HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-18 ENR Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Monday, July 18, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval ofMinutes:June 20, 2016
5.New Business
a.GreenStep Cities – Step 4 Award
b.City of Maplewood Greenhouse Gas Assessment – Presentation by Ted
Redmond, Co-Founderof
6.Unfinished Business
a.Urban Agriculture - Zoning Review
7.Visitor Presentations
8.Commission Presentations
9.Staff Presentations
a.National Night Out – August 2
b.Solar Garden Subscription AgreementUpdate
c.Nature Center Programs
10.Adjourn
Agenda Item 4
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Monday,June 20,2016
Council Chambers, City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:00
p.m.by Chair Miller.
2. ROLL CALL
Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Absent
MaryHenderson, Commissioner Absent
Mollie Miller, Chair Present
Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present
Ryan Ries, Commissioner Present
Tom Sinn, Vice Chair Present
Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Sinnmoved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerYingling. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CommissionerPalzer moved to approve theMay 16,2016, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerRies. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a.Governmental Solar Subscriber Collaborative
i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an introduction on the Governmental
Solar Subscriber Collaborative and introduced Doug Wester to speak.
ii.Doug Wester, Geronimo Energy, 7650 Edinborough Way, Suite725, Edina,
addressed and answered questions of the commission.
iii.Matt Ledvina, Maplewood resident and Community Solar Garden subcommittee
member addressed the commissionin favor of this project.
June 20, 2016
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
Mr. Wester stated that the 25-year community solar garden subscription agreement would
generate enough solar power to offset 45% of the City’s electricity use.The cost analysis
reflects an accumulated savings of $344,088.85over the life of the 25-year contract.
The Commission discussed several aspects of the agreement including:
Renewable energy credits.
Community solar garden locationand timing.
Commissioner Sinn moved torecommend approval of the community solar garden
subscription agreement with Geronimo Energy through the Governmental Solar
Subscriber Collaborative.
Seconded by Commissioner Yingling.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
This item will go to the city council on June 27, 2016 and Chair Miller will represent the
ENR Commission at the meeting.
b.Valley Branch Watershed District Boundary Change
i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Valley Branch
Watershed District boundary change and answered questions of the commission.
CommissionerYinglingmoved torecommend approval of the resolution that supports the
petition from Valley Branch Watershed District to the Board of Water and Soil Resources,
requesting a boundary change for the transfer of territory between it and its adjacent
watershed management plan.
Seconded by CommissionerPalzer.Ayes –All
The motion passed.
c.ENR Commission Rules of Procedure Amendment –Meeting Start Times
i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall gave the report about amending the start
time of the ENR Commission meetingsfrom 7 p.m. to 6p.m.
The majority of the commission stated it would be a hardship for them to get to the
meetings by 6 p.m. with work hours, traffic,and childcare needsand would prefer to leave
the start time at 7 p.m.
6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a.Urban Agriculture –Zoning Review
i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall gave anupdateon the urban agriculture
zoning review and answered questions of the commission.
ii.SarahCade, 2616 BittersweetLane,addressed the commission about the chicken
permitting process.
The ENR Commission continued their discussion of animal agriculture, especially focusing
on changes proposed to the City’s chicken ordinance as follows:
Remove the 6-foot height requirement for chicken coops and chicken runs.
Change neighborhood consent from 100% to 75%.
June 20, 2016
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
Change permit renewals from one year after the initial permit is issued and every other
year thereafter.
Require chicken permit inspections during the initial permit process and first renewal,
with inspections on an as needed basis thereafter.
Change the number of chickens from a maximum of 10 to a maximum number based
onspace requirements.
7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
None.
9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a.Energize Maplewood!Update
Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said there were 12 teams with 97households that
participated in the Energize Maplewood!Residential Energy Challenge.The winning
teamwas the Finny Finsters. They have been awarded the $500 grand prize. The next
energy challenge will take place this fall for churches and will be called Energize Your
Congregation!Stay tuned for further information about this challenge.
b.Organics Tour at The Mulch Store in Rosemount –Tuesday, June 28
Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said aninvitation was sent out to the City Council,
Green Team and the ENR Commissionabout thetour ofThe Mulch Store onTuesday,
June 28. Organics collected at City facilities are brought to The Mulch Store for
processing into compost.
thth
c.Maplewood July 4Light It Up Event –Maplewood, July 4
th
The City of Maplewood is holding its annual July 4event called Light It Up at Hazelwood
Park from 4:00 –10:00 p.m. There will be kid activities, food, drinks,and fireworks at
dusk.
d.Trash/RecyclingSubcommittee Meeting –Tuesday, July 12 at 2 p.m.
Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said the trash/recycling subcommittee is meeting
on July 12at 2 p.m. to discuss the trash and recycling contracts, both expire December
31, 2017.
e.Ramsey County Fair and Parade –Wednesday through Sunday, July 13-17
Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall saidthe Ramsey County Parade is Wednesday
July 13 on White Bear Avenue. The Ramsey County Fair will run Wednesday through
Sunday.
f.Nature Center Programs
Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs.
For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-2170.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Chair Miller adjourned the meeting at8:46p.m.
June 20, 2016
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
Agenda Item 5.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE: July 13, 2016, for the July18ENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:GreenStep Cities – Step 4 Award
Maplewood was one of seven cities in the state that was awarded the GreenStep Cities Step 4
award during the League of Minnesota Cities conference on June 15 in St. Paul. Step 4 is the
highest achievement a City can receive in the programat this time.
Recognition in the form of “Steps” is given to cities as they complete sustainability best practices
outlined in the program. The actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings
and energyuse reduction, and encourage civic innovation.Once a City achieves the highest
level of sustainability best practices outlined in Steps 1 through 3, Step 4 challenges cities to
measure and report, with numbers, the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple actions.
The GreenStep Cities program coordinators are now designing the final recognition in the
program – Step 5 – which will challenge cities to show improvement in the Step 4 metrics.
More information can be found on the City’s GreenStep Cities webpage at
www.maplewoodmn.gov/1003/GreenStep-Cities.
Agenda Item 5.b.
MEMORANDUM
TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE:July 13, 2016, for the July18ENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:City of Maplewood Greenhouse Gas Assessment
Introduction
Greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments offer a valuable way to compare theeffectiveness of
multiple energy and sustainability best practice actionsover time.GHG assessments support
planning for sustainability by defining a baseline, tracking a trajectory, and measuring outcomes
of sustainable strategies. They can also track progress toward meeting the State’s goals
regarding energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction, and can be used for cities to set
their own targets and track progress towards energy or climate goals.
Background
Our current energy systems are fossil-fuel based, with nearly all products and services
responsible for GHG emissions. A carbon footprint results from the emissions of fossil fuels
burned either directly, or indirectly, in delivering that product or service. The greenhouse gas
effect directly impacts Earth’s atmospheric energy and temperature, contributing to climate
change impacts.
TheState of Minnesotais responding to climate change and is focused on reducing the State’s
GHG emissions. The State’s Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 sets a targetfor GHG
emission reductions of 30%below 2005 levels by 2025 and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050.
Through the comprehensive planning process the City of Maplewood should set realistic goals
for reducing GHG emissionscity-wide and in city operations. Having a baseline GHG
assessment is the first step in the City’s GHG reduction planning process.
Discussion
The GreenStep Cities – Step 4 metrics require that a City measure its city-wide and city-
operationGHG.In 2016 Ted Redmond, co-founder of Pale Blue Dot, LLC,andaresident of
Maplewood, donated his services to the City to completea GHG baseline assessment
(Attachment 1).
The city-wide data was established for the year 2013 through the Regional Indicators Initiative
(http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/) and include energy use, travel and transportation, water
use, solid waste, and wastewater. It does not include indirect emissions associated with food
and product purchases, or with services provided residents and businesses outside of City
boundaries. City-wide 2013 GHG emissions totaled487,020 Metric Tonnes of COequivalent
2
(impact of all greenhouse gases), 55% of which is produced by residential and commercial
energy use. This represents a per capita emission of 12.12 Metric Tonnes.
The city-operationbaseline data was collected for the year 2015 and calculated for the first time.
City operation emissions include city buildings and grounds, streetlights and signals, city
vehicles, employee travel and transportation, water and wastewater, and solid waste. City-
operation 2015 GHG emissions totaled 5,267.41 Metric Tonnes, which is 1.08% of city-wide
GHG emissions. It represents an emission rate of 31.92 Metric Tonnes per employee, 43.37
pounds of COequivalent per city facility per year.
2
Recommendation
Ted Redmond, co-founder of the Pale Blue Dot, LLC, will be present during the July 18, 2016,
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting to present the findings of the city-
wide and city-operation GHG assessment. TheCommission should offer comment and
feedback on the assessment.
