HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-02 ENR Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
5:15 p.m.
Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road BEast
1 , Call to Order
2, Roll Call
3, Approval of Agenda
4, Approval of Minutes:
a, February 18, 2009
b, May 5, 2009
5, New Business
a, Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway Ad-Hoc Commission
6, Unfinished Business
a, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Dates
b, Wind Turbine Ordinance (to be continued in July)
c, Environmental Protection Ordinance (to be continued in July)
7, Visitor Presentations
8, Commission Presentations
a, Subcommittee Reports
1) Stormwater
2) Greenways
3) Trash Hauling
9, Staff Presentations
a, Wetland Ordinance Update
b, Emerald Ash Borer Update
c, Community Development and Parks Department Bus Tour (Wed" July 1)
e, Reschedule July 7 ENR Meeting Due to Fourth of July Holiday (Proposed Date
July 21)
f. Reschedule August 4 ENR Meeting Due to National Night Out (Proposed Date
August 18)
g, Taste of Maplewood (August 13)
h, Nature Center Programs
10, Adjourn
Agenda Item 4,a,
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENIVRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
February 18, 2009 (Continuation of February 3, 2009 meeting)
5:15 p,m,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mason Sherrill indicated five out of seven
quorum,
present, so there was
2, ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present
Chair Carol Mason Sherrill
Commissioner Judith Johannessen
Commissioner Frederica Musgrave (arrived
Commissioner Bill
Commissioner Dale Trippler
Commissioner Ginny Yingling
DuWayne
and Parks Director
Planner
Juenemann
3.
The a continuation of the February 3, 2009 meeting, The agenda had been
approved on February 3, Chair Mason Sherrill stated the Environmental Protection Ordinance
will be on the agenda for March 2009, Agenda items 4 and 5 were covered in the previous
meeting on February 3,
4, APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5, NEW BUSINESS
6, UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1
a, PROPOSED STOP GAP ORDINANCE (SOUTH MAPLEWOOD)
Jennifer Haskamp provided an update on the Stop Gap Ordinance for south
Maplewood, The Conservation Ordinance (R1 R) moved forward to the City Council
on February 9, 2009, The Council discussed the "draft" ordinance at that meeting,
She said there were several recommendations made which will be discussed at the
second reading at the February City Council meeting, Ms, Haskamp had made
changes to the document; the major change being in the "Slope Buffer Preservation"
section, She said staff is cross-referencing this with the existing slope ordinance,
which is being updated, Ms, Haskamp has divided the conservation principals into
two groups, The first was Natural Resources characteri~ti9s, and the second was
Design characteristics, She stated when developer~.~i~for a project they must have
natural and design characteristics in their plans,?g~J<3lso changed the reference to
City Council as the "approval body", and the99m!J1is~i8Ds as "recommending bodies",
Commissioner Trippler's recommendatioD~ w~re includeq:jpthe document There
were some properties that would be r~;~~n~d from "farm"d!'1~ignation to "R1R" in
south Maplewood, She said they d~~\gD:~ted this area with the.~Btl1e zoning in order
to treat everything equal in raisiD.g09:~pservation principles, When;:m~Comprehensive
Plan is adopted, they will deterrI}lP:~!he best zoping.for south Maple'!{~~~ and then
review all the zoning throughout the.08l!X' AftElr'\Q!'1J!';omprehensive Plan is updated,
the farm designation will cease to exist! .
Ms, Haskamp said on December 8, 2008 the City Council sent their draft of the
Comprehensive Plan for review to the cities that border the community, school
districts, and MNDOT (Minnesota Department ofTransportation), Adjacent
jurisdictions have six months to review the document and return with comments, It is
then sent to the Metropolitan Council for review and sent back to the city with
comments, The City Council then makes changes and recommendations, and
adopts the Plan, It is approximately six months before the formal Comprehensive
Plan is fully adopted, Once this is done, the "clock starts ticking" for getting official
controls updated, Ms, Haskamp felt that new recommendations should be held off
until comments are received from the Metropolitan Council. She said the
commission members received a copy of the Comprehensive Plan and will be able to
determine how other chapters fit in with the new Natural Resources Chapter.
