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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-25 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCESCOMMISSION Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East Thursday,January 25, 2018 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. –Goal Setting Workshop(Maplewood Room) 1.Review 2017 Goals and Accomplishments 2.Discussand Recommend 2018 Goals and Action Items 7:00 p.m.–Environmental Commission Meeting(Council Chambers) 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Agenda 4.Approval ofMinutes: a.December 18, 2017 5.New Business a.Election of Chair and ViceChair b.Wetland Buffer Variance for a New House at 832 McKnight Road South 6.Unfinished Business a.Wakefield Park Community Building 7.Visitor Presentations 8.Commissioner Presentations 9.Staff Presentations a.Presentation of Annual Report to City Council –February 12, 2018 b.February ENR Commission Meeting –Tuesday, February 27, 2018 (2040 Comp Plan) c.Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10.Adjourn ENR Goal Setting Agenda Item 1 & 2 MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner DATE: 2018 GoalSettingWorkshop TIME: 6 to 7 PM LOCATION:Maplewood Room SUBJECT: January 22, 2018 for the January 25 ENRCommission Meeting Introduction The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission should review the 2017 goals and consider amending or setting new goals for 2018. Discussion ENR Commission Duties and Responsibilities In order to protect, preserve and enhance the environment of the City of Maplewood, the ENR Commission will: 1.Establishenvironmental priorities for the city in partnership with the City Council. 2.Recommend to the Community Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council changes necessary to existing policies, operating procedures and ordinances that control, protect, preserve and enhance the city’s environmental assets. 3.Actively participate in and support the mission and goals of the Maplewood Nature Center and Neighborhood Preserves by promoting environmental awareness through educational programs, communications and co-sponsored activities. 4.Proactively promote greater use and appreciations of the city’s environmental assets. 5.Review the role of other city groups and how they might assist, support and advise the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. 6.Sponsor environmental projects to enhance, repair, replace or restore neglected or deteriorating environmental assets of the city. 7.Develop educational programs and materials that foster the missionto the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. 8.Develop and promote the use of “sustainable practices” for city policies and procedures. Update on 2017Goals The ENR Commission’s 2017goals and the status of those goals are as follows: 1.Planning: a.Urban AgricultureZoning Review:Review the City’s zoning code and make recommendations on removingbarriers and promotingurban agriculture. Status: The ENR Commission finalized the Urban Agriculture Zoning Review on December 18, 2017, when final zoning amendments were proposed. The zoning amendments will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council in early 2018. b.Resilience Planning:Begin comprehensive plan review including resiliency/energy planning. Status:The ENR Commission is scheduled to review the final draft of the Resilience,Natural Resources, and Critical AreaChapters in February2018. c.Renewable Energy Ordinance:Make recommendations for amendments to the City’s renewable energy ordinanceas proposed by SolSmartto remove barriers to solar energy. Status: The ENR Commission did not review the renewable energy ordinance in 2017. This goal should be carried over to 2018. 2.Environmental Education: a.Events: Plan environmental education focus for key events. Status:The ENR Commission participated in the 2017 Waterfestevent. b.Outreach: Focus on more environmental education outreach, such as partnering with the City’s Communication Department and Green Team to create public service messages and use social media throughout the year. Status: Theenvironmental education subcommittee attendedone Green Team meeting to discuss environmental education outreach. Since that time the City’s Communications Department is fully staffed and will have the availability to accommodate this goal in 2018. 2018Action Items In addition to any unfinished goals listed above, following is a list of itemswhich will require review by the Commission in 2018: 1.Comprehensive Plan:Comprehensive plan updates must be complete by December 31, 2018. The ENR Commission has reviewed the Resilience and Natural Resources Chapters.Three open houses are scheduled in January to gain comment and feedback on the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The ENR Commission is scheduled to review the final 2 draft of these chapters in February. The next stepincludesreview by the Steering Committee andCity Council prior to release of the plan to adjacent communities for their comments. 