Attachment
1.City of Maplewood Greenhouse Gas Baseline InventoryDocument
2
Attachment 1
June 2016
Greenhouse Gas
Baseline Inventory
Report Index
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
Introduction 1
o Background
o The Carbon Cycle and the Role of Greenhouse Gases
o Man-Made Greenhouse Contributions
o Minnesota Climate Change Impacts
o Why Measure?
o Methodology, Terminology, and Sources
o Normalization for Weather
o Graphic Representations
Executive Summary 3
o Summary of Inventory Results
o Community Comparisons
o Opportunities for Reduction
o Potential Next Steps for City of Maplewood
Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory 4
o Community Wide Energy Use
o Community Wide Travel and Transportation
o Community Wide Water Use
o Community Wide Solid Waste
o Community Wide Waste Water
o Community Wide Total
Appendix
City Operations Greenhouse Gas Inventory 11
o City Operations Buildings and Grounds Detail
o City Operations Buildings and Grounds
o City Operations Streetlights and Signals Detail
o City Operations Streetlights and Signals
o City Operations Vehicles Detail
o City Operations Vehicles
o City Operations Travel and Transportation Detail
o City Operations Travel and Transportation
o City Operations Water and Wastewater Detail
o City Operations Water and Wastewater Utilities
o City Operations Solid Waste Detail
o City Operations Solid Waste
o Total City Operations GHG Inventory
Introduction
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
According to the US EPA:
From Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Management of Selected
Background
Materials in Municipal Solid Waste 1998
In January 2016 the City of Maplewood engaged Pale Blue Dot LLC to prepare a
Since the preindustrial era, atmospheric concentrations of CO2 have
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) baseline inventory for City-Wide emissions as well as for City
increased by nearly 30 percent and CH4 concentrations have more than
Operations. City-Wide GHG emissions included in this report were to be those already
doubled. There is a growing international scientific consensus that this
established for the year 2013 through the Regional Indicators Initiative while City
increase has been caused, at least in part, by human activity, primarily
Operations baseline data was to be collected and calculated for the first time in this
the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for such activities as
report.
generating electricity and driving cars.
The City of Maplewood is committed to improved sustainability. The City strives to
In international scientific circles a consensus is growing that the buildup of
improve upon the natural and built environment by using best practices for sustainability.
CO2 and other GHGs in the atmosphere will lead to major environmental
On June 23, 2008, the City Council adopted the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
changes such as (1) rising sea levels that may flood coastal and river
Agreement. The agreement commits the City to reducing emissions and pollution in City
delta communities; (2) shrinking mountain glaciers and reduced snow
operations and the community. The Council authorized staff to form a working group to
cover that may diminish fresh water resources; (3) the spread of infectious
review and make recommendations on how the City can realistically and feasibly
diseases and increased heat-related mortality; (4) possible loss in
reduce emissions and pollution now and in the future. The work group formed is known
biological diversity and other impacts on ecosystems; and (5) agricultural
as the Green Team and is an example of the Citys leadership by example.shifts such as impacts on crop yields and productivity.
In December 2010, the City began engagement in the Minnesota Greenstep Cities
Many uncertainties remain regarding the precise timing, magnitude, and
Program sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Greenstep Cities is a
regional patterns of climate change and the extent to which mankind and
challenge, assistance, and recognition program supporting cities in achieving
nature can adapt to any changes. It is clear, however, that changes will
sustainability and quality-of-life goals.
not be easily reversed for many decades or even centuries because of
This Greenhouse Gas Baseline Inventory report is designed both to meet the
the long atmospheric lifetimes of GHGs and the inertia of the climate
requirements for the Greenstep Cities program, but also to provide a framework for on-
system
going dialogue in support of the Citys commitment to the US Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement
Minnesota Climate Change Impacts
The Carbon Cycle and the Role of Greenhouse Gases
Minnesotas climate has already begun to change. Average temperatures in Minnesota
The Carbon Cycle is exchanged among the oceans, atmosphere, and ecosystem. This
are 1.5 to 2 degrees warmer than they were in the 1980s and seven of the States ten
cycle has been a closed, balanced system for hundreds of thousands of years. This
warmest years on record have occurred in the last 15 years. Annual frequency of large
cycle is present in the atmosphere primarily as carbon dioxide and methane. These two
storms in Minnesota have more than doubled in the last 50 years, with a 70% increase
primary greenhouse gases uniquely allow light to pass while capturing infrared energy.
occurring in just the last decade. Minnesota has seen three 1,000 year flash floods in
This Greenhouse Effect directly impacts Earths atmospheric energy and temperatures
only 12 years and scientists anticipate occurrence of extreme weather to continue to
without the historic levels of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere, the average
increase in frequency.
surface temperature of the Earth would be 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Climate change has already begun to impact the Minnesota economy. In 2013, the
Man-Made Greenhouse Contributions
State logged some of the highest severe weather-related claims in the country, and since
As our current energy systems are fossil fuel based, nearly all products and services are
1997, 32 severe weather natural disasters cost Minnesota over $500,000,000. In addition,
responsible for GHG emissions. This Carbon Footprint results from the emissions of fossil
University of Minnesota economists have calculated the health and environmental costs
fuels burned either directly, or indirectly in delivering that product or service.
of our fossil-fuel based electrical production at over $2,000,000,000 annually.
Burning fossil fuels release hydrocarbons which have been outside the natural carbon
The State of Minnesota is responding to climate change and is focused on reducing the
cycle for millions of years. These emissions have increased atmospheric greenhouse
States carbon emissions. The States 2007 Next Generation Energy Act established
gases by 40%, changing the chemistry and raising the total atmospheric energy and
climate mitigation goals which included a reduction of statewide greenhouse gas
contributing to climate change. According to the EPA, man-made carbon emissions
emissions to at least 15% below 2005 levels by 2015, 30% below 2005 levels by 2025, and
are likely to remain in our atmosphere for hundreds of years. Though unintended, our
80% below 2005 levels by 2050. Though the State has missed its first goal, progress has
individual actions and business operations are contributing to climate change impacts.
been made and Statewide emissions were reduced between 2007 and 2010 a total of 3%.
(https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases.html ).
1
Introduction
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
Why Measure?
As the management consultant and author Peter Drucker noted, What gets measured
gets managed. Measurement provides data both to understand where opportunities for
improvement exist as well as to understand and reward success. Measurement of GHG
emissions is the essential first step to successfully meet reduction goals. Establishing a
baseline emissions understanding and updating the data annually is a critical component
of meeting the emission reduction goals established by the City of Maplewoods adoption
Normalization For Weather
of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as well as the Statewide reduction
The energy consumption associated with our buildings is very closely related to weather.
targets. By undertaking this initiative to track emissions, the City of Maplewood is yet
Colder winters demand more energy consumption to heat our buildings while hotter
again illustrating its leadership in sustainability.
summers require higher use of air conditioning to maintain temperatures. To facilitate
annual comparisons, building energy consumption and GHG emissions should be
understood not just in actual levels, but also normalized for weather conditions. This
enables a review of year over year GHG performance while filtering out factors which are
beyond the Citys control.
Weather Normalization is achieved by calculating a normalization factor comparing a
given years total Heating Degree Days (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD) against a
30 year average. These normalization factors are then applied to the portion of electrical
I have been struck again and again by how important
energy typically attributed to cooling and the portion of gas energy typically used for
building heat. It is assumed that 25% of all electricity consumption is for air conditioning
measurement is to improving the human condition.
and for electrical normalization calculations is adjusted by the CDD factor. The remaining
75% of electrical use is unaffected. Similarly, 80% of gas usage in Minnesota is assumed to
Bill Gates
be for building heating and is adjusted by the HDD factor while the remaining 20% is
unaffected in Normalized calculations.
Graphic Representations
Methodology, Sources, and Terminology
Much of the emissions data reported in this Baseline Inventory report are also graphically
This Greenhouse Gas Baseline Inventory is assembled based on the Greenhouse Gas
represented in terms of volume of atmosphere. These representations are a unique
Protocol for businesses and communities established by GHG Protocol
hallmark of the Pale Blue Dots work and they are included in order to help facilitate an
(www.ghgprotocol.org/) and is consistent with the protocol established by ICLEI Local
increased awareness of the order of magnitude our collective emissions represent.
Governments for Sustainability.
Volumetric calculations used in these graphics are based on the average atmospheric
volume occupied by carbon dioxide as calculated by the International Carbon Bank and
The community-wide emissions data referred to in this document are all from City of
Exchange.
Maplewoods reporting engagement in the Regional Indicators Initiative. The City
Operations emissions data are based on raw metrics collected by City of Maplewood
staff with emissions calculations based on emission factors and Global Warming Potential
(GWP) factors established by various sources such as the United States Environmental
Protection Agency. All calculations in this document transparently show the emission
factors being used as well as source references.
Every 1 ounce CO2e
The terminology used in this report is consistent with international Carbon Footprinting
is equal to over 960
protocols. Unless noted otherwise, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions shown in this
cubic inches of
report are in CO2e: Carbon Dioxide Equivalent. CO2e is a standard for expressing the
Atmospheric
impact of all greenhouse gas including those from pollutants such as methane and nitrous
Greenhouse gas.
oxide in terms of the equivalent amount of CO2 that would have the same impact. GHG
emissions are represented in Metric Tonnes (2,204.62 pounds) to be consistent with
international standard reporting.
2
Executive Summary
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
Total City Emissions
487,020
Summary of Inventory Results
Metric Tonnes
This report summarizes the Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory for the City of Maplewood
community wide as well as City Operations. Community wide emissions are based on
9,555,876,885
emission data reported to Regional Indicators Initiative. Calculations for the City of
Cubic Feet of
Maplewood Operations emissions are based on data collected for this report and can be
Man-Made
found in the appendix section.
Atmosphere
Community wide emissions total 487,020 Metric Tonnes (1,073,694,032 pounds) CO2e, 55%
of which is produced by residential and commercial energy use. The City operates a total
of 8 facilities tracked on B3 Benchmarking, numerous city vehicles, lift/pump stations,
street lights, and street signals. Each of these components of the Citys operational
infrastructure consume grid-based electricity, natural gas, gasoline, or diesel fuel. For the
baseline 2015 year, the City of Maplewood municipal operations totaled 5,267.41 Metric
Tonnes (11,612,584 pounds) CO2e.