Chair Mason Sherrill stated they would finish their discussion on the Stop Gap
Ordinance and review the draft of the Comprehensive Plan, She was concerned
about residents being apprehensive about the value of their land and additional
taxes,
Dit$ctor Konewko said a representative from Ramsey County will be present to
articulate the tax issue at the next Council meeting and City Council was working with
residents regarding value of their land,
Commissioner T rippler asked for an explanation of what staff expects from the
commission on these items,
Director Konewko said they would appreciate support from the commission and
motions made on the Stop Gap R1 R Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan,
2
Commissioner Trippler made a motion to recommend approval of the R1 R Stop Gap
Ordinance, seconded by Commissioner Yingling, The motion carried by a unanimous
vote,
B, DRAFT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW
Jennifer Haskamp provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan,
Chair Mason Sherrill questioned whether the section on Road Construction under
"Chapter Highlights" should be included in discussing development and
redevelopment
Ms, Haskamp stated this paragraph was not
Chapter; it was part of her summary of the
stronger focus on ecological significance in
development and redevelopment (low
greenways),
Natural Resources
Plan, She said there is a
Chapter, such as
natural area
Commissioner Johannessen
and private property becoming
to public
Ms, Haskamp said
apply to private
with zoning; however it would also
were not pedestrian or bike
encouraging more walking
and
in
it is the goal of the city to develop more sidewalks
stated the commission should send additional
staff, The next step would be sending the document to the Planning
2008
Planner Shann Finwall had included a draft 2008 annual report in the
packet Director Konewko stated that further comments and feedback
sent to Ms, FinwalL
7, NEW BUSINESS
8, VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
9, COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
A. CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURES COMMISSION
Chair Mason Sherrill stated it was an honor to serve as the new Chair of the
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission, She said she wanted the
3
commission to engage one another socially and in business with mutual respect and
order. She distributed an article by the author of Robert's Rules of Order which she
requested everyone read to foster a spirit of camaraderie and purpose within the
commission, She also asked the commissioners to read the commission's mission
statement
B. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Trash Haulinq
Commissioner Trippler said he and Commissioner Lynne met with a city engineer
regarding trash hauling and the impact of having multiple trash haulers in Maplewood,
He said having 8 to 10 haulers comes with a high ,In terms of the impact on the
streets, garbage trucks account for 78 percen erioration, If the city had just
one garbage and one recycling truck, the Iii tancy of a street would increase
greatly, A full street reconstruction ion dollars per mile, resulting in $6,000
per resident Maplewood designs need reconstruction every 35 to 40
years, With 8 to 10 haulers, a need complete reconstruction every 20
years, Commissioner Trippler staff they continue to pursue this
issue,
Director Konewko
worth
and engage the public,
Commissioners
commission meeting,
on the issue at the next
this item to the next meeting, The storm
December 2008 and were not able to meet
said they have established goals and strategies for the
She discussed the strategies and objectives they would be
on, They will discuss processes at the next meeting,
stated there is a workshop on Conservation Easements and
on March 2, 2009, The commission is invited, and asked as
members to attend as possible,
C, LEGAL AND PROTOCOL ISSUES
Commissioner Musgrave said the issues she wanted to bring forward are the minutes
of meetings, Parliamentary Procedure, and the Open Meeting Law, She said she
had taken this to a higher level because these issues had not been resolved, She
said her contributions during commission meetings are either cleansed or purged,
She has legal concerns about subcommittees; she has received legal advice, and the
city attorney's advice is contradictory, She believes subcommittees are in violation of
the Open Meeting Law,
4
10, STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor stated she will share information regarding the
University of Minnesota Urban Tree Management Project at the next meeting, She will give an
update of Nature Center programs in March, The Wetland Ordinance and the Dog Park
Subcommittee will be discussed in March, There will be a guest speaker to talk about the
Wind Turbine Ordinance in March, April and May, 2009,
Commissioner Musgrave said the Maplewood Water Fest and the Taste of Maplewood should
be on the agenda for next meeting,
Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said they have a
commission members to keep them up to date with
that will be distributed to the
11. ADJOURN
Chair Mason Sherrill stated they would
Parks and Recreation Commission,
Commissioner Musgrave made a motion
The motion carried by unanimous vote and
with the
5
Agenda Item 4,b,
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENIVRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
May 5, 2009
5:15 p,m
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mason Sherrill indicated six out of seven
so there was quorum,
2, ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present
Chair Carol Mason Sherrill
Commissioner Judith Johannessen
Commissioner Carole Lynne
Commissioner Frederica at 5:40
Commissioner Bill Schreiner
Commissioner Dale Trippler
Commissioner Ginny Yingling
Staff Present
Shann
Steve
Commission
Yingling asked to give an update on Fish Creek
Trippler made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition,
Lynne, The agenda was approved by a vote of 6 to 0,
"b",
4
February 3, 2009: Commissioner Trippler made a motion to approve the February 3, 2009
minutes, seconded by Commissioner Yingling, The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 0 with
Commissioners Lynne and Schreiner abstaining,
February 18, 2009: There were no February 18, 2009 minutes, They will be available at the June,
2009 meeting,
March 3, 2009: Commissioner Yingling made a motion to approve the March 3, 2009 minutes,
seconded by Commissioner Schreiner. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to 0,
1
April 7, 2009: Commissioner Schreiner made a motion to approve the April 7, 2009, minutes with
corrections (council member Kathleen Juenemann was present at that meeting and a sentence
regarding trash hauling should say "trucks are equal to 1000 car trips", not "treads" and the
sentence that read "Commissioner Trippler asked about the removal of sediment and storm water"
should be changed to '''a commissioner' asked about the removal of sediment and storm water",
Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to 0,
5, NEW BUSINESS - There was none,
6, UNFINISHED BUSINESS - WIND TURBINE ORDINANCE
Felicia Szott presented her research on wind turbines, She is intElmiqgwith Maplewood for three
months through Hamline University, She has been researching::~u~twind energy consists of and
studying wind turbine ordinances in other communities, ShElgqye:(~9~mmendations, listed below,
of how Maplewood can continue with wind turbine exploratign She bEjgqn her program with a
Power Point presentation,
Why permit for Wind?