2.Renewable Energy Ordinance:The City is participating in the SolSmart program, a national recognition program to spotlight solar friendly communities. As part of our participation in the program, the City’s renewable energy ordinance was reviewed by a team of energy experts. The energy experts offered feedback on ordinance amendments toreduce barriers to solar access. In 2018, the Commission should review the renewable energy ordinance amendment recommendations. 4.Trash and Recycling Contract:The City’s trash and recycling contracts end December 2019. In 2018 theENR Commission will begin reviewing solid waste goals and objectives in preparation for the release of a request for proposals in early 2019. 5.Mississippi River Critical Area(MRCCA) Ordinance:The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) published new rules for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area on December 27, 2016. Rule implementation includes updating the City’sMRCCA plans in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The ENR Commission is scheduled to review the draft MRCCA Plan in February. The MRCCA ordinanceupdates will be phased over three years from2019 to 2021. The ENR Commission will begin that review in early 2019. 6.Re-Energize Maplewood!:Maplewood received a $7,500 seed grant from Metro CERTs to be used for the Re-Energize Maplewood!program.The program will be implemented through a partnership with the City of Maplewood, Pale Blue Dot LLC, Center for Energy and Environment(CEE), and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce –Energy Smart Program. It will be the first step towardachieving Maplewood’s Comprehensive Plan renewable energy goals and builds on the City’sEnergize Maplewood!energy action plan by: a.Providing solar feasibility, benefits, and funding information follow-up to homes and businesses who previously participatedin energy actions outlined in the Energize Maplewood!energy action plan. b.Expanding the program for residents through outreach for low-income manufactured home communities combined with Home Energy Squad services through our project partner Center for Energy and Environment. c.Expanding the program for businesses by identifying the top 40 solar sites in the City, provide site-specific solar feasibility, benefits, and funding information along with energy efficiency services throughour project partner Energy Smart. The ENR Commission should play a role in implementing Re-Energize Maplewood!over the next year oncethe program work plan is complete in March 2018. City Council Strategic Priorities The City Council adopted Maplewood Strategic Planfor 2017 through 2019.The plan serves as the community’s roadmap and is used to prioritize initiatives, resources, goals, and department operations and projects. The strategic plan is a big-picture document directing efforts and 3 resources toward a clearly defined vision.The Commission should review the strategic priorities outlined in the plan prior to creating goals for 2018: 1.Financial Stability: Maintain a positive financial position by balancing revenues and expenditures for operations, debt management, and capital investments. Provide quality city services at a level that reflects community values and that are supported by available resources. 2.Coordinated Communication: Create a long-term vision that reflects our community identity and effectively communicates aconsistent, broad-based message and brand through a variety of mediums. 3.Effective Governance: Creating a culture thatis built on trust, conveys clearly identified goals and expectations, and isfocused on the City’s long-range mission and vision. The City values progressive initiatives to enhancequality of life, create community inclusiveness, and is committed to beingon the forefrontof best practices.Organizational focus on being industry leaders in areas such as environmental, policing, EMS and staff development. 4.Targeted Redevelopment: Guide residential development by leveraging resources to expand the taxbase but also createhousing options that meets the diversity of the community. Promote commercial developmentthrough the green building code and innovation that supports business growth. 5.Operational Effectiveness: Valuing organizational efficiencies which are based on performance measurement and accountability. 2018 Nature Center Key Goals The Maplewood Nature Center sets annual goals. The ENR Commission and the Nature Center partner in many environmental initiatives. Therefore, the Commission should refer to the Nature Center’s 2018goals listed below prior to setting Commission goals. 1.Install new shed. 2.Upgrade infrastructure at Edgerton Community Garden including piping water to the site, fencing, signage, additional plots,and ADA-accessible raised beds. 3.Address opportunities and issues arising from streetreconstruction project on Nature Center’s entrance. 4.Support Public Works in promoting boulevard rain gardens on the 2018 street reconstruction project. 5.Coordinate a Bioblitz at Fish Creek Open Space. 6.Work with Communications Department to create two educational videos. 