HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-04 ENR Minutes
MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
September 4, 2007
Members Present
Jim Beardsley, Chair
Carole Lynne
Frederica Musgrave
Ginny Yingling
Members Absent
Margaret Behrens
Carol Mason-Sherrill
Staff Present
Du Wayne Konewko
Shann Finwall
Ann Hutchinson
Ginny Gaynor
Welcome/Introductions/housekeeping items/Handouts-Requests
Agenda approved
Approved Minutes from the August 21, 2007 meeting
Comments from Staff:
. Ann Hutchinson discussed the importance of removing Buckthorn in the City of
Maplewood and announced a Buckthorn removal event in Maplewood neighborhoods
and city parks. Ann also mentioned The Global Warming Seminar that is coming up
in October referred anyone interested to call the nature center at 249-2170 regarding
this free event.
. Ginny Gaynor mentioned the Priory Reserve bowhunt.
. Tom Moibi will be resigning from the Environmental Natural Resources Commission
and if interested Maplewood residents may apply.
Unfmished business:
The Wetlands Ordinance will be discussed later in the evening in Conference Room A.
New Business
. Fall Cleanup is scheduled for October 20 from 8:00 a.ill. to 12 Noon at Gethsemane
Church. More information to follow at the October meeting.
. Frederica Musgrave proposed that the Commission come up with an environmental
and natural resources plan. Staff will prepare a report and set up a meeting to discuss
this proposal in October or November.
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Wetland Ordinance
1. Decisions were made on the following items:
A. Streams
. Suggestion on wording on the Ordinance under Findings and Purpose,
section C, subpart 5, subpart J... it was requested that streams be added to
the sentence.
. Streams shall be considered class A.
B. Trails
Changes to the language of the Ordinance include:
. Item (h) should be first item. Trail plan design must be approved by staff.
. (A) should now read... "The trail shall be of pervious materials. An elevated
boardwalk shall not be considered an impervious surface.
. (B) the words "where possible" were removed, making the sentence read...
Buffers shall be expanded equal to width ofthe trail corridor.
. (C) staff will replace the word "immediately" with different more effective
language.
. (E) a definition is needed for the wording "sustainable design" and the
wording has been changed to read... "Trail must be constructed with
sustainable design methods and materials".
. (F) the following has been added: Boardwalks on public land shall be
maximum of 12' wide. Boardwalks on private land shall be a maximum of
6'wide.
. (G) Trails or boardwalks shall not be constructed entirely around the wetland.
Clearer wording needs to be implemented.
The following have been added to trail section:
. (I) Re-vegetation plan shall be approved by staff
. (1) Trail shall not be permitted in areas with rare or endangered plants or
animals.
. (K) Trails shall be a minimum of25 feet from the wetland edge.
Discussion of trails in buffer on public vs. private land:
. Trails in the buffer shall be permitted on public land and semi-public land, in
accordance with above. On private property trails shall not be allowed in the
buffer.
. A trail on semi-public land would occur when a trail on private land connects
to a public street or access and the private landowner agrees to allow their trail
to be open to the public, Or, it trail on semi-public land could be a trail put in
by a developer primarily for use by people in a subdivision.
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2. Discussion on averaging
Staff commented that ifthe setbacks can be averaged and the buffer improved it is
sometimes more beneficial and would allow the developer to develop the area without
needing a variance. If averaging is not allowed then there may be an increase in variances
requested.
The commission stated that we need to build some provisions into the ordinance
that state clearly when we would allow averaging and put some strict criteria including
some demonstration of monetary or hardship. There needs to be something back to the
city for example an increase to the buffer width somewhere else or a fee for penalty to
mitigate a wetland somewhere else.
Additional discussion of averaging ensued and will be continued at the next
meeting.
If averaging permitted for Classes A, B, C, the chart below shows minimums.
Wetland Classes
A+ A B C Utility
Proposed Minimum 200' 100' 75' 50' 10'
If we allow averaging No 75' 50' 50' No average
what's the minimum? average
Existing ordinance Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5
average
Average 100' 100' 50' 25' 0
1 Minimum
1100'
1 50'
1 25'
120'
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Members requested a copy ofthe Eden Prairie Ordinance. Staff will send the
ordinance to Commissioners.
3. Discussion on Variances and exemptions
The difference between an exemption and a variance was discussed which led into a
discussion on the General Exemptions section in the ordinance. It was decided that
this section needs to be reworded for clarification.
Next meetin!!:
Tuesday, October 2nd at 4:45p.m - 6:45p.m. in the council chambers.
Meetin!! Adiourned
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