1 , Citizens have expressed
should have regulations
would follow,
Retain autonomy: Minnesota has
and cities) to implement their
focus on the needs of a particular area,
ordinance, cities and townships follow the
are located in,
Personal benefits to wind energy: Small wind turbine system owners could have
increased property values, personal energy independence, emergency power
back-up, and ability to avoid volatile energy costs,
Public benefits: Reduced pressure on local electricity grids; a diversified energy
portfolio; and institutions, such as hospitals, would have a fall-back energy
source,
Processes/Permits: If a party wishes to install a wind turbine on a commercial or
non-commercial property, these could be processed as a permitted use, a
conditional use, or an overlay district use, A permitted use allows installing a
wind turbine without additional actions once a permit is received, A conditional
use allows municipalities to control how wind turbines are built; and a set of
conditions would need to be met An overlay district is actually creating an area
of the city exclusively for wind turbines,
2,
should be prepared, Maplewood
aware of what processes they
communities (counties, townships,
standards allowing them to
county implements an
as the county they
3,
4,
5,
Ms, Szott then identified key factors Maplewood can study in creating a wind turbine ordinance:
a Distinguish between commercial, non-commercial, and micro wind turbines,
b, Acquire necessary permits for different types of wind turbines,
c, Establish setbacks,
d, Establish safety standards,
e, Establish design standards,
f. Noise standards,
g, Minimize infrastructure impacts,
2
Wind Turbine Issues:
1, Rooftop turbines in urban environments, Where the turbine is actually placed on
the rooftop is important in regard to regulations,
2, Noise: Modern turbines have advanced technologies making the blades more
quiet and efficient
3. Shadow flicker: When sunlight passes through to large-scale turbines and
reflects on the ground,
4, Visual landscape effects: Aesthetic beauty, or lack thereof, of turbines,
5, Fences and attracted nuisance: Unauthorized access of wind turbines, such as
climbing, trespassing in other ways,
6, Birds and bats, icing during the winter months,
7, Electrical signal interference
8, Straight voltage
In summary of her research, Ms, Szott said
researching of standards and processes, creating
implementing the ordinance,
be discussion,
and finally,
for
There were comments, discussion, and
members,
7,
ordinances to the
on rooftop turbines and bat and
Ms, Szott will be distributing a report and the
commission, She said she will
bird populations, and the effects
Commissioner Yingling stated that
answer some of the
in a technical person to
Works Department, was present to talk
stating if there is a one percent
would incline or decline over a hundred feet of
grading and designing parking lots for retail outlets, strip malls,
He had visuals of different kinds of slopes in the Maplewood
Steve
about his
Fish Creek when he was visiting the CoPar land, and said there were
and bluffs in the area, He described how he measures slopes with
talked about walking through the CoPar development, which has as
He said a bluff is defined as a slope draining toward public water.
is considered a bluff,
He discussed engineering properties and characteristics of stable slopes, which are ample
vegetation and grasses, Sandy steep slopes are near water, and steep slopes are used in trench
construction or mining,
Mr. Kummer explained why Maplewood should revise the Slope Ordinance and the importance of
protecting slopes, Erosion and landslides occur, and create a publiC safety issue, Aesthetics and
wildlife are important because erosion of the slopes causes pollution of waters, and the city would
want to maintain the existing drainage patterns as much as possible, There is historical
significance for slopes, and preserving bluffs that are significant is important He referred to the
3
bluffs in Red Wing, which that city has preserved for many years, Most slope ordinances require
some type of stability and analysis, It should be determined how much water is shedding down a
slope, He said that in some areas of Maplewood house rooftops shed down the sides of slopes,
This is something that should be studied, and a few questions he said the city should ask is if
slopes benefit the quality of life for residents and business owners in the city and how; and what
hazards the slopes should be protected from; and to what degree should the slopes be protected,
Planner Finwall said commission members would receive a copy of Mr. Kummer's presentation,
and they would continue discussion at the next meeting, Mr. Kummer suggested that a field trip
would be beneficial to the commissioners, Chair Mason Sherrill said perhaps staff could arrange
this, and they would revisit it
Commissioner Musgrave had several questions about this
displayed, She asked some questions regarding whether
and had a map that she
a bluff or a slope,
8, VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Planner Finwall introduced Annie Bigalke and stated that she and
Ms, Bigalke at a Sustainable Communities Roundtable,
met
Annie Bigalke was present to give a presentation on a group that she and students at Mounds Park
Academy (MPA) have joined called Young Environmental Activists (YEA) of Minnesota, YEA
Minnesota is a group of high school environmental activists, working towards more sustainable
energy in schools and the community, She said it is completely student-led, There are students
across Minnesota involved, It is important to get together to brainstorm, share ideas, and network,
She said there are schools in their group that have wind turbines, MPA is considering the
installation of a wind turbine. They had an energy audit and looked at ways they can save on
energy, They changed lighting, put film over windows, and joined the Energy Challenge online,
Other schools in Minnesota have solar panels, wind turbines, and are doing smaller things like
biking to school, and having a "lights out" day, At MPA they are planning to install a wind turbine,
and they discussed putting solar panels in as well. She said as they did more research, they found
that wind turbines produce more energy and are more cost effective, She said YEA Minnesota is
still developing and growing. They attended a large event in Washington D,C called "Power Shift"
where 12,000 young people and adults came together to talk about energy and the environment
Different environmental leaders from across the country attended, and there were workshops and
speakers, The event closed by meeting at the Capitol with Senator Amy Klobuchar and other
represe.ntatives, There was a large presence of high school students at the Capitol.