Forest acres needed to sequesterTotal land within City:Emissions reduction required
Maplewood Community Wide97,420 Acresfor community to sequester its
Greenhouse gas Emissions:own emissions:
Maplewood Tree
Acres
Cover: 35%(est)
Community Comparisons
The results of community GHG inventories vary somewhat due to the information
Volume Visualization
collected, as well as the range of services provided by city entities directly, services
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of man-made GHG
contracted out on behalf of the subject city, or services which are provided by entirely
atmosphere produced annually by the City of Maplewood emissions totals. - seen here
separate governmental agencies or privatized. Consequently, a direct city-to-city
from the St Paul High Bridge 6.25 miles away. The volume of atmosphere is equal to a
comparison should not be viewed as a comprehensive comparison of Greenhouse Gas
cube feet on each face.
emission efficiencies. We believe, however, that as an emerging practice, municipalities
2,122
should look towards building and sharing data in order to develop a stronger
Potential Next Steps for the City of Maplewood
understanding of where each municipality can advance efficiencies and meet
We recommend the City implement the following:
Greenhouse Gas reduction goals. The following is a brief comparison of City Operations
Emissions between a few Twin City Metro communities:
1) Engage a consultant to work with City to develop a GHG Reduction goal and action plan.
2) Maintain and update Community Wide and City Operations GHG inventory annually to track progress
City Operations Metric Tonnes
against energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Maplewood:5,267 Total 32 /staff 48/Facility sf
3) Engage a consultant for a detailed Facility Assessment, Energy Audit, and energy efficiency action
Elk River:5,922 Total 49 /staff 43/Facility SF
plan for the City Hall/Police, Fire Station 7, and Community Center facilities.
Edina:24,939 Total 50 /staff
4) Explore the feasibility of installation of additional renewable energy generation on one or more City
Bloomington:17,974 Total 58 /staff
facility
Falcon Heights:397 Total 24 /staff
5) Explore potential of developing an Alternative Energy TIF district for redevelopment of target sites
within the City.
Opportunities for Reduction
6) Engage a consultant to develop a detailed sidewalk, bike lane, bike trail, tree and pollinator corridor
The sections in this report summarizing each GHG inventory category include
and connectivity study.
identification of potential opportunities for reduction. Though not comprehensive, these
7)Implement Public Transit Commuter Campaign building awareness among City staff by
strategies represent municipal best practices which the City may benefit from continuing,
communicating public transit routes, establish carpool groups, and communicate reimbursement
expanding, or implementing. We have selected a few we believe the City may benefit
potentials available under December 2015 US Consolidated Appropriations Act (HR 2029)
from the most and have included them in Potential Next Steps for The City of Maplewood.
3
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
270,111
Metric Tonnes
Energy Use
5,299,879,805
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
How does Community Wide Energy Use contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?55.46%
Cubic Feet of
Nationally, 12% of US GHG emissions originate from businesses and residents arising
Community Total
Atmosphere
primarily from fossil fuels burned for heating and cooking. Another 30% of national GHG
emissions are generated through the burning of fossil fuels for the production of
electricity.
The burning of fossil fuels results in a range of pollution byproducts including Greenhouse
Gases. When burned, per British Thermal Unit (Btu) of energy produced, fossil fuels emit
between 117 pounds of CO2 for Natural Gas to 229 pounds CO2 for Coal.
The amount of GHG emissions associated with electricity use varies from region to region
based on the mix of fuel used in each regional electrical grid. According to Xcel Energy
public data, the emission factor for their electrical service within Minnesota is 1.04
pounds CO2 per Kwh.
Volume Visualization
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of man-made GHG
atmosphere produced annually by community wide building energy use - seen here
from White Bear Lake and I-694 2.25 miles away. The volume of atmosphere is equal to
a cube feet on each face.
1,744
Summary of findings*
Total actual annual energy consumption throughout the City of Maplewood was
3,218,415 MMBtu with 48% attributed to residential consumers and 52% commercial and
industrial uses. Baseline GHG emissions associated with this community-wide energy
Opportunities for reduction
consumption totals 270,111 Metric Tonnes (595,492,113 pounds) CO2 with 57% related to
electricity consumption and 43% generated from natural gas usage.
Alternative Energy TIF:Explore potential of developing an Alternative Energy TIF district
for redevelopment of target sites within City, similar to the program established by the
On a per capita basis, energy consumption in Maplewood totals 50 MMBtu per
City of Chicago.
resident, 65% of the State average of 77 MMBtu. Maplewood commercial and
industrial energy consumption averaged 57 MMBtu per job compared to the State of
Community Solar: Conduct a study to determine potential neighborhoods/areas well
Minnesota average of 66 MMBTU
suited for community solar. Support the development of Minnesota community solar
submissions within City of Maplewood.
When normalized for weather, total annual energy consumption throughout the City of
Maplewood is adjusted downward 6.4% to an adjusted total of 3,012,575 MMBtu and a
Sustainable Business Park: Explore the creation of a net zero business park focused on
corresponding Weather Normalized Baseline GHG of 254,911 Metric Tonnes.
green product development, business incubation, and green job training for City of
Maplewood residents. Sustainable Business Park can function as a regional
*As reported for 2013 in Regional Indicators Initiative (http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/)
demonstration project for energy reduction strategies. Target sites may include existing
Sources: US Department of Energy (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/residential.cfm/state=MN),
under performing big box retail spaces or warehouse buildings.
US NOAA (http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/cdus/degree_days/)
4
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
204,212
Metric Tonnes
Travel and
4,006,867,749
How does Community Wide Travel and Transportation contribute to Greenhouse 41.93%
Cubic Feet of
Transportation
Gas Emissions?
Community Total
Atmosphere
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
Transportation sector GHG emissions in the United States for 2013 totaled
1,789,860,000 metric tonnes. Nationally, 26% of GHG emissions originate in the
transportation sector.
Fossil Fuels used in transportation produce GHG when burned, primarily CO2. In
fact, the weight of CO2 produced actually exceeds the weight of the fuel
burned. The amount of GHG produced by common transportation fuels ranges
from 19.4 pounds per gallon for gasoline to 21.5 pounds for jet fuel and 22.5
pounds for diesel.
According to the US EPA:
How can GHG
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is
emissions weigh more
produced from burning a fuel weighs more
than the fuel we burn
than the amount of the fuel itself, because
during complete combustion, each carbon
atom in the fuel combines with two oxygen
atoms in the air to make CO2. The addition
Volume Visualization
of two oxygen atoms to each carbon atom
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of man-made GHG
forms CO2, which has an atomic weight of
?
atmosphere produced annually by community transportation and travel - seen here
44roughly 3.6667 times the atomic weight
from White Bear Lake and highway 36. The volume of atmosphere would cover all 268
of the carbon, which is 12.
lane-miles of streets within the City to a depth of over feet.
258
Summary of findings*
Opportunities for reduction
Community wide, baseline Vehicle Miles Total (VMT) for the City of Maplewood
Alternative Transportation Planning:Engage a consultant to develop a detailed
total 346,248,490 miles on all roads including Interstate, State, County, and
sidewalk, bike lane, bike trail, tree and pollinator corridor and connectivity study. Study
Municipal roads. Currently, there is no tracking methodology for air travel
should focus on defining strong existing routes connecting residents with employment,
associated by a community. Consistent with ICLEI protocol, the community
commercial, and recreational zones as well as identify connectivity gaps or under
wide share of airport emissions, are assumed to be equal to the communitys
leveraged opportunities.
share of metro-wide homebased vehicle trips. The City of Maplewoods share
Nice Ride: Engage Nice Ride Minnesota to develop bike rental locations at strategic
of homebased vehicle trips, and airport travel, are equal to 1.2% of metro total.
locations connecting bike trails, commercial corridors, residential sectors, and transit
lines.
Primary community-wide transportation emissions for the City of Maplewood
come from road vehicles and City share of regional air traffic. Road vehicle
Promotion: Explore additional ways to define and promote existing alternative
emissions account for 81.8% of this total (167,056 Metric Tonnes) while the
transportation paths and methods to city businesses and residents. Strategies may
communitys share of regional air travel represents 18.2% (37,156 Metric Tonnes).
include printed bike/walkway/bus line maps and interactive website.
The total community wide annual Baseline Transportation emissions total 204,212
Metric Tonnes, or 5.24 metric tonnes per capita, 7.4% less than the national
average.
*As reported for 2013 in Regional Indicators Initiative (http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/)
5
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
1,285
Metric Tonnes
Water Use
25,213,137
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
How does Community Wide Water Use contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?0.26%
Cubic Feet of
Water and energy use are inextricably linked in modern cities. Energy is required
Community Total
Atmosphere
to extract, treat, and distribute water to residences and businesses. Nationally,
the United States consumes over 355 billion gallons of water daily, requiring an
estimated 500 billion kwh annually to distribute to users. Globally, water
treatment and distribution is estimated to contribute 2-3% of total greenhouse
gas emissions annually.
Emissions associated with water use
within City of Maplewood equal:
Cubic Inches of man-
made atmosphere for
every gallon of water
pumped.
25
(Figure to scale)
Volume Visualization
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of water consumed (blue
mass) and the associated man-made GHG atmosphere produced annually (purple
mass) - seen here at Keller Lake near Highway 36.
