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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-23 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 23,2010 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road BEast A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Trippler. B. ROLL CALL Dale Trippler, Chair Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Judith Johannessen, Commissioner Carole Lynne, Commissioner Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Bill Schreiner, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Present Present Present Present Absent Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following items were added to the Agenda: a. Commissioner Johannessen added item 8.a. - Watershed District Boat Tour b. Commissioner Yingling added item 8.b. - Fish Creek Update Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to O. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of May 10, 2010, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Minutes Commissioner Yingling questioned item #4 on pg 3: the question as to how a turbine actually reduces a home's energy consumption. She did not believe the question was posed in those terms and suggested that, unless someone remembers what the actual question was, it be stricken from the minutes. Chair Trippler requested that the term "guide wires" in item #5 on page 3 be changed to read "guy wires." Chair Trippler pointed out that the description in item #8 regarding the setback of the tower says both 2.5 and 1.1 times the height of the tower. Since it has to be one or the other, he believes the draft ordinance intended a setback distance of 1.1 times the height of the tower and that item #8 should be so modified. June 23, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Wetland Variance - Goodwill Development (2580 White Bear Avenue) Jim Kellison, of Kelco Services, LLC was present to discuss the development. Goodwill is requesting the following wetland buffer variances: 70' on the north side of the site and 15' on the east side of site. Overall the commissioners felt that the project would create improvements to the wetland and creek with the reestablishment of the 50 foot buffer along the wetland and portions of the buffer adjacent the creek as well as the stormwater improvements on the overall property. Commissioner Trippler expressed concern over the fact that the creek wetland buffer request is so extreme. The required buffer is 100 feet and the applicants propose to reestablish buffer in less than half of that area. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the variance request with two new conditions: a) To lower the impact on the creek on the north side, they approve a variance on parking spaces so that 10 parking spaces on the east side could be included as "proof of parking" only, thereby rendering the 15' variance unnecessary. b) Use a native grass instead of Kentucky blue grass. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 2 with Commissioners Johannessen and Trippler voting against the motion. 2. Wetland Variance - The Shores at Lake Phalen (940 Frost Avenue) Jim Schlomer of Kaas/Wilson Architects was present to discuss the development. Ron Leaf, the city's storm water consultant with SEH, presented specifics of the storm water and wetland improvements. Commissioner Trippler moved to recommend approval of the variance request with one new condition: the applicant rotates the building footprint slightly counter clockwise to the southwest to reduce the buffer variance from 45' down to 20 to 25' if possible. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yingling. The motion passed by a vote of 6 to O. 3. Capital Improvement Plan Presentation Environmental Planner Shann Finwall presented the specifics of the CI P. Following discussion it was determined that the landfill project should remain on the list of projects deferred or declined. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the CIP with the following revisions: a) In # 8 of the memo from the city manager, delete the first occurrence of the word "come." June 23, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 b) Page 5, # 3, Gladstone Phase 3: Include the date it is proposed to be done. Page 53, Joy Park improvements: it mentions improvements in 2012 and 2013; however, the funding shows $0. Add budget amount. c) The budget shows Lion's Park expenditures of $50K in 2011; however, it is not listed in the projects for 2011. It was determined that Joy Park is listed twice; one entry should be for Lion's Park. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to O. d. National Pollutant Discharge Ron Leaf, SEH, presented the annual report and answered questions of the commission. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Alternative Energy Ordinance [tabled until July] b. Chickens in Residential Districts [tabled until July] G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS There were no visitor presentations H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. Boat trip: Commissioner Johannessen reported on a boat trip she and another commissioner took to Ramsey Metro Watershed district. Various watershed districts are collaborating to enhance and clean up the park in the area toured. During the tour, presentations were made on plans for the area, funding to be used, and the Coon Rapids Natural area, which is being developed as a recreational and education area. 2. Fish Creek: Commissioner Yingling updated the commission on Fish Creek. The City Council reviewed a proposal from staff, which proposed using Economic Development bonding to get the 2.5 million dollars to purchase the property. There is discomfort on both sides about using the Economic Development that way because it would take up half of the bonding authority. Staff is authorized to begin discussions about buying 20 acres of the highest environmental quality to create the buffer along the creek corridor and along the bluff lands. This would allow the city to finish the hiking trail along Fish Creek. Other funding options are also being investigated. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Environmental Planner Shann Finwall reported on the following: 1. The Storm Water ordinance was adopted by the City Council at the June 14 meeting. The ordinance includes prohibition on coal tar sealant. 2. Recycling Program: The city has received six letters of intent from various providers. Proposals are due June 30. The committee will review the proposals prior to the July 19 ENR commission meeting, at which a report will be given. 3. Greenways Subcommittee: Staff and Commissioner Yingling will schedule a meeting with the Greenway subcommittee to talk about the planned fall public meeting to get feedback on how people feel about the greenways in their areas. June 23, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 4. Environmental neighborhood groups learned that Xcel Energy has chosen Maplewood as one of four cities to do energy sweeps and assist with energy efficiency programs, such as going into neighborhoods and doing basic energy efficiency upgrades. Residents pay only for materials, not for labor. Staff will look for dates to meet with the subcommittee. 5. Organized Trash Hauling: A subcommittee meeting was held to discuss the work plan and layout what will be needed over the next six months. In an effort to inform and educate the public before moving forward with the program, Shann Finwall will write an article for the August newsletter to highlight the environmental benefits of organized trash hauling, and it will be on Spotlight on Maplewood in August. A workshop will be held on August 2 with the city council. It is hoped that the council will adopt a resolution of intent on September 13. 6. ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 9:47 p.m. June 23, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4