She closed by saying it was exciting for her to see what Maplewood is doing for the environment
and thanked Planner Finwall for inviting her.
There were questions and comments from the commissioners,
9, COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Storm Water Subcommittee
Commissioner Schreiner said he was not as far along as he would like to be with his report, He will
be researching the program that is used by the Capital Region Watershed district, continue his
4
research, and look for avenues beyond education of citizens that would be feasible and
inexpensive, and would have an extensive report by the next meeting,
Greenwavs Subcommittee
Chair Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Johannessen, Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor,
Planner Finwall, and Parks Commissioner Carolyn Peterson are on this subcommittee and have
been meeting once a month since January, Their main goal was to develop protective strategies
for the four natural greenways in Maplewood, Chair Mason Sherrill stated that the subcommittee
has completed a draft of the proposed goals and purpose of greenways and will have that available
for the full commission's review in June,
Trash Hauling Subcommittee
Commissioner Lynne and Commissioner Trippler are workin~:9ntQ\~:~~bcommittee, Planner
Finwall gave them a historical folder of trash hauling/haule~:in Maple\,{88~' They inspected the
documents and wrote down thoughts and ideas that be beneficialf~r\Ue commission to
discuss, Commissioner Trippler had an outline and stated if anygne had questions to
contact himself or Commissioner Lynne,
OTHER COMMENTS
Chair Mason Sherrill said that
in the Parks in June,
will be
Recycling's report on Recycling
Chair Mason Sherrill stated the
said they would
a month; and
is
they would like to, and
meetings, or two meetings
10, ADJOURN
5
Agenda Item 5.a
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
Environrnental and Natural Resources Cornrnission
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environrnental Planner and Virginia Gaynor, Natural
Resources Coordinator
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Appointment to the
Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway Commission (ad-hoc)
May 28, 2009 for the June 2 ENR Meeting
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
INTRODUCTION
On May 11, 2009, the city council authorized the formation of an ad-hoc commission to explore land
protection options for Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway (Attachment 1),
DISCUSSION
Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway is vulnerable to development due to the amount of undeveloped
land in private ownership, The city council established the ad-hoc commission to explore funding
options for protecting land in the Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway, The ad-hoc commission will
include the following:
Purpose of Commission
1, Develop recommendations and priorities for protecting natural lands in the Fish Creek Natural
Area Greenway, including:
a, Acquisition of private land;
b, Conservation easements on private lands;
c, Conservation design options for properties that want to develop;
d, Funding options,
2, Identify issues and opportunities for passive recreation in Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway
and develop recommendations for passive recreation that does not degrade the natural
resources in the greenway,
Participants:
1 Park commissioner appointed by the full commission
1 Environment and Natural Resources commissioner appointed by the full commission
1 County staff
1 Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District staff
1 City staff
1 Representative from Friends of Maplewood Nature (must reside in Maplewood)
Consulting experts (ex-officio):
1, Dr. Kim Chapman, Applied Ecological Services
2, Trust for Public Land
3, Minnesota Land Trust
4, National Park Service
5, DNR Metro Greenways
5, Others as needed
Participant Roles
1, A chairperson will be appointed to run the meetings (not city staff),
2, A city staff person will provide administrative support for the group, The city staff person will
also be an active participant in meetings,
Time Frame for Work
Complete recommendations by December 30, 2009,
Meetings
1, The commission shall meet one to two times per month,
2, Meetings shall begin in June 2009,
3, All meetings shall be open to the public,
4, Meetings shall be posted in advance,
Parks Commission Appointment
On May 20, 2009, the Parks Commission appointed Commissioner Carolyn Peterson to serve on the
Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway ad-hoc commission,
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission appoint one
commissioner to serve on the Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway ad-hoc commission, Since the ad-
hoc commission will include outside agencies, staff recommends that the commissioner appointed
have availability for some daytime meetings,
Attachments:
1. Map of Natural Area Greenways in south Maplewood
2
.&.