7.Launch next phase of Volgistics software, which allows volunteers to register on-line for work days. 4 2018 Natural Resources and Preserves Goals GinnyGaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, submitted the following list of neighborhood preserves and open space 2018goals and major projects for the Commission’s review: 1.Install benches and kiosk at Fish Creek Open Space. 2.Complete Gladstone Savanna Interpretive Signage Project. 3.Continue restoration at Prairie Farm Preserve. 4.Contract improvements for Priory Preserve including entry, kiosk, overlook sitting area, boardwalk, better parking on shoulder, restoration. 5.Complete work on Natural Resources Chapter of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 6.Develop a Tree Plan for the city. 7.Manage Emerald Ash Borer including educating public, removing ash and replanting replacement trees. 5 Events Following is a list of events in 2018which will help coordinate the ENR Commission calendarsand assist in this year’s goal setting: Calendar Year –2018 January 25(Thursday): ENR MeetingJune 2(Saturday):Waterfest February18(Monday): ENR Meeting 21(Wednesday): Returninggardener22 (Friday): Bioblitzat Fish Creek registration begins for 2018 Edgerton Community Gardenplots.July 27(Tuesday): ENR Meeting4 (Wednesday): Fourth of July Event 16(Monday): ENR Meeting March11to15(Wed. –Sun.): Ramsey Co. Fair 3 (Saturday): Vegetable Growing Basics at MNCAugust 2 (Thursday): Gladstone Event by 6 (Tuesday): Smartphone Birding with Maplewood Parks and Recreation andthe Speaker Sharon Stiteler at MNC 7(Wednesday): New gardener Nature Center 7(Tuesday): National Night Out registration begins for 2018 Edgerton 20(Monday): ENR Meeting Community Gardenplots. 19(Monday): ENR Meeting 24(Saturday): Earth HourSeptember 17(Monday): ENR Meeting April 16(Monday): ENR MeetingOctober 15(Monday): ENR Meeting 21(Saturday): Spring Clean Up Throughout October: Fall Clean Up 21 (Saturday): Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Bees at MNCCampaign and Fish Creek November 22 (Sunday): Earth Day 28(Saturday): Service Project Day for6(Tuesday): Elections Scouts and Individuals at MNC15(Thursday): America Recycles Day 19(Monday): ENR Meeting May 5 (Saturday): Arbor Day Event –GirlDecember Scout Trees for the Bees 17(Monday): ENR Meeting 21(Monday): ENR Meeting Recommendations During the goal-setting session, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should: 1.Review the 2017goals and accomplishments. 2.Discuss and recommend 2018 goals and action items. 6 ENR Meeting Agenda Item 4.a. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday,December 18, 2017 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was calledto order at 7:03 p.m.by Chair Palzer. 2.ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, CommissionerPresent Mollie Miller, CommissionerAbsent Candace Okeson, CommissionerPresent Ann Palzer, ChairPresent Ted Redmond, CommissionerPresent Ryan Ries, Vice ChairPresent Tom Sinn, CommissionerPresent Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Sinnmoved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerRies.Ayes – All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES CommissionerRedmondmoved to approve the November 20, 2017, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerRies.Ayes – Chair Palzer, Commissioners Buttleman, Redmond, Ries & Sinn Abstention – Commissioner Okeson The motion passed. 5.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS a.Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Urban Agriculture Zoning Review and answered questions ofthe commission. 1 December 18, 2017 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes Proposed Community GardenChanges: Community gardens that are one acre in size or under are allowedas a permitted use in any zoning district with City staff site plan approval.Community gardens over one acre allow as a conditional use permit in any zoning district. ENR Commission Changes: Allow sales for up to 30 days per year, per site plan approval. Proposed Front Yard Gardening Changes: Add a definition for home garden. Add home garden as a permitted use in residential zoning districts. Amend maintenance codes to distinguishbetween grass and nonnative turfgrass.Require a five-foot mowed buffer for native plantings. ENR Commission Changes: Only require a five-foot mowed buffer for native plantings when a residential property is adjacent other residential properties with manicured lawns. Proposed Urban Farms: Add a definition for urban farm. Allow in all Parks if permitted in the comprehensive plan. Allow in all other zoning districts with a conditional use permit. ENR Commission Changes: No comments. Proposed Direct to Consumer Sales: Add a definition for direct to consumer sales. Allow temporary direct to consumer sales in all commercial zoning districtsfor up to six months pursuant to licensing and permitting requirements. ENR Commission Changes: No comments. CommissionerSinnmoved toapprove the proposed Crop Agriculture and Direct to Consumer Sales ordinance amendments as discussed at the ENR Meeting. Seconded by CommissionerOkeson.Ayes –All The motion passed. City staff stated that the entire urban agriculture zoning amendments will now go to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council. 