Summary of findings*
Ramsey County uses nearly 22 billion gallons of water annually, averaging 118
Opportunities for reduction
gallons of water used per person per day. Meanwhile, the total water
Fixture Efficiency: Explore partnering with water utility to create a toilet
consumption for the City of Maplewood baseline year 2013 accounted for 8.4%
replacement program supporting discounts for replacing high water use toilets
of Ramsey Countys water use roughly the equivalent of 2,900 Olympic sized
with high efficiency EPA qualified fixtures.
swimming pools. Maplewoods city-wide water use of 1,851,581,174 gallons
represents an average water consumption of 130 gallons per person per day, or
Public Awareness: Develop water conservation public awareness campaign
approximately 110% of the Countys average.
Encourage installation of rainwater collection for out-door water use.
Most of the water consumed in the City of Maplewood is provided by Saint Paul
Regional Water Services. For the 2013 baseline year, the Saint Paul Regional
Water Services used 20,434,560 KWH to pump 15.5856 billion gallons to their
customers, resulting in an average greenhouse gas emission of 0.025 ounces
CO2e per gallon of water consumed. Consequently, the total community wide
annual baseline water consumption related emissions total 2,832,919 pounds
(1,285 Metric Tonnes) CO2e, or 72.7 pounds per Maplewood resident annually.
*As reported for 2013 in Regional Indicators Initiative (http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/)
Sources: Saint Paul Regional Water Services energy and total production volume data.
6
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
8,654
Metric Tonnes
Solid Waste
169,801,155
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
How does Community Wide Solid Waste contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?1.78%
Cubic Feet of
According to US EPA studies, traditional waste management contributes 1-5% of
Community Total
Atmosphere
our collective GHG emissions in the United States. The processing and treatment
of waste can produce emissions of several of the greenhouse gases. Even
recycling of waste produces some greenhouse gas emissions, however, these are
usually offset by the reduction in fossil fuel use that would be required to create a
similar amount of product from raw resources.
The most prevalent greenhouse gas produced through municipal solid waste is
the methane released during the breakdown of organic matter in landfills.
Pound for pound, the cumulative climate change effect of methane is 25 times
more potent than that of carbon dioxide.
The U.S. has 3,091 active landfills and the EPA estimates there are over 10,000 old
municipal landfills no longer receiving material. The average American produces
3.5 pounds of trash daily. With a total population of nearly 320 million people, the
United States produces approximately 19 billion cubic feet of trash annually.
Volume Visualization
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of municipal solid waste
generated and the associated man-made GHG atmosphere produced annually
(yellow mass) - seen here at Keller Lake near Highway 36. The emissions would fill a
volume of atmosphere equal to a cube feet per face
Summary of findings*
554
Community wide, the City of Maplewood produces an estimated 45,188 tons of
Opportunities for reduction
municipal solid waste (MSW) annually. Approximately 51% of this total waste, an
Explore development or support of training programs for hybrid deconstruction
average of nearly 54 pounds per residence every month, is diverted through
techniques as an alternative to traditional demolition of residential and small
recycling and re-enters the supply chain. In addition, another 32% is sent to the
commercial structures
Ramsey County RDF (refuse derived fuel) facility and is incinerated for energy.
The remaining 17% is deposited in landfills. It should be noted that this diversion
Explore development of a Pay-as-you-throw waste system with City trash haulers in
of MSW from landfills is a significant improvement over the national average of
which businesses and residents pay waste disposal charges based on quantities rather
than flat rates.
53% MSW deposited in landfills.
Explore development of food waste collection and composting with city
2015 baseline GHG emissions associated with the community wide City of
restaurants and residents.
Maplewood waste totals 8,654 metric tonnes CO2e (19,078,782 pounds).
Approximately 62% of those total GHG emissions are associated with the
combustion of waste products at the RDF facility while the remaining 38% are
associated with emissions not yet captured at landfill sites.
*As reported for 2013 in Regional Indicators Initiative (http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/)
Sources: County Certification Annual Reports and MPCA annual SCORE reports: (https://www.pca.state.mn.us/quick-
links/recycling-and-solid-waste-data)
7
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
2,759
Metric Tonnes
Waste Water
How does Community Wide Waste Water contribute to GHG Emissions?
54,134,664
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
0.57%
Cubic Feet of
Community Total
As with water processing and distribution, Wastewater collection and treatment
Atmosphere
requires energy inputs. With our current energy grid, those energy inputs are
significantly fossil fuel based.
In addition to emissions associated with fossil fuel use, wastewater treatment
produces significant Biogenic emissions associated with the microbial
processing of the waste solids. The primary gas emitted during biological
nitrogen removal is Nitrous Oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas with a potency
roughly 300 times that of CO2. With such potency and an observed increase of
atmospheric N2O of over 17%, ongoing studies by the US EPA and
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continue to refine
understanding of the origins, impacts, and reduction strategies for wastewater
N2O emissions.
For the purposes of GHG calculations for community carbon footprint reporting,
these Biogenic emissions are considered to be a part of the biological carbon
cycle and are not currently included in the GHG totals. Protocols may change in
Volume Visualization
the future to include wastewater Biogenic N2O emissions.
The City of Maplewood produces 1,350,600,000 gallons of wastewater annually. This
volume of waste water is enough to fill Keller Lake over
8x
Summary of findings*
Wastewater for the City of Maplewood is collected and treated by the
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services division (MCES). MCES provides
wastewater collection and treatment service for almost 2.7 million residents
In 108 communities in the Twin Cities region. MCES treats an average of 250
million gallons of water daily, and for the 2013 baseline year treated a total of
88.4 billion gallons of wastewater.
Wastewater attributable to the City of Maplewood for the baseline year 2013
totaled 1,350,600,000 gallons, an average of 95 gallons per person per day.
MCES fossil fuel emissions associated with City of Maplewood wastewater
totaled 2,759 metric tonnes (6,082,546 pounds) CO2e.
In addition to fossil fuel emissions, Biogenic emissions associated with City of
Maplewood wastewater treatment for the same year totaled 2,575 metric
tonnes. These Biogenic emissions, however, are not currently included in the
community wide GHG totals as per protocol standard.
*As reported for 2013 in Regional Indicators Initiative (http://www.regionalindicatorsmn.com/)
Sources: Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, Linda Henning, Special Projects Manager. Emissions data is
consistent with that reported to The Climate Registry. The plant emissions attributable to the City are based on the
percentage of wastewater treated at the plant that is attributable to the City
8
Community Wide
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
Travel and Transportation
Water Use
Total
Solid Waste
Total Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Waste Water
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
Energy Use
GHG emissions for the 2013 baseline year total 487,021 metric tonnes
9,555,896,509
487,021
Cubic Feet of
(1,073,694,032 pounds) CO2e. This represents a per capita emission of 12.12
Metric Tonnes
Atmosphere
metric tonnes.*
Energy Use 270,111 Metric Tonnes(55.46%)
Travel and Transportation 204,212 Metric Tonnes(41.93%)
Water Use 1,285 Metric Tonnes(0.26%)
Solid Waste 8,654 Metric Tonnes(1.78%)
Wastewater 2,759 Metric Tonnes(0.57%)
Total: 487,021 Metric Tonnes
Summary of findings*
The total GHG emissions captured by the Regional Indicators Initiative program
do not do not include indirect emissions associated with food and product
purchases, or with services provided residents and businesses outside of City
boundaries. For the average American, these additional GHG emissions total
7.2 metric tonnes. If these indirect emissions were included, the likely total
community wide GHG emissions would total 767,460 metric tonnes, or 19.7
Volume Visualization
metric tonnes per capita.
The graphic above represents the community wide volume of man-made GHG
atmosphere produced annually by the City of Maplewood emissions totals. - seen here
For more information on the breakdown of the average American residents
from McKnight and Minnesota 36 1.5 miles away. The volume of atmosphere is equal to
GHG emissions, you can view the article and infographic by paleBLUEdot LLC
a cube feet on each face.
available athttp://www.bluedotregister.org/carbon-copy/2015/2/28/the-
2,122
atmosphere-we-create-the-typical-american-carbon-footprint.
9
Opportunities for Reduction
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
The City of Maplewood has already engaged in a number of efforts aimed at reducing
the energy consumption of existing City owned facilities. The Citys newest facility
constructed, the South Fire Station, was designed with a specific intent to improve energy
nd
efficiency, and with EUI performance in the 72 percentile that facility is a successful step
How do City Operated Buildings and Grounds contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
forward.
According to the US Department of Energy, use for buildings accounts for 41% of the total US
energy consumption nationally. Building heating and cooling, lighting, and electronic
Based on the energy reporting of all city facilities, however, there are opportunities both
equipment use makes up nearly 70% of all commercial building energy use. In the two
for energy efficiency improvement and operational cost savings. A focus on reducing the
decades between 1980 and 2009, the total energy consumed by our buildings increased 49%.
total energy consumption of the Citys three largest facilities (City Hall, Public Works, and
the Community Center) could significantly increase City Operation energy efficiency.
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with that building energy use comes from direct
According to B3 Benchmarking, improving the energy performance of these three
emissions of fossil fuels burned on site (natural gas, fuel oil, etc), as well as indirectly from fossil
facilities to an EUI performance meeting national medians for facility type could decrease
fuels burned to create electricity off-site. The greenhouse gas emissions factor associated with
annual operating costs up to $150,000.
on-site fuel use is directly related to the carbon content of the fuels burned (see Community
Wide Energy Use for fuel factors). The emissions factor associated with electricity use varies
Recommendations:
based on the raw fuel sources used by the electrical utilities suppling the local electrical grid
· Assess all existing buildings for compliance with the Citys Green Building Code.
utility providers who source more of their power through renewable energy sources, have
commensurately lower GHG emission factors.