~"""\l~C""
Allachmenl1
q
Oakdale
Maplewood
Natural Area Greenways
f
~
~
"
0;
~
w
Agenda Item 6.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Dates
May 28, 2009 for the June 2 ENR Meeting
INTRODUCTION
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission meets once a month at
5:15 p,m, on the first Tuesday of every month, The Planning Commission meets twice a
month on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7 p,m, Because both
commissions meet on one night, the ENR Commission meetings have been limited to
one and one-half hours, Over the last few months it has been difficult for the ENR
Commission to complete their work in this limited timeframe, For this reason the ENR
Commission has requested that staff once again look at alternative dates and times for
their meetings,
DISCUSSION
It is city policy to videotape all commission and city council meetings, As such, the ENR
Commission meetings must be held in the city council chambers where the city has
video taping capability, There are several commission and city council meetings held in
the city council chambers every month, As such, the available dates and tim.es for
alternative ENR Commission meeting dates are limited, Following are the available
dates and times:
1, First Thursday of the month (any time after 4:30 p,m,),
2, Second Thursday of the month (7 p,m,),a
3, Fourth Thursday of the month (7 p,mV
4, Hold two one and one-half hour meetings a month the first and third Tuesday at
5:15 p,m,
5, First Wednesday of the month (any time after 4:30 p,m,),b
6, Fourth Wednesday of the month (any time after 4:30 p,ml
aCity council meetings which are not complete on the second and fourth Monday
of the month are occasionally carried over to the second and third Thursday of
the month, These carry-over meetings usually begin at 5 p,m, So the ENR
Commission should feasibly be able to begin meetings at 7 p,m, on these
evenings,
bThis option will be available beginning September 2009 due to staffing
schedules,
RECOMMENDATION
Review the available meeting dates and discuss rescheduling the Environmental and
Natural Resources Commission meetings,
Agenda Item 8.a.2.
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
ENR's Natural Area Greenways Sub-committee
May 27, 2009
TO:
FROM:
INTRODUCTION
One of the 2009 goals set by the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission is to begin
developing concepts and plans for all four of Maplewood's Natural Area Greenways, The ENR
Commission established a sub-committee to work with staff on this project The Parks Commission
and others also expressed an interest in participating in the greenways sub-committee, Sub-
committee members include ENR Commissioners Judith Johanessen and Carol Mason Sherrill, Parks
Commissioner Carolyn Peterson, interested citizen Ron Cockriel, and staff members Ginny Gaynor
and Shann FinwalL
DISCUSSION
The main goal of the natural area greenway sub-committee is to draft general protection strategies for
the four Natural Area Greenways which the city has adopted in our 2030 Comprehensive Plan
(Attachment 1), These are strategies such as overlay districts, education, and incentive programs for
the protection and preservation of the greenways, The sub-committee will be presenting their draft
general protection strategies to the full ENR Commission for guidance and feedback, The full
commission will make formal recommendations to the city council on these strategies, The sub-
committee is in place to begin the tasks of research and drafting of language for these strategies,
The committee's first task included the development of a statement that clearly articulates the purpose
and scope of the greenways, This statement will guide us as we explore protection strategies for the
greenways, The draft statement (Attachment 2) is based on the concepts set forth in the Natural
Resources section of the Comprehensive Plan (Attachment 3) and expands upon them,
RECOMMENDATION
The sub-committee requests that ENR Commissioners review the draft statement and provide input
As you review the draft, please keep in mind the following:
1, Natural Area Greenways are defined in the Comprehensive Plan, This draft statement needs to be
consistent with the definition in the Comprehensive Plan,
2, This statement just covers the four Natural Area Greenways, It is not intended to cover all natural
areas in Maplewood,
Attachments:
1. Natural Area Greenways Map
2. Draft Natural Area Greenways Statement
3. Natural Resources Section of Comprehensive Plan
DCity of Maplewood Boundary
I!J Natural Area Greenway
II. Local Habitat
Local Habitat Concentration
Nelghbomood Preserve
II. City Park
~Existing Regional Trail
-Existlng Road Trall
"Existlng Walking Path
III Mississippi River Critical Area
I!J Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Figure 4
Natural Resources Plan Map
City of Maplewood Comprehensive Plan
AUachment1
Natural Area Greenways and Local Habitats include both public and private land.
Date: 04-28-08
Source: MNDNR Twin Cities Metro Hybrid Land Cover (2000); 2008 and 2003
digital ol1hophotography; City of Maplewood base data; StreetMap USA
Drawn by: DMM
Reviewed by: KAC
AES Job No.: 08-0036
File Name: maplewood--9reenWaLplan_1 0_figure4natlresourcesplan_02.mxd
Attachment 2
Maplewood Natural Area Greenways
Vision and Guiding Principles
First Draft 5/5/09
Definition
L Maplewood's Natural Area Greenways are large contiguous areas ofhabitaL
2, The greenways include both public and private lands,
3, Private lands in the greenways are not open to public use,
4, The greenways are urban natural areas,
5, The greenways were mapped in 2008, based on existing natural lands at that time, There
are buildings, roads, and homes in the greenways, but the lands are in a relatively natural
state,
Purpose & Use
1, The greenways are places for diverse plants and plant communities,
2, The greenways provide habitat for diverse species of birds and wildlife,
3, The greenways are part of the city's green infrastructure-the biological systems that
support the city, They provide environmental services such as filtering air and water
pollutants and they are a component of larger environmental cycles,
4, The greenways provide a visual break from the developed landscape,
5, The greenways add beauty to our community,
6, The greenways can have a positive economic impact on land values,
7, Private lands in the greenway are not open to public use, unless a homeowner chooses to
open their land to the public,
8, The greenways are a tribute to our natural heritage and provide a legacy to future
generations,
9, The public lands in the greenways are places for people to experience and learn about
nature,
10, The public lands in the greenways are places for passive recreation such as hiking, Some
public lands will have trails, but other public parcels will have no maintained trails.