6.NEW BUSINESS a.2017Sustainability Annual Report i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall gave a brief reporton the 2017 Sustainability Annual Report and answered questions of the board. Updating the public on the City’s sustainability initiatives is a requirement of the GreenStep Cities program. Staff presented a draftof the 2017Sustainability Annual Report. The report will be included in an overall document that includes annual reports from a majority of the commissions and the Environmental and Economic Development Department. The report will be distributed atthe State of the City lunch and will be formally presented to the City Council in February. Commissioner Riesmoved toapprove the 2017 Sustainability Annual Reportwith amendments. 2 December 18, 2017 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes Seconded by CommissionerRedmond.Ayes –All The motion passed. 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Reschedule January and February Environmental Commission Meetings (New Dates – Thursday, January 25, 2018 and Tuesday, February 27, 2018).These two meetings were rescheduled due to national holidays. b.2018 Chair and Vice Chair Positions.Voting will take place at the January 25, 2018 ENR meetingfor a new chair and vice chair. c.Nature Center Programs i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249- 2170. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chair Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8p.m. 3 December 18, 2017 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes ENR Meeting Agenda Item 5.a. MEMORANDUM TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner DATE: January, 201for theJanuary 25ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: Election of Chair and Vice Chair The Environmental andNaturalResources(ENR)Commissionordinance requires thatthe Commission elect a chair and vice-chair to run the meetingseach year.In 201the ENR Commissionelected Commissionertobethechair and Commissionerto bethe vice-chair.During theJanuary25ENRCommission meeting theCommission should appointa chairand vice-chair for201,and vote onthose appointees. ENR Meeting Agenda Item 5.b. MEMORANDUM TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM:Shann Finwall,AICP,Environmental Planner January18, 2018 DATE: SUBJECT:Approval of a Wetland Buffer Variance for a New House at 832 McKnight Road South Introduction John and Sheila Mohr are proposing to sell their vacant lot at 832 McKnight Road South to Louis Knippenberg. Mr. Knippenbergproposes to construct a new single family house on the lot. There is a Manage A wetland located on the north side of the lot. The City’s wetland ordinance requires a 100-foot average, and 75-foot minimum wetland buffer be maintained around a Manage A wetland. No building, mowing, or grading is allowed within the buffer. Mr. Knippenberg’s house will be constructed to within eight feet of the wetland edge, requiring a wetland buffer variance. Request The applicants are requesting a 67-foot wetland buffer variance to construct a single family house to within 8 feet of a Manage A wetland. Background Mr. and Mrs. Mohr previouslylived at 2315 Timber Trail and owned two vacant lots to the west of their propertyfronting McKnight RoadSouth. In 2015 the applicants were preparing to sell their single family house and requested a minor subdivision from the City in order to do the following: 1) Combine a 20-foot strip of land from the vacant parcels with 2315 Timber Trail. This was requestedto ensure the fenced-in yard was maintained wholly on the property; and 2) Combine the two vacant lots fronting McKnight Road South. This was requested to ensure development of the vacant lot could maintain the required wetland buffer from the Manage B wetlandlocated on the south side of the lot.Refer to the 2015 lot division survey attached. In 2017 the vacant lot was placed on the market. While touring the lot Mr. Knippenberg discovered that there was a second wetland located on the north side of the property. This wetland was not identified on the City or Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District wetland maps. The applicants had the wetland delineated and the watershed district classified the wetland as a Manage A wetland. Mr. Knippenberghas a purchase agreement to buy the lot pending approval of the wetland variancefor the construction of a single family house. Discussion Manage B Wetland There is a Manage B wetland located on the south side of the lot. There is a drainage and utility easement located around the wetland, ensuring no development within the wetland buffer. Development of the single family house will not encroach into the drainage and utility easement on the south side of the lot. ManageA Wetland There is a Manage A wetland located on the north side of the lot. The City’s wetland ordinance requires a 100-foot average, and 75-foot minimum wetland buffer be maintained around a Manage A wetland. No building, mowing, or grading is allowed within the buffer. The