· Engage a consultant team to conduct a detailed Facility Assessment and Energy Audit and
develop an energy efficiency action plan for the City Hall, Public Works, and Community
Center facilities.
City Operations
Buildings and Grounds
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
66.51%
63,738,624
3,503.30
Cubic Feet of
City Operations
Metric Tonnes
Man-Made
Total
Atmosphere
Summary of Findings*
For the City Operations Baseline year of 2015, the eight City of Maplewood buildings reporting
to B3 Benchmarking consumed a total of 3,445,336 kwh of electricity and 202,114 therms of
natural gas. This relates to an average Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 134.25 kBTUs per square
foot of building space. According to the States B3 Benchmarking system, on a building by
City Hall
thnd
Emission
building basis this EUI performance ranges from 5 percentile performance (City Hall) to 72
Community
Volume
percentile performance (South Fire Station). When compared against the EPAs Energy Star EUI
Center
reference index, the City of Maplewoods total facility EUI is 171% of the median EUI of 78.8.Emission
Volume
The GHG emission associated with City of Maplewood buildings and grounds energy use for the
Public Works
Baseline year of 2015 totaled 3,503.3 Metric Tonnes (7,723,445 pounds) CO2e. Total GHG
Emission Volume
emissions equal 32.17 pounds CO2e per facility square foot per year. Emissions associated with
electricity use were 60.4% while natural gas use emissions equaled 39.6% of the total GHG
emissions.
When Normalized for Weather, total annual energy consumption for City of Maplewood
buildings and grounds is adjusted downward 2% for electricity and upward 10% for natural gas.
Volume Visualization
The resulting Weather Normalized annual Building and Grounds GHG increases 1.8% to a total
The graphic above illustrates the annual emissions associated with building operations
of 3,566.7 Metric Tonnes.
for City owned facilities. These emissions represent an average volume of man-made
10
* Sources: energy consumption as reported on B3 Benchmarking, emission factors based on US EPA and Excel Energy,atmosphere equal to a mass over high for each of the 11
buildings included.
287
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
How do City Streetlights and Signals contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
As with Buildings and Grounds, the electricity used to supply our street lighting is a source of
Opportunities for Reduction
Greenhouse Gas. The emissions factor associated with electricity use varies based on the raw
According to a 2012 Minnesota Department of Commerce study, switching from HPS to
fuel sources used by the electrical utilities suppling the local electrical grid utility providers who
LED luminaires typically produces 40% to 60% savings in electricity consumption if the
source more of their power through renewable energy sources, have commensurately lower
system is properly designed. In addition, wireless control and monitoring systems can
GHG emission factors.
allow the city to implement dimming strategies that may reduce street lighting energy
consumption by another 10-20%.
According to a 2011 study by the Lighting Research Center, on average, municipal lighting
uses 4 kwh per mile of street light coverage. Assuming an average of 4,300 hours of operation
annually, that represents 17,520 kwh of energy use and a GHG emission of 12.37 Metric Tonnes
By converting from HPS to LED street lighting fixtures, energy consumption associated with
(12,271 pounds) of CO2e annually per mile of street lighting.
street lighting should be reduced by 180,000 to 270,000 kwh annually. This reduction in
energy consumption would mean a reduction of 127 to 190 Metric Tonnes of CO2e
Summary of Findings*
annually.
For the City Operations Baseline year of 2015, the Xcel Energy reports a total electrical use of
571,872 kwh for City of Maplewood owned streetlights and signals. The GHG emission
associated with City of Maplewood Streetlight energy use for the Baseline year of 2015 totaled
403.62 Metric Tonnes (889,828 pounds) CO2e.
* Sources: City of Maplewood and Elk River Municipal Utilities data, emission factors based on US EPA and Xcel Energy,
City Operations
Streetlights and Signals
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
7.66%
City Operations
403.62 7,919,
Total
Cubic Feet of
Metric Tonnes
Man-Made
Atmosphere
Operations of City of
Maplewood streetlights and
signals produces a volume of
greenhouse gas equal to:
Cubic Feet of man-made
Atmosphere annually
For every family in
Maplewood
11
(Figure to scale)
522
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory Opportunities for Reduction
Recommendations from Greenstep Cities offer a range of best practice concepts which
can greatly reduce municipal fleet fuel consumption when implemented and reviewed
regularly for continued advancement. Best practices which the City of Maplewood may
How do City Vehicles contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
be able to leverage for continued fuel efficiency include:
Fossil Fuels used in transportation produce GHG when burned, primarily CO2. In fact, the
Efficiently use existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video
weight of CO2 produced actually exceeds the weight of the fuel burned. The amount of GHG
conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology.
produced by common vehicle fuels ranges from 19.4 pounds per gallon for gasoline to 22.5
pounds for diesel.
No-Idling practices and policies
Vehicle replacement plan to migrate to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Nationally, Americans drive over 3 trillion miles annually, producing 1.2 billion Metric Tonnes of
Optimize street maintenance and snow plowing routes for highest fuel economy.
vehicle related GHG emissions.*
Explore Efficiency Programs focused on diesel engine retrofits, installation of
*For more information:http://www.bluedotregister.org/carbon-copy/2014/12/11/a-mountain-of-an-impact-the-carbon-footprint-of-
auxiliary power units
american-roads
Conduct a Sidewalk and Trails study to identify opportunities to encourage and
increase biking and walking as transit options both for city employees as well as the
public.
According to the US EPA:
How can GHG
emissions weigh more
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is
than the fuel we burn
produced from burning a fuel weighs more
than the amount of the fuel itself, because
during complete combustion, each carbon
City Operations
atom in the fuel combines with two oxygen
atoms in the air to make CO2. The addition
City Vehicles
of two oxygen atoms to each carbon atom
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
forms CO2, which has an atomic weight of
44roughly 3.6667 times the atomic weight
17,651,067
899.60
17.08%
of the carbon, which is 12.
Cubic Feet of
Metric Tonnes
City Operations
Man-Made
Total
Atmosphere
Summary of Findings*
Operations of City of Maplewood vehicles
The City of Maplewood owns and operates vehicles as a critical support to functions in Police,
generates a volume of greenhouse gas per
Fire, Public Works, Parks, and City Administration functions. During the 2015 Baseline year, the
municipal road mile equal to
Citys vehicle fleet used 45,064 gallons of gasoline and 94,135 gallons of diesel fuel. The
emissions volume associated with the fleets fuel consumption totaled 899.6 Metric Tonnes
185,801
(1,983,276 pounds) CO2e, approximately 0.54% of community wide vehicle emissions.**
Cubic feet.
* Sources: City of Maplewood data, emission factors based on US EPA and EIA.
**Based on Regional Indicators Initiative data.
Municipal streets within
the City of Maplewood
total
95
12
Road Miles
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
Opportunities for Reduction
How does City Employee Transportation contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
Business Travel Optimization by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing,
The Citys operational travel and transport emissions come from three primary sources:
carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology.
employee commute to and from work, auto-oriented business travel within region, and business
air travel regionally/nationally.
Explore Partnership with Nice Ride Minnesota for installation of bike sharing locations
convenient to city staff as well as community members as strategy to increase commute
As with the City Vehicle sector of City Operations GHG emissions, employee travel to and from
via public transit and bike.
work and required business travel regionally and out of state require fossil fuel use. The amount
of GHG produced by common transportation fuels ranges from 19.4 pounds per gallon for
Implement Public Transit Commuter Campaign by building awareness through
gasoline to 21.5 pounds for jet fuel and 22.5 pounds for diesel.
communicating public transit routes, establish carpool groups, and communicate
reimbursement potentials available under December 2015 US Consolidated
Appropriations Act (HR 2029)
Employee Green-Commuter Incentives Explore incentives for employee green-commiters
such as buss passes, insurance premium reductions for walking/biking to work, etc.
City Operations
Travel - Car
CommuteTravel - Air
Employee Transportation
44,822 Miles
1,004,850 Miles 43,915 Miles
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
17.75 Metric Tonnes
381 Metric Tonnes 12.03 Metric Tonnes
8,051,359
410.34
7.79%
Cubic Feet of
Metric Tonnes
City Operations
Man-Made
Total
Atmosphere
Summary of Findings*
According to the Citys 2015 employee commuter survey, the average round-trip employee
Emissions associated with employee commute
commute distance is 24.36 compared with the estimated community-wide average of 38 miles.
And business travel total
City employee work commutes are primarily in single occupant vehicle (97.28%), while 1%
occurs in carpools, and 1.72% via biking or walking. Total annual vehicle miles traveled for City
employee commute is calculated at 977,518 miles for single occupant and 10,049 miles for
carpooling. Total City employee commuter emissions for the 2015 Baseline year equal 381
Metric Tonnes (839,960 pounds) CO2e.
48,796
Cubic Feet of man-made
Business travel through the Baseline 2015 year totaled 45,822 miles for road transportation and
atmosphere per City
43,915 miles for air transportation. Total annual emissions associated with this business travel
employee(Figure to scale)
equal 30 Metric Tonnes (66,138 pounds) CO2e.
The 411 Metric Tonnes associated with these three City Operations travel and transportation
equal 0.20% of Community Wide travel and transportation emissions.**
* Sources: City of Maplewood data, emission factors based on US EPA and EIA. Calculations for car business travel were calculated
based on current reimbursement rates. Calculations for air business travel were calculated based on national average cost-per-
mile datahttp://airlines.org/data/annual-round-trip-fares-and-fees-domestic/
**Source Regional Indicators Initiative.
13
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
How do the provision of Water and Wastewater Utilities contribute to Greenhouse Gas
Emissions?