Goals
1, Protect natural lands and waters in the greenways,
2, Connect parcels of natural land,
3, Improve habitat and the quality of natural resources and waters in the greenways,
4, Use the greenways as part ofthe city's green infrastructure, without degrading natural
resources,
5, Seek funding and develop partnerships to protect, connect, and improve the greenways,
6, Prioritize protection, improvement, and management projects in the greenways,
7, Educate, encourage, and support private landowners in the greenway in protecting and
improving the natural resources on their land,
8, Foster stewardship of natural resources on both public and private lands in the
greenways,
9, Provide for passive recreation (such as hiking) on public lands in the greenways, in a
manner that does not degrade the natural resources,
10, Encourage planting of green connections (naturalized vegetation) that extend from the
greenways into neighborhoods,
This attachment includes portions of the
Natural Resources section of the draft
Comprehensive Plan (May 2009)
Attachment 3
7, How to involve city residents and businesses with city staff and officials in carrying out the vision and goals
for natural resources,
Natural Resources in Maplewood
The City of Maplewood intends to achieve its vision and goals for natural resources using a comprehensive
approach, Maplewood's framework for protecting and managing natural resources focuses on four levels,
. Natural Area Greenways. Natural Area Greenways are large contiguous areas of habitat that cross
ownership boundaries, They protect and expand ecosystem services and habitat Because they are large
they have the potential to provide habitat for both generalist and specialist species, Maplewood has
identified four greenways,
. Local Habitats, Local Habitats are individual natural areas and backyard habitat connections, They serve
the needs of people wanting to enjoy and learn about wild habitat near their homes and also provide
ecosystem services and wildlife habitat locally, Because they are relatively small, they are typically not able
to provide habitat for specialist species, Local habitats may be public or private lands,
. Active Parks and Trails, Active Parks and Trails connect Natural Area Greenways and Local Habitats and
give people places to play sports, picnic, and bike,
. Natural Resource Issues, Some natural resource issues are addressed city-wide through individual
programs, such as stormwater management
Natural Area Greenways
Maplewood defines Natural Area Greenways as large contiguous areas of habitat that cross ownership boundaries,
The purpose of Natural Area Greenways is to protect, connect, and restore large scale ecosystems and ecosystem
services and provide habitat for species that need large natural areas, Greenways contain large natural areas, high
quality plant communities and wildlife habitat, and provide a wide, continuous corridor for animal movement In
general, a corridor in a greenway should not be narrower than the habitat size for a species that needs the corridor.
Scientific studies vary tremendously in their recommendations for corridor width, For Maplewood a reasonable
minimum corridor width in a greenway is 660 feet (200 meters), This width tries to balance the limitations on natural
resources in cities with the needs of animals that use corridors to survive, It is unlikely Maplewood will be able to
achieve this minimum width throughout a whole greenway due to existing roads and development, however it is a
goal to reach for where feasible,
Four Natural Area Greenways exist in Maplewood (Figure 7.2), They were selected by mapping and connecting
large, better quality natural areas and avoiding major roads and watershed divides that are barriers to many species
(Appendix 7,1), The two northern greenways are mostly lowland ecosystems (lakes and wetlands) north of 1-94, The
two southern greenways consist mostly of upland ecosystems (forests, grasslands) with small wetlands and streams
south of 1-94,
Greenways provide stopovers for the hundreds of bird species that migrate through Maplewood each spring and fall.
But birds also use Local Habitats and backyards if food and shelter are present Bird and insect migrants (e,g"
monarch butterfly) move through Maplewood along a broad front They may concentrate in some places due to local
Natural Resources
7-5
geography and vegetation, The Mississippi Flyway, for example, is wider than the Mississippi River, Waterfowl,
waterbirds, and shorebirds generally orient to it and use its open water in the spring while waiting for ice to melt on
lakes and wetlands in the surrounding area, Once in Maplewood, these birds choose migratory stopover habitat
based on size, quality, and isolation, not geographic location, Migrating songbirds from the tropics and subtropics
also move on a broad front, but descend from flight elevations and move through vegetation eating insects as they
journey north, As they move through Maplewood, these birds concentrate in woodlots, dense tree patches in
developments, grasslands and brushland, and in the vegetated edges of wetlands and lakes, The more patches of
permanent vegetation there are, the more opportunities these birds have to feed as they migrate,
1. Phalen-Casey Chain-of-Lakes
Greenway composition and regional barriers
This large, lowland greenway consists of a chain of lakes in formerly extensive wetlands, Stretching from Phalen
Lake to Casey Lake, it includes Round, Keller, Gervais, Kohlman Lakes and Kohlman Creek, Most of the greenway
is open water with a narrow wetland fringe, More wetlands are east of Kohlman Lake, This greenway extends into
North St Paul, Little Canada, and St Paul.