wetland delineation reflects that the wetland is long and narrow, extending down the center of the vacant lot. There is approximately 70 feet of land between the Manage A wetland on the north side of the lot and the drainage and utility easement on the south side of the lot. The required 100-foot average and 75-foot minimum wetland buffers were drawn on the attached survey, reflecting no buildable area on the lot without a wetland buffer variance. Single Family House The grading for Mr. Knippenberg’s house will come to within eight feet of the wetland edge, and the house will come to within 29 feet of the wetland edge. The grading will take place around approximately 17 lineal feet of the wetland, with the required 100-foot average buffer being maintained around the remaining portions ofthe wetland. City code prohibits building, mowing, and grading within the wetland buffer. As such, the proposed development requires a 67 foot wetland buffer variance because the grading will come within eight feet of the wetland (75-foot minimum wetland buffer –8 foot grading setback to the wetland = 67 foot wetland buffer variance). To ensure development of the lot is possible, Mr. Knippenberghas submitted a soil boring report and a drainage and grading planfor the single family house. These items have been reviewed by the City’s building and engineering departments. Department Comments Building Department:Jason Brash, Building Official, has reviewed the soil boringreportand states that no soil corrections will be needed to construct a single family house on the lot. Engineering Department: Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer, submitted the attached engineering review plan dated January 9, 2018. In summary,Mr. Jarosch states that plans and permits shall be obtained for any future improvements to the lot. The site grading shall accommodate the potential emergency overflow of the wetlands per the City’s stormwater standards. Maplewood Wetland Ordinance The City’s wetland ordinance states that the City may require that the applicant mitigate impacts to a wetland when approving a variance. Mitigation can include: 1.Reducing or avoiding the impact by limiting the degree or amount of the action, such as by using appropriate technology. 2.Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the buffer. 3.Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by prevention and maintenance operations during the life of the actions. 2 4.Compensating forthe impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute buffer land at a two-to-one ratio. 5.Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures. 6.Where the city requires restoration or replacement of a buffer, the owner or contractor shall replant the buffer with native vegetation. A restoration plan must be approved by the City before planting. 7.Any additional conditions required by the applicable watershed district and/or the soil and water conservation district shall apply. 8.A wetland or buffer mitigation surety, such as a cash deposit or letter of credit, of 150 percentof estimated cost for mitigation. The surety will be required based on the size of the project as deemed necessary by the administrator. Funds will beheld by the city until successful completion of restoration as determined by the city after a final inspection. Wetland or buffer mitigation surety does not include other sureties required pursuant to any other provision of city ordinance or city directive. Mitigation Strategies Based on the findings above, staff recommends mitigation strategies for the development of the lot as follows: 1.Wetland Buffer Restoration: Restore the areas disturbed by grading with native plants. The area to be restored includes the portions of the wetland buffer located north of the 945-foot elevation to the wetland edge. The native planting plan shall be approved by City staff. 2.Wetland Buffer Signs:Install the City of Maplewood wetland buffer signs along the edge of the wetland buffer. The signs indicate that no building, grading, mowing, or cutting is permitted within the buffer. The number and location of wetland buffer signs to be approved by City staff. 3.Wetland Buffer Mitigation Surety: Submit a cash escrow or letter of credit to cover 150 percent of estimated cost for mitigation. State Law State law requires that variances shall only be permitted when they are found to be: 1.In harmony with the general purposes and intent of the official control; 2.Consistent with the comprehensive plan; 3.When there are practical difficulties in complying with the official control. “Practical difficulties” means that the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by an official control. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner and the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. 