Water and energy use are inextricably linked in modern cities. Energy is required to extract,
treat, and distribute water to residences and businesses. Nationally, the United States
consumes over 355 billion gallons of water daily, requiring an estimated 500 billion kwh annually
to distribute to users. Globally, water treatment and distribution is estimated to contribute 2-3%
of total greenhouse gas emissions annually.
As with water processing and distribution, Wastewater collection and treatment requires
energy inputs. With our current energy grid, those energy inputs are significantly fossil fuel
based.
In addition to emissions associated with fossil fuel use, wastewater treatment produces
significant Biogenic emissions associated with the microbial processing of the waste solids.
The primary gas emitted during biological nitrogen removal is Nitrous Oxide (N2O), a
greenhouse gas with a potency roughly 300 times that of CO2. With such potency and an
observed increase of atmospheric N2O of over 17%, ongoing studies by the US EPA and
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continue to refine understanding of the
origins, impacts, and reduction strategies for wastewater N2O emissions.
City Operations
For the purposes of GHG calculations for community carbon footprint reporting, these
Biogenic emissions are considered to be a part of the biological carbon cycle and are not
Water and Wastewater
currently included in the GHG totals. Protocols may change in the future to include
wastewater Biogenic N2O emissions.
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
0.83%
43.73 858,075
Cubic Feet of
Metric Tonnes
City Operations
Man-Made
Total
Summary of Findings*
Atmosphere
The City of Maplewood operates neither a wastewater treatment facility, nor a water utility.
Within the City, wastewater treatment is provided by the Metropolitan Council, while water is
provided by Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS). The communitys share of both the
Daily emissions associated with Maplewoods
Met Councils wastewater treatment as well as SPRWSs emissions are included in the
auxiliary Waste Water infrastructure total:
Community Wide GHG Inventory.
The City does, however, operate pump and lift stations to augment water distribution as well as
wastewater collection within the boundaries of the City. These 11 stations consume a total of
2,351
61,962 kwh annually, generating a total of 43.72 Metric Tonnes (96,386 Pounds) CO2e
Cubic Feet of man-made
* Sources: energy consumption as reported by City of Maplewood, emission factors based on US EPA and Excel Energy,
atmosphere
(Figure to scale)
14
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
How does City Operations Solid Waste contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
Opportunities for Reduction
According to US EPA studies, traditional waste management contributes 1-5% of our collective
Based on the March 2016 waste sort of City facilities provided by Waste Wise, 53% of
GHG emissions in the United States. The processing and treatment of waste can produce
facility waste is compostable, 17% is recyclable, and 4% is reusable. Although this study
emissions of several of the greenhouse gases. Even recycling of waste produces some
represents a snapshot of waste collected over just one week, it offers guidance on
greenhouse gas emissions, however, these are usually offset by the reduction in fossil fuel use
where efforts within City operations may best focus:
that would be required to create a similar amount of product from raw resources.
Compostable Waste: Develop a compostable waste collection program for city facilities
The most prevalent greenhouse gas produced through municipal solid waste is the methane
and implement in conjunction with an educational/awareness campaign to alert facility
released during the breakdown of organic matter in landfills. Pound for pound, the cumulative
users to the role of composting. Composting program may include traditional compost
climate change effect of methane is 25 times more potent than that of carbon dioxide.
collection (including compostable paper) as well as compost collection systems capable
Additionally, municipal solid waste is frequently combusted, which produces CO2 as well as
of handling range of food waste including meat.
nitrous oxide (N2O) which is 298 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
Paper Use Reduction: Develop policies focused on reduction of office paper use. Tips to
consider for inclusion can be found at MPCA. Policies implemented should include office
paper use tracking and reporting to employees, encouraging and rewarding continued
Nationally, emissions from solid waste landfills
improvement.
total 301,203,000,000 pounds annually,
creating a volume of man-made atmosphere
equal to 2.7 Trillion cubic feet.
City Operations
Solid Waste
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
0.13%
133,813
6.82
Summary of Findings*
Cubic Feet of
Metric Tonnes
City Operations
The volume of the City facilities solid waste are not currently measured by the Citys waste
Man-Made
Total
handler. Annual recycling collections per City owned building are reported in Tennis
Atmosphere
Sanitations annual recycling report. Using this data and community wide averages for
recycling share of total municipal solid waste handled, the total municipal solid waste (MSW)
from City facilities can be estimated.
Annual emissions associated with solid waste
generated at Maplewood facilities totals:
MSW handled from City of Maplewood facilities for Baseline year 2015 totaled 35.61 tons, or 432
pounds of waste annually per City employee (FTE). Using the community wide blended GHG
factor for MSW handled, the GHG emissions associated with City of Maplewood facility waste
handled totals 6.82 Metric Tonnes (15,036 pounds) CO2e.
811
* Sources: Total waste handled data, and community waste characteristics based on Regional Indicators Initiative and MPCA.
Cubic Feet of man-made
Blended emission factor per ton MSW handled based on Regional Indicators Initiative.
Atmosphere per employee
(Figure to scale)
1.9
Cubic Feet per pound of solid
15
waste (Figure to scale)
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
City Operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions
GHG emissions for the 2015 City Operations Baseline year total 5,267.41 Metric Tonnes
(11,612,637 pounds) CO2e, an emission rate of 31.92 Metric Tonnes per employee (FTE),
or 48.37 pounds CO2e per City facility per year. The City Operations total GHG
emissions represent 1.08% of Maplewood community-wide GHG emissions. City
Operation emissions are as follows:
City Buildings and Grounds 3,503.30 Metric Tonnes(66.51%)
Streetlights and Signals 403.62 Metric Tonnes(7.66%)
City Vehicles 899.60 Metric Tonnes(17.08%)
Employee Travel and Transportation 410.34 Metric Tonnes(7.79%)
Water and Wastewater 43.73 Metric Tonnes(0.83%)
Solid Waste 6.82 Metric Tonnes(0.13%)
Total: 5,267.41 Metric Tonnes(100%)
Solid Waste
City Operations
* Community Wide total as reported by Regional Indicators Initiative
Water and Wastewater
Employee Transportation
Total
Indirect GHG Emissions Not Included
Annual Greenhouse Gas equal to:
City Vehicles
The total GHG emissions captured by this assessment do not do not include indirect emissions
Streetlights and Signals
associated with city food and product purchases, or with services provided to the City of
5,267.5,267.4141
103,352,455
Buildings and Grounds
Maplewood such as professional consulting. On average, indirect full supply chain emissions
Metric TonnesMetric Tonnes
Cubic Feet of
associated with products and services purchased equal 1 pound of CO2e per dollar spent.
Man-Made
Atmosphere
Volume Visualization
The graphic above represents the volume of man-made GHG atmosphere produced
annually by the City of Maplewood operations, broken down by category, shown in
16
scale with Maplewood Community Center.
Apendix
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
City of Maplewood Buildings and Grounds Detail
City Operations Carbon Baseline
Buildings and Grounds
Average EUI (actual)240,06832,228,854
Facility2015 Baseline% Total
GHG Emissions
Electricity Use
Electricity Emissions (actual)
Base Accounts (actual)KWH
Factor (Metric Tonnes per KWH)*0.000705791
City Hall / Police Station800,677.65 23.24%
Base Accounts (Metric Tonnes)2,431.69 100.00%
Fire Station 2114,865.88 3.33%
New Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00 0.00%
Fire Staiton 752,410.76 1.52%
Subtotal Electric GHG Emissions2,431.69 Metric Tonnes
McKnight Station93,529.41 2.71%
Community Center2,008,151.88 58.29%
Natural Gas Emissions (actual)
Nature Center19,535.72 0.57%
Factor (Metric Tonnes per Therm)
0.005302
Parks and Recreation46,945.88 1.36%
Base Accounts (Metric Tonnes)1,071.61 100.00%
8.98%
Public Works309,219.00
New Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00 0.00%
Subtotal Base Accounts3,445,336.19 100.00%
Subtotal Gas GHG Emissions1,071.61 Metric Tonnes
New Accounts (actual)
Total GHG Emissions (actual)3,503.30 Metric Tonnes
Subtotal New Accounts0.00 0.00%
Total GHG Emissions (actual) per Facility Square Foot32.17 pounds
1
High
Total Electrical Use (actual)3,445,336.19 100.00%Level of Confidence:
Natural Gas Use
Weather Normalized Totals***
Base Accounts (actual)Therms
Normalization Factors
City Hall / Police Station47,283.59 23.39%
112.68%
HDD Normalizaiton Factor
Fire Station 25,546.06 2.74%
92.55%
CDD Normalization Factor
Fire Staiton 76,204.24 3.07%
Normalized Energy Use
McKnight Station8,897.12 4.40%
3,381,166.80
Weather Normalized Total Electrical Use
Community Center90,059.80 44.56%
222,616.93
Weather Normalized Total Gas Use
Nature Center1,340.58 0.66%
Normalized GHG Emissions
Parks and Recreation6,110.82 3.02%
2,386.40 Metric Tonnes
Weather Normalized Electrical GHG
Public Works36,672.24 18.14%
1,180.31 Metric Tonnes
Weather Normalized Gas GHG
Subtotal Base Accounts202,114.44 100.00%
New Accounts (actual)
3,566.71 Metric Tonns
Total GHG Emissions (Normalized)
1
High
Level of Confidence:
Subtotal New Accounts0.00 0.00%
* Electicity factor based on grid specific data provided by EPA https://www.epa.gov/energy/power-profiler
Total Natural Gas Use (actual)202,114.44 100.00%
** Natural Gas factor based on EPA data https://www.epa.gov/energy/ghg-equivalencies-calculator-
calculations-and-references
Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
Base Accounts (actual)Building Area (sF)Total KBTUEUI
*** Weather Normalized totals adjust energy use and GHG levels based on adjustments of Year against the
City Hall / Police Station47,4807,590,995.51159.88
region's 30 year average as determined through Heating (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD) for year as
Fire Station 210,403946,528.2790.99
reported by NOAA http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information. Factor is applied to 80% natural gas
Fire Staiton 75,818799,249.06137.38
consumption and to 25% electricity consumption (typical heating and air conditioning shares)
McKnight Station17,6731,208,834.1268.40
1 High confidence level based on high quality energy metering and tracking at all facilities, emission factor
Community Center86,14415,988,992.11185.61
rates from utility companies, EPA and DOE coincide, and normalization HDD and CDD calculations based on
Nature Center3,030200,714.3166.24
NOAA records.