Regional barriers to the movement of fish, freshwater mussels, crayfish, and some other aquatic life are the urban
development south and west of the greenway, and the major watershed divides to the north and east Water leaves
this greenway from Phalen Lake and travels in a large storm sewer until it discharges to the Mississippi River at
Mounds Park, St Paul.
Eleven constrictions (pinch points) with greenway width of <660 feet (Figure 7.2) restrict wildlife movement in the
greenway, Pinch points are mainly at road crossings (Frost Avenue at Round Lake, Highway 61 at Keller Lake,
Highway 36 at Keller Lake, Highway 61 east of Kohlman Lake, west side of Hazelwood Park, and White Bear
Avenue), Other pinch points are the outlet of Lake Gervais, the outlet of Kohlman Lake, a narrow wetland west of
Hazelwood Park, and a drop structure at the outlet of Casey Lake,
Greenway challenges
. Reduced infiltration due to high percentage of impervious surface in the watershed causes a lower water
table and reduces groundwater inflow to lakes and wetlands,
. Poor water quality in lakes and wetlands due to large amount of surface runoff from impervious surfaces
and turf grass brings sediment, nutrients, and pollutants to waters,
. Narrow lake and wetland buffers reduce the filtering and cleansing effect of vegetation at the water-upland
edge,
. The small size of upland habitats next to lakes and wetlands prevents some wetland animals from
completing a life cycle that includes using uplands (e,g" Blanding's Turtle),
. Over-abundance of reed-canary grass and cattail degrades wetland habitat
. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has designated several lakes in this greenway as impaired: Kohlman,
Gervais, Spoon, Keller, Round, and Phalen,
2, Holloway-Beaver Lake Wetlands
Greenway composition and regional barriers
This large, lowland greenway is more or less continuous wetland habitat from the marsh lands north of Holloway
Avenue, southwest to wetlands and uplands at Priory Neighborhood Preserve, and continuing southwest along
wetlands and Beaver Creek to Beaver Lake, This greenway extends into North St Paul, Oakdale, and St Paul.
Natural Resources
7-6
Beaver Lake has a narrow wetland fringe. This is a historical wetland area, containing wet prairie, wet meadow, and
marsh, The lowland forests with ash, elm, cottonwood, and silver maple that exist in this greenway were not here
historically,
Regional barriers include a major watershed at the east edge, dense urban development in St Paul, and minor
watershed divides to the north and south, The greenway drains out of Beaver Lake and the water flows in a large
storm sewer west to Phalen Creek, The movement of fish, freshwater mussels, crayfish, and some other aquatic
species are restricted by these barriers,
Seven pinch points with greenway width of <660 feet (Figure 7.2) restrict wildlife movement in the greenway, Pinch
points are where roads (Century Avenue, Maryland Avenue, and Lakewood Drive) and a railroad cross the
greenway, The narrow wetland between Maryland Avenue and Lakewood Drive is also a pinch point
Greenway challenges
The challenges are the same as for Phalen-Casey Chain of Lakes above,
3, Battle Creek Forests
Greenway composition and regional barriers
This large, mostly forested greenway includes Battle Creek Regional Park and connects to the Mississippi River
bluffs in St Paul. This greenway includes the Ponds at Battle Creek Golf Course, the forested portion of Highwood
neighborhood, and Applewood Neighborhood Preserve, The largest, best quality forests are in Battle Creek
Regional Park, Battle Creek is part of this corridor and begins in Tanner's Lake in Landfall, then flows to Battle Creek
Lake in Woodbury, and then through a narrow stream valley to Battle Creek Park, This is a historical forest area of
oak forest, oak-maple-basswood forest, and aspen-oak woodland,
Regional barriers around this upland greenway are the major divided highways: US61, 1-494, and 1-94, These
highways prevent the movement of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and ground-dwelling insects that are an
important part of the forest's food chain, They also pose a significant risk to other mammals, birds, and flying insects
(e,g" butterflies, dragonflies) attempting to cross them,
Two pinch points in the continuous forest are on Battle Creek and Lower Afton Road west of McKnight Road, A
pinch point in the greenway exists at Lower Afton Road between Battle Creek Regional Park and the golf course,
Battle Creek is pinched where it crosses under 1-94 between Tanner's and Battle Creek Lake, at the outlet of Battle
Creek Lake, and at Century Avenue. Only two pinch points are within the City,
Greenway challenges
. The large forests are far from each other and connected by poor quality corridors,
. Development at the edges of the large forests affects habitat quality inside the forests, Edge effects shrink
the actual size of interior forest habitat, reducing breeding area for forest songbirds (e,g" warblers, vireos)
and other forest animals,
. Low quality forest habitat is due to over-abundance of European buckthorn and invasion by other non-native
plants (e,g" garlic mustard),
. Groundcover plants, trees, and shrubs were affected by cattle grazing in the past, and are today affected by