3 City staff finds that the construction of a single family house on the vacant lot at 832 McKnight Road South is in harmony with the City’s zoning code and comprehensive plan. The location of the two wetlands on the vacant lot creates a unique circumstance which was not created by the landowner. The proposed wetland buffer variance will not alter the character of the neighborhood. Wetland buffer mitigation strategies will ensure minimal impacts to the wetland. Commission Review January 16, 2018: The Planning Commission held a public hearing to review, take comments, and make a recommendation on the wetland buffer variance.No public comment was received. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the wetland buffer variance. January 25, 2018: The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission will review and make a recommendation on the wetland buffer variance. Budget Impact None Recommendation Approvethe attached resolution authorizing a 67-foot wetland buffer variance for 832 McKnight Road South for the construction of a new single family house.Approval is based on the following reasons: 1.Strict enforcement of the ordinance would cause the applicant practical difficulties because complying with the wetland buffer requirement stipulated by the ordinance would prohibit the building of any permanent structures, substantially diminishing the potential of this lot. 2.Approval of the wetland buffer variance willinclude mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts to the wetland. These include restoration of the disturbed portions of the wetland buffer and the installation of wetland buffer signs. 3.Approval would meet the spirit and intent of the ordinance with the construction of a new single family house on a vacant lot that is zoned and guided in the City’s comprehensive plan as residential. Approval of the wetland buffer variance shall be subject to the following: 1.Prior to issuance of a grading permit for the new single family house the applicantsmust submit: a.A tree plan which shows the location, size, and species of all significant trees located on the lot, and the trees that will be removed with the construction of the new single family house.Removal of significant trees with the construction of the single family house must comply with the City’s tree preservation ordinance and tree replacement requirements. b.A wetland buffer restoration plan to be approved by City staff. The restoration plan will reflect native plantings in the areas disturbed by grading that is located north of the 945-foot elevation to the wetland edge. 4 Attachment 1 Narrative Narrative Narrative Attachment 3 Survey Attachment 4 Gradingto within8'of wetlandedge -approx17 linealftalong wetland 100-footaverage 100-footaverage wetlandbuffer wetlandbuffer maintainedpast maintainedpast thispoint thispoint Buffer 5 Attachment Elevations Elevations Elevations Elevations Attachment Engineering Plan Review PROJECT: 832McKnight Road South – Wetland Variance Request PROJECT NO: 18-02 COMMENTS BY: Jon Jarosch, P.E. – Staff Engineer DATE:1/9/2018 PLAN SET:Grading and Drainage Plan The applicant is requesting a wetland buffer variance in order to accommodate a future single family home and associated grading. Thisreview covers the wetland buffer variance requestonly and does not consist of a final review for any future development of the proposed lot. Further plans and construction documents will need to be submitted for review prior to any future development. The following are engineering review comments and act as conditions prior to a wetland buffer variance approval: 1)The applicant has worked closely with the engineering department prior to submittal of a variance request to ensure that future development of the lot will not adversely affect the existing drainage patterns and will accommodate any potential overflow of the wetlands during larger storm events. 2)Plans shall be submitted and permits shall be obtained for any future improvements (e.g., utility work, site grading, etc.) to the lot(s).The site grading shall accommodate the potential emergency overflow of the wetlands per the City’s stormwater standards. - END COMMENTS - Engineering Plan Review Attachment 7 VARIANCE RESOLUTION WHEREAS, John and Sheila Mohr applied for a variance from the wetland ordinance. WHEREAS, this variance applies to the property located at 832 McKnight Road South, Maplewood, MN. The property identification number is 13-28-22-22-0089. The legal nd description is the W 107 feet of Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, Chesterwood 2Addition, Ramsey County, Minnesota. WHEREAS, Section 12-310 of the City’s ordinances (Wetlands and Streams) requires a wetland buffer of 75 feet minimumand 100 feet average adjacent to Manage A wetlands. WHEREAS, the applicants are proposing to construct a single family house and grading for the house to within 8feet of a Manage A wetland, requiring a 67-foot wetland buffer variance. WHEREAS, the history of this variance is as follows: 1.On January 16, 2018, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review this proposal. City staff published a notice in the paper and sent notices to the surrounding property owners as required by law. The Planning Commission gave everyone at the hearing a chance to speak and present written statements. The Planning Commission recommended ___________of the wetland buffer variance to the City Council. 