8 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 31, 2007 There being no further business, Ms. Bor moved to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Ms. DeHaven seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary 9 DRAFT MINUTES