HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-30 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2022
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairperson Bryan called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources
Commission to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Emma Broadnax, Commissioner Absent
Rebecca Bryan, Acting Chairperson Present
Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present
Mollie Miller, Commissioner Absent
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Elizabeth Hammond, Planner
Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the November 30, 2022, Environmental and
Natural Resources Commission agenda.
Seconded by Commissioner Guell Ayes All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. October 25, 2022 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
The October 25, 2022, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
minutes were tabled to the next Commission meeting.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Wetland Buffer Variance, Enclave Apartments, 3090 Southlawn Drive
design review;
stormwater management; and Environmental Planner Finwall presented the
buffer variance findings.
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Shari Ahrens, Senior Project Engineer with Westwood and Patrick Brama,
Developer with Enclave answered questions of the Commission.
The Commission had the following questions, comments, and recommendations:
Where does the stormwater runoff go once it leaves the site? Assistant
City Engineer stated the runoff flows to the northwest to Willow Lake in
Vadnais Heights.
What is the timeline for the future road? Planner Hammond explained
that is uncertain. One-half of the right-of-way will be dedicated with the
development of the Enclave apartments. The other one-half of the right-
of-way would be dedicated with future redevelopment of the Becker
Furniture site to the east.
Will the mesic prairie mix hold up to fluctuations in the water level?
Senior Project Engineer Ahrens explained the only area of the wetland
buffer that will have fluctuating water is near the basin. Plugs are
proposed in that area.
The wetland buffer mitigation is an improvement to the existing buffer.
The applicants should try to plant more trees on the site.
The public will likely ride bikes on the trail, and may cut through from
Southlawn Drive to the Becker Furniture site. For that reason, the
applicants should consider extending the sidewalk on the east side of the
site up to
Commissioner Redmond made a motion to recommend approval of the wetland
buffer variance.
Seconded by Commissioner Guell Ayes - All
The motion passed.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
None
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Environmental Planner Finwall updated the Commission on the following:
a. Reschedule the January, February, and March ENR Commission Meetings Due
to Holidays and Spring Break.
Environmental Planner indicated she would e-mail the Commissioners with
suggested dates for the January/February/March 2023 meetings. Additionally,
she would offer suggestions for moving the Commission meetings permanently
to an alternative day of the month so they do not overlap with holidays.
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10. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Guell made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond Ayes All
The motion passed.
Acting Chair Bryan adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
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