2.On January 25, 2018, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission reviewed the variance and recommended ___________ of the wetland buffer variance to the Planning Commission and City Council. 3.The City Council held a public meeting on February 12, 2018, to review this proposal. The City Council considered the report and recommendations of the city staff, the Planning Commission, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approved the above- described variance based on the followingreasons: 1.Strict enforcement of the ordinance would cause the applicant practical difficulties because complying with the wetland buffer requirement stipulated by the ordinance would prohibit the building of any permanent structures, substantially diminishing the potential of this lot. 2.Approval of the wetland buffer variance will include mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts to the wetland. These include restoration of the disturbed portions of the wetland buffer and the installation of wetland buffer signs. 3.Approval would meet the spirit and intent of the ordinance with the construction of a new single family house on a vacant lot that is zoned and guided in the City’s comprehensive plan as residential. Approval of the wetland buffer variance shall be subject to the following: 1.Prior to issuance of a grading permit for the new single family house the applicants must submit: a.A tree plan which shows the location, size, and species of all significant trees located on the lot, and the trees that will be removed with the construction of the new single family house. Removal of significant trees with the construction of the single family house must comply with the City’s tree preservation ordinance and tree replacement requirements. b.A wetland buffer restoration plan to be approved by City staff. The restoration plan will reflect native plantings in the areas disturbed by grading that is located north of the 945-foot elevation to the wetland edge. c.A wetland buffer sign plan to be approved by City staff. The number and location of wetland buffer signs to be installed along the edge of the wetland buffer. The signs indicate that no building, grading, mowing, or cutting is permitted within the buffer. d.Wetland Buffer Mitigation Surety: Submit a cash escrow or letter of credit to cover 150 percent of estimated cost of the wetland buffer mitigation and wetland signs. 2.Prior to release of the wetland buffer mitigation surety, the wetland buffer native plantings must be established and the wetland buffer signs must be installed. The Maplewood City Council __________this resolution on February 12, 2018. ENR Meeting Agenda Item MEMORANDUM TO:The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM:DuWayne Konewko, Environmental & Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Director Audra Robbins, Parks & Recreation Manager DATE:January 25, 2018 SUBJECT:Wakefield Park Community Building Introduction Staff held ajoint work session on October 17, 2017, with the Community Design Review Board (CDRB),the Planningand ParksCommissionsand members of City Council. The purpose of the joint work session was toreceivefeedbackon the Wakefield Park Improvement Plans that were presented at the September 11, 2017, City Council meeting. The main focus ofthe discussion centered on the designelementsof the community building. Based on thisfeedbackand per Council’s request,staff asked the CDRBtoreview the proposed Wakefield Community Building design along with analternativecolor scheme at their December 19, 2017,meeting.The CDRB ultimatelychose the design scheme that will be presented heretonightby our Kimley-Horn Consultantsand recommended moving forward with it in the continuation of the final design process. The selection was supported by CityCouncilat their January 8, 2018,workshopand the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 17, 2018. Discussion The feedback from the Joint Commissionconcerningthe initial building design focused on the materials and colors represented and the building’s overall form that incorporates flat roofs and a maingable roof over the gathering space. The community building’s overall size of 3,300 SF andthe floor plan configuration havenot changed significantly since the Joint Commission meeting on October 17, 2017. In regards to theinitial comments made by the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commissionat their May 15, 2017,meeting, the projectcontinues to utilize pretreating of stormwater through infiltration basins and rain gardens. Special turf grass will be planted in disturbed areas that requireless herbicide and water and less overall mowing thus conserving energy and labor. The buildingis being designed to be solar ready both structurally and electricallyand the project will continueto implement the requirements of the 2012 Green Construction Code (IgCC) for bothbuilding and site improvements. Budget Impact None Recommendation Staff recommends theENR Commissionapprove the plans for the Wakefield ParkCommunity Building. Attachments 1.Wakefield Park ImprovementsPresentation