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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-24 ENR Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2008 COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Yingling called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Chair Commissioner Carole Lynne Commissioner Carol Mason Sherrill Commissioner Frederica Musgrave Commissioner Bill Schreiner Commissioner Dale Trippler Present Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner and Ginny Gaynor, Open Space Naturalist III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Musgrave would like to discuss what Home Depot is doing with recycling of CFL bulbs. Commissioner Trippler made a request to add to commission presentations a suggestion on Tyvek envelopes. Commissioner Trippler made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Carol Mason Sherrill. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to O. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. May 20, 2008 Commissioner Musgrave stated that she has several issues to discuss concerning the minutes. Commissioner Trippler made a motion to table the minutes in order to review Commissioner Musgrave's comments during the next meeting, seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. The motion passed by a vote of 6 to O. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Wetland Ordinance Planner Finwall discussed the staff report and discussed several issues to include: 1. If a yard is maintained as turf grass adjacent to a wetland and the ordinance is adopted with increased buffers can a resident still maintain this area as turf grass? Also, what other activities can take place within this area of the buffer? There is a need to clarify temporary and permanent structures in the definitions as well as added uses. 2. The edges of Wakefield Lake are currently classified as a Class 4. The watershed districts new classification would upgrade the wetland to a Manage B. The proposed wetland ordinance would require a 75 foot buffer from a Manage B wetland. Wakefield Lake is also 2 located within the shoreland overlay district. So there is also a 50-foot building setback from the ordinary high water mark of Wakefield Lake within this district. 3. The City of Maplewood had four manufactured homes that are adjacent wetland buffers. The way the current wetland ordinance is written, the removal and replacement of one of these manufactured homes within a required buffer would require a variance. COMMENTS AND CONCERNS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ORDINANCE: 1. Sharon Sandeen, 1748 Gulden Place, Maplewood: Her main concern relates to Ms. Sandeen's opinion that Maplewood as a city does not have the authority to regulate the edges of Wakefield Lake as wetland when the lake is defined as a public water. Also, Ms. Sandeen recommends that the ENR commission review language in the ordinance to ensure less ambiguity and allow for more active uses within buffer zones. 2. Steve Bryan, 1752 Gulden Place, Maplewood: He has concerns with water quality and current management practices of Wakefield Lake. 3. Linda Bryan, 1752 Gulden Place, Maplewood: She has concerns with water quality and current management practices of Wakefield Lake. 4. Tom Devnick, Attorney representing Gary Pearson, manager of the Beaver Lake Manufactured Home Park: Proposed language in the nonconforming portion of the wetland ordinance to allow manufactured homes to be removed and replaced if located within a buffer without a variance (Attachment 6). 5. Ralph Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street North, Maplewood: Has concerns with the wetland located to the north of his property. He claims wetland was manmade and any impacts the proposed wetland ordinance might have on his property would not be valid. 6. Veronica Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street North, Maplewood: Concerns with the wetland located to the north of her property. 7. Steve Lukin, 1661 County Road C East, Maplewood: Has concerns regarding the nonconforming portion of the existing and proposed ordinance, which would require him to obtain a variance from the city to rebuild his house within a wetland buffer. 8. Elizabeth Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street North, Maplewood: Concerns with the wetland located to the north of her property. 9. Jean Strait, 1706 Barclay Street North, Maplewood: Concerns with the water quality and current management practices of Wakefield Lake. 10. Richard Charpeneau, 1751 E. Cope Avenue - Vacant Property Owner: Concerns with upgraded classification of wetland on his vacant property and a 75-foot buffer which may cause the property to be unbuildable. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC INPUT The commissioners thanked the public for their input. Planner Finwall commented that many of these concerns can be addressed at the July 15 meeting. Chair Yingling commented that this ordinance will continue to be revised with improvements in language. She also mentioned that the goal is to find a balanced approach. She stated that the Commission appreciates the input the public provided. Chair Yingling made a motion to table further wetland ordinance discussion to the July 15 meeting, Carol Mason Sherrill seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 5-1, with Commission Trippler voting against the motion. 3 b. Comprehensive Plan - Sustainability Chapter Planner Finwall asked for Commissioner comments on the draft plan: Commissioner Trippler had a question on page 3, 5th bullet down - why is "boulevard" crossed out from the tree goal? Commissioner Mason Sherrill commented that boulevards are not the best place to plant trees so the goal should just specified trees, not boulevard trees. She feels the sentence stating "new subdivisions are required to plant boulevard trees" should have been revised to also say just "trees." Commissioner Trippler is wondering what does "development review" mean in next bullet down? Planner Finwall responded that it is referring to the review of developments through the land use review process. We could clarify the language by stating 'land use permits." Commissioner Musgrave is concerned that regarding the development reviews the city uses consultants to review these. She said it seems like a loophole for approvals to spend money. Naturalist Gaynor briefly reviewed the land use development process saying that when these applications are submitted staff reviews them and brings them through the process. There are some occasion were a consultant is hired to look at the plan but in general staff, Commissioners, and the City Council review it. Commissioner Musgrave suggested a change to endorse the use of alternative modes of transportation when reviewing developments rather than through the development review process. Chair Yingling suggested that the language should read "use the existing development review process to actively promote the use of alternative modes of transportation." Planner Finwall will also add pedestrian as a mode of transportation. Commissioner Musgrave commented that she does not see a reference to trails. Chair Yingling suggested on item number 6, page 2 under goals, she feels we should not be providing transportation just for citizens without cars but instead it should just state provide transportation "for citizens by promoting and integrated transportation system that is accessible, safe efficient... etc." This language will promote the reduction of air pollution and connection of pedestrian and bike trails. Commissioner Musgrave recommended that the word citizens be changed to public. Commissioner Lynne referred to a concern regarding garbage collection; the damage from multiple haulers is as heavy as the buses that are on White Bear Avenue. Where should this be addressed? Naturalist Gaynor responded that people have a strong feeling about being able to choose their own trash haulers. It could be in the chapter as encouraging practices that help reduce pollution in our neighborhoods and wear on our roads. 