HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-17 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2012
Council Chambers, City Hall
1830 County Road BEast
1. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:03
p.m. by Chair Edmundson.
2. ROLL CALL
Randee Edmundson, Chair
Judith Johannessen, Vice Chair
Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner
Ann Palzer, Commissioner
Dale Trippler, Commissioner
Ginny Yingling, Commissioner
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Virginia Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff added 9.c. - Update on the Maplewood Fall Clean Up
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the Julv 16. 2012. Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meetinq minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Palzer.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Fish Creek Master Plan
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item.
ii. Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave the presentation and answered
questions of the commission regarding the Fish Creek Master Plan.
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Highlights of the Master Plan include:
Site Use and Activities: Natural area for wildlife and a place for people to experience
and enjoy nature.
Master Plan Process: Three public meetings in summer 2012, recommendations by
three commissions, final approval by City Council.
Parking: Parking lot on Henry Lane, parking lot near Point Douglas Road
Trails: Paved trail look, Fish Creek hiking trail, and additional rustic trail loop.
Overlooks and Benches: Three vista locations with benches. Additional benches
installed along the trail as needed.
Water and Bathroom Facilities: No running water or bathroom facilities planned.
Henry Lane parking lot should be constructed to allow for a porta-potty.
Signage: Entry sign with the name of the preserve, rules, and a map of the trail
system.
Target Vegetation: Transition the open grasslands to prairie and oak savanna and to
enhance the existing wooded areas by removing non-native trees and shrubs and
planting species that are native to oak woodland.
History and Archeology: Support Maplewood Area Historical Society and Heritage
Preservation Commission to document and better understand the history of this site.
Site Interpretation: An interpretive plan should be developed once the history of the
site is better documented.
Upcoming events regarding Fish Creek include:
September 22,2012 - The Gathering on Fish Creek Bluff
October 7, 2012 - Archeology Talk at the Ramsey County Library
October 20,2012 - Fish Creek Fall Color Tour
November 3, 2012 - Fish Creek Affair Fundraiser
To sign up for any of these events contact the Maplewood Nature Center 651-249-2170.
Ron Cockriel, 943 Century Avenue, Maplewood addressed the commission about the
proposed trail access along Fish Creek and how it would ensure people stay away from
the critical habitat and environmental areas of the Fish Creek area. However, Mr. Cockriel
did raise some concerns about the extent of the paved trail.
Commissioner Trippler moved to adopt the Fish Creek Master Plan.
Seconded by Commissioner Palzer.
Ayes - All
The motion passed.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. ShorelandlWetland Ordinance Amendments
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item and the commission
discussed the shoreland/wetland ordinance amendments.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission gave the following direction on
the proposed changes:
Move the regulations for wetlands adjacent lakes from the Wetland Ordinance to the
Shoreland Ordinance in a section called Special Overlay District.
Change the buffers for wetlands adjacent lakes to the match the buffer requirements
for freestanding wetlands.
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Build in flexibilities for property owners who live on lakes with wetland fringes to allow
for buffer encroachments without a variance as long as they meet certain stormwater
best management practices.
Staff will bring this back before the Commission on October 15th.
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None.
8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
Maplewood Mall Stormwater Open House - September 15: Commissioner Palzer reported on
the ribbon cutting, the paver system, the new trees, and the information provided regarding the
stormwater management at the Maplewood Mall. Commissioner Trippler, Chairperson
Edmundson and Commissioner Johannessen were involved in booths this day as well. It was
informational and educational for everyone for the community.
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Appointments
Dale Trippler and Randee Edmundson were reappointed until 9-30-2015. Bill Schreiner
resigned due to work and his position is vacant.
b. Maplewood Nature Center Programs
Staff reviewed the programs at the Maplewood Nature Center. For more information contact
the Nature Center at 651-249-2170 or visit their website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/nc.
c. Maplewood Fall Clean Up
October 13, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m. at Aldrich Arena on White Bear Avenue in the
parking lot. Check the city website for further information regarding items being collected and
the fees www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/recvclinq.
d. Carl Delivery
Allied Waste Services began delivering the trash carts September 10th and will continue
through September 28th. The commission thanked Ms. Finwall for her hard work on this
process and the professionalism put into this project for the residents of Maplewood.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
September 17, 2012
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