abundant white-tailed deer. Grazing and browsing affects some plant species but not others, reducing
forest plant diversity,
. The forests were protected from severe fires historically, but not from all fire,
. Feral and free-roaming cats affect small mammal populations and shrub nesting birds,
Natural Resources
7-7
. Two- and four-lane roads inside the greenway prevent movement of some species,
. The challenges described for the lowland greenways affect Battle Creek, a mostly developed 11 A square
mile watershed, Battle Creek is a typical urban stream, with very low flows at times and with very high flows
after rainstorms3, but water quality and aquatic life are fair to good,
4, Fish Creek Forests
Greenway composition and regional barriers
This large, mostly forested greenway includes four units of Ramsey County's Fish Creek Open Space, It is at the
north end of a large, mostly forested greenway that includes forests in Newport, St Paul, and Cottage Grove, Fish
Creek is part of this corridor and begins at Carver Lake in Woodbury, then flows through the Fish Creek Open Space
and beneath 1-494 and US61 to the Mississippi River. A smaller creek, Snake Creek, begins in the Bailey Nursery
grounds and also flows to the Mississippi. This is a historical forest area of oak forest, oak-maple-basswood forest,
and aspen-oak woodland,
A portion of this greenway is in the Mississippi River Critical Area and the Mississippi National River and Recreation
Area, The Critical Area was designated and established by two governors and the Metropolitan Council between
1976 and t 979, Executive Order 79-19 requires that municipalities and agencies coordinate planning and
management in the Critical Area using common guidelines4, In 199t the legislature made the National River and
Recreation Area (part of the National Park Service) a critical area under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 116G, The
legislation also made the boundaries of the Critical Area and the National River and Recreation Area the same,
Regional barriers to this upland greenway are the major divided highway 1-494 and development to the east in
Woodbury, These barriers prevent the movement of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and ground-dwelling
insects that are an important part of the forest's food chain, The highway poses a significant risk to other mammals,
birds, and flying insects (e,g" butterflies, dragonflies) attempting to cross it
The main pinch points in the continuous forest are near Sterling Street at 1-494 and on the Bailey property,
Greenway challenges
. The challenges are the same as the challenges for Battle Creek Forests above,
. Loss of private land to development will decrease the amount of natural land in this greenway,
. Unwise development may degrade habitat
. Developers and landowners are often not knowledgeable about or are not receptive to conservation design
strategies,
. Fish Creek and Snake Creek are reported to have eroding banks and beds,
Local Habitats
Local Habitats are individual natural areas and backyard habitat connections (Figure 7-3), The purpose of Local
Habitats is to protect, buffer, and manage small, isolated wild habitats and protect local ecosystem services outside
the Greenways, Local Habitats will be difficult to enlarge and connect and will usually benefit generalist species but
3 See Met Council monitoring reports for 2001 and 2003 at:
htto://www .metrocouncil.onv'environmentlRiverslakes/Streams/Reoorts/Battle.odf,
http://www.metrocouncil.orglenvironmentJRiversLakes/StreamslReport3/2003 _ Report/03Battle. pdf
4 For guidelines see: http://files.dnr.state.rnn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/critical_ area/execord.pdf.
Natural Resources
7-8
Waste Hauling in Maplewood
Outline from the Sub-committee
A3€-(\d~ ItelY1 8 Q3
By Commissioners: Carole Lynne and Dale Trippler
May 5, 2009
I. Waste Generation and Disposal Facts: Background
information.
Minnesota taxpayers own 93 closed landfills located throughout the state, So far
you have paid over $76 M in general obligation bonds to repair and maintain 52
LFs, The state has recovered $17M through cost recovery efforts, Last year the
MPCA spent $18 M working on those LFs in the Closed Landfill Program, So
far, the state has spent over $290 M on those closed landfills,
(Go to www.pca.state.mn.us to find the Annual Report to the Legislature from the
CLP for more information on this issue,)
II. Best way to go?
A. Do not generate the waste in the first place,
B. Minimize waste generation as much as possible,
C. Recycle as much as you can.
III. Principle Factors Affecting Waste Hauling Options.
A. Economic Considerations
B. Environmental Considerations
C. Aesthetic Considerations
D. Greater Control over QAlQC
IV. Economic Considerations.
A Cost savings on road repairs
B. Lower Cost per Customer based on Competitive Bidding,
V. Environmental Considerations.
A Less gas and/or diesel burned
B. Less CO emitted into the atmosphere
C. Able to direct waste to best environmental destination
VI. Aesthetics and QAlQC
A Less traffic, noise, and dust
B. Safer streets
C. Better look during collection days
D, Greater leverage to correct any problems with service