Parks and Recreation10,770771,261.7071.61
Public Works58,7504,722,278.7680.38
Total for Base Accounts240,06832,228,853.85134.25
New Accounts (actual)
Total for New Accounts00.000.00
Average EUI (actual)240,06832,228,854134.25
Apendix
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
City of Maplewood Streetlights and Signals Detail
City of Maplewood City Vehicles Detail
City Operations Carbon Baseline
City Operations Carbon Baseline
Streetlights and Signals
City Vehicles
2015 Baseline% Total
Department2015 Baseline% Total
Electricity Use
Gallons
Gasoline Use
Base Accounts (actual)KWH
Public Works137.00 0.30%
All Base Accounts571,872 100.00%
Fire Department1,831.00 4.06%
New Accounts (actual)
Police43,096.00 95.63%
Subtotal Gasoline45,064.00 100.00%
Subtotal New Accounts0.00 0.00%
Gallons
Diesel Use
Total Electrical Use (actual)571,872.00 100.00%
Public Works33,743.00 68.76%
Fire Department15,328.00 31.24%
GHG Emissions
Police0.00 0.00%
Electricity Emissions (actual)
Subtotal Diesel49,071.00 100.00%
Factor (Metric Tonnes per KWH)*0.000705791
Base Accounts (Metric Tonnes)403.62 100.00%
Total Fuel Used94,135.00 Gallons
New Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00 0.00%
GHG Emissions
Metric Tonns
403.62 Gasoline Emissions
Total GHG Emissions
1
Good
Factor (Metric Tonnes per Gallon)*0.008908565 metric tonnes
Level of Confidence:
Subtotal Electric GHG Emissions401.46 Metric Tonnes
* Electicity factor based on grid specific data provided by EPA
Diesel Emissions
https://www.epa.gov/energy/power-profiler
Factor (Metric Tonnes per Gallon)*0.010151409 metric tonnes
1 Good confidence level based on high quality energy metering report for one month
Subtotal Electric GHG Emissions498.14 Metric Tonnes
period. Full annual use projected. Improved confidence can be attained through full
annual energy use data tracking. Emission factor rates from utility companies, EPA and
Metric Tonns
899.60
DOE coincide.
Total GHG Emissions
1
High
Level of Confidence:
* Gasoline and Diesel emission factors based on EPA data:
http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/1605/coefficients.html#tbl2
1 High confidence level based on high quality fuel use tracking, well established emission
factor rates from US EPA.
Apendix
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
City of Maplewood Employee Transportation Detail
City of Maplewood Water and Wastewater Detail
City Operations Carbon Baseline
City Operations Carbon Baseline
Water and Wastewater Utilities
City Employee Transportation
2015 Baseline% Total
Department2015 Baseline% Total
City Operated Facilities
Employee CountTotal Miles
Commute
Electrical Use
Total City Employee Count165
Base Accounts (actual)KWH
Average Commute Distance (estimated round trip)*24.36 Miles
Treatment FacilityN/A
Total City Employee Commute Travel Annual**1,004,850 Passenger Miles Traveled (PMT)
100.00%
Lift Stations (11 accounts)61,962
Single Occupant Commute Annual Share**97.28%977,518 PMT
New Accounts (actual)
Carpool Commute Annual Share **1.00%10,049 PMT
Public Transit Commute Annual Share **0.00%0 PMT
Subtotal New Accounts0.00 0.00%
Walking/Biking Commute Annual Share**1.72%17,283 PMT
Total Electrical Use (actual)61,962.00 100.00%
Commute GHG EmissionsFactor***Subtotal
metric tonnes
Single Occupant Commute Emission per PMT0.000387379
Natural Gas Use
Carpool Occupant Commute Emission per PMT0.0001942 metric tonnes
Base Accounts (actual)Therms
Public Transit Commute Emission per PMT0.0001070 metric tonnes
Treatment FacilityN/A
Walking/Biking Commute Emission per PMT0.0000000 metric tonnes
Lift Stations (11 accounts)0 0.00%
New Accounts (actual)
Total Commute GHG Emissions381
Subtotal New Accounts0.00 0.00%
Business Travel
Total Natural Gas Use (actual)0.00 0.00%
City Business Travel - Car45,822 Miles
Miles
City Business Travel - Air***43,915
GHG Emissions
Electricity Emissions (actual)
Business Travel GHG EmissionsFactor***Subtotal
Factor (Metric Tonnes per KWH)*0.000705791
Car Travel Emission per PMT0.00038717.75 metric tonnes
Base Accounts (Metric Tonnes)43.73 100.00%
Air Travel Emission per PMT0.00027412.03 metric tonnes
#DIV/0!
New Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00
Subtotal Electric GHG Emissions43.73 Metric Tonnes
Total Business Travel GHG Emissions30
Natural Gas Emissions (actual)
Metric Tonns
410.34
Total GHG Emissions
1
Factor (Metric Tonnes per Therm)0.005302
Moderate
Level of Confidence:
Base Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00#DIV/0!
New Accounts (Metric Tonnes)0.00#DIV/0!
* Round trip commute distance is based on US Census Bueraue Maplewood average commute time and peak
Metric Tonnes
Subtotal Gas GHG Emissions0.00
commuter speed data by Inrix http://inrix.com/worst-corridors/
Metric Tonns
43.73
Total GHG Emissions**
1
**Commuter statistics based on 2015 City of Maplewood employee commute survey with 38% of staff responding.
High
Level of Confidence:
Survey indicated 98.28% of respondants driving, with 5.17% indicating carpooling "on occasion". For purposes of
calculations, we have reduced sole-occupant car by 1% to account for occasional car pooling response.
* Electicity factor based on grid specific data provided by EPA
*** Emission factors based on: Single occupant and Carpool - US EPA; Public Transit and Air travel based on EPA
https://www.epa.gov/energy/power-profiler
http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1001177.PDF?Dockey=P1001177.PDF
** Emissions do not include water/sanitary utility use at city owned facilities provided by
non-city owned/operated utilities.
1 Moderate confidence level based on lack of detailed auto and air travel mileage tracking requiring estimation based
1 High confidence level based on quality energy use metering provided by City and well
on high quality financial records to establish miles traveled. Emission rates are high level of confidence.
established emission factor rates from US EPA.
Apendix
Maplewood GHG Baseline Inventory
City of Maplewood Solid Waste Detail
City Operations Carbon Baseline
Solid Waste
2015 Baseline
Building Area (sF)Total Recyc (lbs)lbs/sf/yr
Annual City Facility Recycling Quantities (actual)*
City Hall / Police Station47,48087600.18
Fire Station 210,40332420.31
Fire Staiton 75,81811480.20
McKnight Station17,6736010.03
Community Center86,14443300.05
Nature Center3,0301,158.000.38
Parks and Recreation10,77083500.78
Public Works58,75087340.15
Total Recycling240,06836,3230.15
Building Area (sF)Total MSW (tons)lbs/sf/yr
Annual City Facility MSW Quantity (estimated)**
City Hall / Police Station47,4808.590.36
Fire Station 210,4033.180.61
Fire Staiton 75,8181.130.39
McKnight Station17,6730.590.07
Community Center86,1444.250.10
Nature Center3,0301.140.75
Parks and Recreation10,7708.191.52
Public Works58,7508.560.29
Total Trash240,06835.610.30
Total Trash per FTE432 lbs per year
GHG Emissions
metric tonnes
Factor (Metric Tonnes per US Ton waste)***0.19151
Solid Waste GHG Annually6.82 metric tonnes
Solid Waste GHG per FTE per Day0.36 lbs/fte/work day
Metric Tonns
6.82
Total GHG Emissions
1
Moderate
Level of Confidence:
* Based on data from Tennis 2015 annual recycling report
** Waste total calculated based on 51% recycling content total for community wide MSW handled
according to data provided in Regional Indicators Initiative
*** Emission per Regional Indicators Intiative, blended rate of 0.368 metric tonnes GHG per US ton fossil waste
Refuse Derived Fuel incineration and 0.448 metric tonnes GHG per US ton landfil waste
1 Moderate confidence level based on lack MSW quantity tracking (commonly not available). Estimations
based on quality total community waste characteristics and quality waste sort efforts by City of Maplewood.