4 Commissioner Musgrave commented on 7, a statement could be added such as "promote low- impact environmentally sensitive practices by business and residents or the public." This could be done through education and survey of public. Planner Finwall stated the intent of the goal is to ensure there are not so many trash hauling trucks traveling down the same road which pollutes the air and puts wear on the roads. Commissioner Musgrave commented that she doesn't see any reference to agriculture, people growing their own crops, or encouraging smaller businesses. She stated that at one time there was discussion regarding setting aside land in Maplewood for people to do their own farming. Naturalist Gaynor responded that the city has looked into having a community garden and finding an area that works. This issue is addressed in the overall comprehensive plan. Commissioner Mason Sherrill would like to see something on education and encouragement of homeowners that states we need space to rent for vegetable gardening. Commissioner Musgrave would like to encourage sustainable farming and community gardens. Chair Yingling commented on sustainability. We are missing the notion of studying and developing reports or proposals to the city and coming up with priorities for things that need to be done. Is there more of a comprehensive approach to look at the kinds of opportunities and developing programs like St. Paul has done to become a sustainable city? She recommended that someone work with staff to look for opportunities for community gardens. Planner Finwall commented that in this chapter under education there is an annual report to the city council where the commission can find an opportunity to report on areas of need. Commissioner Mason Sherrill suggested adding the following: "provide educational opportunities to increase citizen's awareness of the value of sustainable practices or best management practices from a health and economic standpoint." Perhaps the gardens could fall under this area. Also can these bullets be placed in chronological order or placed according to value? Commissioner Musgrave suggested the need to put something about identifying visions. Chair Yingling mentioned that a goal is to promote local production and consumption of locally produced goods and produce. We want the communities to become more self sustaining. Commissioner Musgrave suggested that there could be something here on addressing health issues by using the parks. Commissioner Mason Sherrill suggested that under education and partnerships she would like to add "city council and community." Also regarding the tree section - where it says to create ordinances, we should change "create to update." There is nothing in there about Tree City USA; she is concerned that we are not fulfilling the requirements of this. Naturalist Gaynor said that if we have strong goals then maybe our work becomes setting objectives. Commissioner Mason Sherrill is concerned about Emerald Ash Borer and stated that we need to be proactive. 5 Chair Yingling suggested that under education and partnerships there is something on encouraging individual and residential composting. Chair Yingling had a question on page four, the second bullet; she wondered why we went from using bio diesel to alternative fuels. Planner Finwall responded that there were concerns about the energy needed to create bio- diesel fuel. Chair Yingling stated that her concern was opening it up to alternative fuels which people could interpret as ethanol. She would like it to read something like environmentally sustainable alternative fuels. She would also like to add that we encourage transit bike and walking for employees. Metro Transit does a nice job of working with employees. Commissioner Musgrave has the following concerns: 1. Page 2, educational partnerships. She is wondering if it is necessary to create so many newsletters and brochures and asked if there is a way to keep the cost down. 2. The section 'Work with Other Government Units" only refers to noise and doesn't mention pollution. She would like to see a mention of air and water pollution along with noise pollution. 3. Page 4 City budget - she feels the content is too general. Commissioner Schreiner commented on the content under educational partnerships. He suggested that under supply developers it should be changed to "educate developers and business owners on sustainable building and operational practices." Commissioner Lynne wondered if it is possible to become paperless in some areas. Could that be a goal? Chair Yingling made a motion to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan chapter, seconded by Dale Trippler. The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the motion because she would prefer having staff make the suggested changes and then bring it back before the commission once again for approval. VIII. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Commissioner Musgrave commented on CFL bulb recycling: She read an article regarding compact florescent light bulbs which indicated that Home Depot is starting free recycling for these light bulbs. b. Commissioner Trippler commented on recycling Tyvek envelopes: He stated that for years the pollution control agency has been recycling their Tyvek envelopes. Tyvek is a practically indestructible material, and he stated it seems wasteful that we are getting our material in these envelopes and throwing them away. We could recommend and encourage city council and all the other committees to save their envelopes and leave them here before the commissioners leave and the envelopes could go back to the secretaries to be reused. 6 IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Planner Finwall commented on New Member Orientation and welcomed Bill Schreiner b. U of MN College of Natural Resources Environmental Capstone Project Update: Planner Finwall stated that a group of undergraduate students from the U of M will be working on a project called Sustainable Maplewood beginning in September. Future updates and presentations will be brought to the ENR Commission for review. c. Newsletter Updates (Maplewood Seasons and City News): Each commission is being asked to write an article for the city news. The ENR's article is scheduled for December. d. Maplewood Nature Center Programs: Planner Finwall discussed upcoming events at the nature center. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:40