Report Prepared by
2515 White Bear Avenue, A8
Suite 177
Maplewood, MN 55109
612-669-7056
www.bluedotregister.org
Agenda Item 6.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE: July 13, 2016, for the July 18 ENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
Introduction
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission’s 2016 goal is to review the
City’s ordinances and make recommendations that will remove barriers and promote urban
agriculture uses. There are four aspects of the Commission’s review including:
Animal agriculture (keeping of chickens, etc.)
Crop agriculture (community gardens, etc.)
Direct to consumer sales (farm stands, etc.)
City Programming (composting classes, etc.)
Background
The urban agriculture subcommittee reviewed the City’s existing zoning code to determine
where urban agriculture uses are permitted, or could be interpreted to be permitted, and where
there are barriers to the use(Attachment 1).During the July meeting the ENR Commission will
continue their focus on animal agriculture. In particular, reviewing amendments to the chicken
ordinance,regulations for backyard beekeeping, and amendments to the manufacturing zoning
district to allow aquaculture and aquaponics uses.
Discussion
Keeping of Chickens
Proposed Changes
The City of Maplewood adopted a chicken ordinance on July 11, 2011. The ordinance allows
the keeping of up to ten chickens (hens only) on residential property with a permit. During the
June Environmental Commission meeting the Commission proposed the following amendments
to the chicken ordinance:
Remove the 6-foot height requirement for chicken coops and chicken runs.
Change neighborhood consent from 100% to 75%.
Change permit renewals from one year after the initial permit is issued and every other year
thereafter.
Require chicken permit inspections during the initial permit process and first renewal, with
inspections on an as-needed basis thereafter.
Change the number of chickens allowed from 10 to a maximum number based on space
requirements, not to exceed 50 chickens(refer to section below for additional information).
Number of Chickens
Based on the Commission’s recommendation of limiting the number of chickens based on
space requirements, staff is proposing the following: Allow up to 10 chickens on residential lots
that are 10,000 square feet or less(the average size of lots in Maplewood), with one additional
chicken to be permitted for every 5,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet in area,
or a maximum of 50 chickenswhichever is less. In this scenario a majority of Maplewood
residential properties would be allowed 10 chickens if they met all of the other ordinance
requirements including the 75% neighborhood consent. Larger lots, which are generally found
in South Maplewood, would be allowed additional chickens. As an example, a two-acre lot
would be allowed 35 chickens as follows:
2 acre lot = 87,120 s.f.
87,120 s.f. lot –10,000 s.f. (10 chickens) = 77,120 s.f. remaining
77,120 s.f. remaining lot area / 5,000 s.f. = 15.424 (15 additional chickens)
10 chickens per 10,000 s.f. + 15 additional chickens for larger lot = 35 total chickens
Keeping of Bees
Maplewood does not have a backyard beekeeping ordinance orpermit requirements. The City
does have a nuisance ordinance that prohibits nuisance insects. This can be interpreted to
include nuisances caused by backyard beekeeping.
The goal of the urban agriculture zoning review is to remove barriers and promote urban
agriculture. For this reason, staff does not recommend over-regulating or requiring permits for
the keeping of bees, but does find that some regulations are warranted.Nuisances can be
alleviated by limited regulations. Additionally, beekeeping language in the City code will help
promote the use.Staff is proposing the following language to address these issues:
Definitions:
Bee –any stage of the common domestic honeybee, apis melilifera species.
Beekeeping –keeping of bees in ahive.
Hive –a structure intended for the housing of a bee colony.
Zoning Districts:
Beekeeping is permitted outright (in all zoning districts) as an accessory use.
Hive Location:
No hive shall be located closer than 5 feet from any property line.
No hive shall belocated closer than 10 feet from a public sidewalk or 25 feet from a principal
building on an adjoining lot.
No hive shall be located on a rooftop unless inspected and permitted by the building
department.
2
General Regulations:
Aconstant supply of water shall be provided for all hives.
Care must be taken so as not to cause a public nuisance.
AquacultureandAquaponics
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. It
involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater aquatic populations under controlled conditions for
the production and sale of fish. Aquaponicsis a closed-loop systembetween plants and fish. It
involves cultivating fish and plants in a symbiotic environment for the production and sale of fish
and produce.
Maplewood’s zoning code does include a definition for these uses and does not specify where
they would be permitted.However, in residential districtsthe home occupation ordinance could
allow asmall scale residential aquaculture or aquaponics operation with apermit. Home
occupation permits require a public hearing with the Planning Commission and final approval by
the City Council. Nuisancesassociated with the small scale residential aquaculture and
aquaponics use would be addressed at that time.
The manufacturing zoning districts specifically prohibit the assembly orprocessing of fish, which
can be interpreted to mean that aquaculture or aquaponics uses are prohibited.To promote the
uses within manufacturing zoning districts, staff recommends the following amendments:
Definitions:
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and
mollusks. It involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater aquatic populations
under controlled conditions for the production and sale of fish.
A quaponics is a c losed-loop systembetween plants and fish. It involves cultivating
fish and plants in a symbiotic environment for the production and sale of fish and
produce.
Zoning District:
Light and Heavy Manufacturing Districts:
o Permitted uses allows manufacturing, assembly or processing of food products,
except meat, poultry,or fish(excluding the assembly or processing of fish
associated with aquaponics or aquaculture operations).
Summary
Once the animal agriculture amendments are finalized above, the Commission can move
forward with the other sections of review including crop agriculture (community gardens, etc.)
anddirect to consumer sales (farm stands, etc.)
3
Recommendation
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should review the report and offer
comment and feedback on moving forward with the animal agriculture section of the urban
agriculture zoning review.
Attachment
1.Urban Agriculture Zoning Review Study
4
Attachment 1
City of Maplewood Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
Update June 16, 2016
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission’s 2016 goal is to review the
City’s ordinances and make recommendations that will remove barriers and promote urban
agriculture uses. There are four aspects of the Commission’s review including:
Animal agriculture (keeping of chickens, etc.)
Crop agriculture (community gardens, etc.)
Direct to consumer sales (farm stands, etc.)
City Programming (composting classes, etc.)
Review of Existing Codes
The urban agriculture subcommittee reviewed the City’s existing zoning code to determine
where urban agriculture uses are permitted, or could be interpretedto be permitted, and where
there are barriers to the use.For animal agriculture uses the following ordinances apply:
Residential
Farm District (Sections 44-71 and 44-72): It is estimated there are 200 residential lots that
are zoned Farm District. The Farm District zoning is a remnant district from the City’s
agricultural era. As large lots were subdivided into smaller lot residential developments,
Farm zoned land had been rezoned to Single Family Residential District (R-1).Livestock
raising and handling are allowed in the Farm District with a conditional use permit. Livestock
is defined as “horses, cattle, mules, asses, goats, sheep, swine, buffalo, llamas, ostriches,
reptiles, genetic hybrids of the foregoing, and other living animals usually kept for agriculture
husbandry, or the production of edible or salable byproducts.”
Single and Double Dwelling Residential Districts Including R-1, R-1(R), R-E, R-1S, R-2
(Sections 44-101,44-117,44-152,44-192,44-241):
o Permitted Uses
Single family homesand accessory uses.
Bees - Keeping of Certain Animals (Section 10-32):No person shall keep, maintain,
or harbor within the city any animal kept in such numbers or in such a way as to
constitute a likelihood of harm to the public, which constitutes a public nuisance.
Definition of animal includes “insect.” Interpretation – bees are allowed as long as
they don’t become a nuisance.
o Prohibited Uses
Raising or handling of livestock and poultry(except chickens as outlined in Article
IX).
o Home Occupations (Division 2)with a permit approved by the City Council if any of the
following circumstances would occur more than 30 days each year.
1
Employment of a nonresident.
Customers or customers’ vehicles on the premises.
Home Occupations must not:
Have more than one vehicle associated with the home occupation which is classified
as a light commercial vehicle.
Not generate traffic in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a
residential neighborhood.
Have more than one non-resident employee workingon the premises.
Have vehiclesassociated with the home occupation parked on the street.
Section 44-101includes permitted uses in residential zoning districts and specifies that
commercial plant nurseries and greenhouses on a property with a dwelling are allowed
with a home occupation license. Interpretation -aquaculture and aquaponicscould be
allowed with a home occupation.
o Uses Allowed with a Permit
Chickens(Article IX): Keeping of up to ten hens with a permit approved by City staff
is allowed in residential districts (except R-1S). Maplewood’s chicken ordinance was
adopted in 2011 and allows the keeping of up to ten hens on residential property with
a permit. A property owner applying for a permit must have consent from 100
percent of their adjacent property owners for the City to issue the permit. The fee for
a chicken permit is $75 for the first year, and $50 thereafter.
Commercial
Light Manufacturing District:
o Permitted uses in Section 44-636allows manufacturing, assembly or processing of food
products, except meat, poultry or fish. Interpretation –assembly or processing of meat,
poultry, or fish is prohibited, which would exclude aquaculture or aquaponics, which
refers to fish farming and closed loop systems that create a relationship between plants
and food.
Heavy Manufacturing District:
o Permitted uses in Section 44-676allow manufacturing, assembly or processing of food
products, except meat, poultry or fish. Interpretation –assembly or processing of meat,
poultry, or fish is prohibited, which would exclude aquaculture or aquaponics, which
refers to fish farming and closed loop systems that create a relationship between plants
and food.
Conditional Use Permits(Article V): The City Council may issue conditional use permits for
the following uses in any zoning district where they are not specifically prohibited: “Public
and private utilities, public service, or public building uses.”Interpretation –public service or
public building uses could include animal agriculture by a public entity in some zoning
districts with a conditional use permit.
2