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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-19 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 19, 2010 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Trippler. 2. 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 Kathleen Juenemann, City Council Liaison Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall explained that item 5.a. (Recycling Proposals) would be tabled until the August meeting because staff is waiting for additional cost information received from two of the prospective providers to be added to the analysis. It is anticipated that the proposals will be reviewed with the City Council at either the August 23 meeting or the first meeting in September. Commissioner Mason Sherrill moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. The motion carried by a vote of 6 to O. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of June 23,2010, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Minutes Ms. Finwall requested that approval of the June 23 ENR minutes be tabled until the August meeting. This delay is due to the need to transition the minute taking functions to a new employee. 1 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Recycling Proposals - Tabled until August 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Alternative Energy Ordinance Environmental Planner Finwall updated the commission and gave the report of the draft alternative energy ordinance. The city adopted the energy efficiency and conservation strategy in December 2009, which was required as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. The strategy was created to improve long-term operational energy efficiency and includes policies to ensure achievement of the city's goals. George Johnson, Senior Scientist with Short Elliott Hendrickson, drafted the alternative energy ordinance for the city's review and was present to answer questions. The commission discussed questions and concerns regarding the draft ordinance as follows: Wind Turbines: 1. It was clarified that the city should allow wind turbines with a permit in any single dwelling residential zoning district. 2. There was confusion about the terms Micro WECS versus Residential WECS. It was recommended that one term be used consistently throughout the ordinance. 3. Rotor blades should maintain at least 20' of clearance from the ground, not 120'. 4. All references to and definition for meteorological towers should be removed from this ordinance. 5. Language should be added to state specifically that the placement of signs cannot be placed on towers. The purpose for this is to ensure the towers don't become billboards. 6. Clarification was given regarding 55 decibels; it is the equivalent of something between normal speech and shouting. 7. Feeder Lines: "Leads have to be buried within the interior of the subject parcel." There was discussion regarding the need to allow overhead lines. 8. The commission expressed concern about a reference to "Model Community General Development Standards for Essential Services." Mr. Johnson will rephrase the item to remove the reference. 9. Any definitions for terms not used in the document should be removed from the list of definitions. Also, any definitions that are redundant, such as system height versus tower height and utility turbine and commercial WECS, should be consolidated within the definitions and throughout the document. It was recommended that the entire document be reviewed to ensure consistent language is used. 2 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 10. Following discussion, the commission agreed to include commercial systems in the ordinance. It was further agreed that commercial systems must be approved under a Conditional Use Permit. Specific discussion included setting a maximum height and limiting the maximum number or density of commercial systems based on the size of the property. 11. The city should prohibit the removal of significant trees for the installation of wind turbines. 14. There was ongoing concern about the impact wind turbines will have on birds, bats and other wildlife. It was presented that the National Wind Organization has found that reducing the speed of the turbines at specific times of day and specific times of the year significantly reduces the impact on wildlife. It was suggested that specific language around wildlife protections be included. Solar Enerqv Svstems: 1. It was explained that passive solar systems are systems that do not actively heat water or actively generate electricity, similar to a greenhouse. 2. The same issue regarding feeder lines being buried as with wind turbines. 3. The term GSHPS is used without a definition. 4. Exterior piping only being allowed in the side yard should be modified to include back or rear yard. 5. The commission expressed concern over the statement that ground-mounted systems have to be in "rear" yard. It was suggested that achieving the best solar exposure is the most important issue; therefore, this should be modified to allow systems to be located in other areas such as side or front yards. It was also suggested that specific language be included to limit size or capacity. It was noted that this issue may connected to the Accessory Structure Ordinance, which only allows these structures in the rear yard. 6. It was suggested that the various sections of both the Solar Energy Systems and the Wind Energy Systems be organized in a similar order. Also, "Solar Systems" should be referred to as Solar Energy Systems and abbreviated SES. Geothermal Svstems 1. It was noted that geothermal systems will only allow closed systems. 2. Geothermal in public waters should be prohibited. Mr. Johnson will make all recommended modifications and resubmit to the ENR for review again in August. The commission requested that the revised ordinance draft include pictures of some of the various wind turbine designs to demonstrate the scale, specifications of output, etc. Kathleen Juenemann, City Council Liaison, shared her perspective regarding the charge of the ENR Commission. She believes the primary focus of the ENR should be the environmental issues, and expressed concern that these issues were not addressed until the end of this discussion. She believes it is important for the ENR to be in front of the 3 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes changing technology and be able to talk about why [the city] should regulate it. She believes the environmental weight behind regulation should come from this commission. The commission agreed to add language in the purpose and intent section and 1.11 that addresses the environmental issues. b. Chickens in Residential Districts Ms. Finwall updated the commission and gave the report of the draft ordinance. The current ordinance prohibits poultry including chickens in residential districts. The city has reviewed and discussed the issues of permitting, costs and enforcement with six cities that currently allow chickens in residential districts. It is estimated that the cost of dealing with a stray chicken would cost the city between $60 and $150. It is also estimated that it would cost the city approximately $114 to process a permit. It was suggested that Maplewood consider following the fee structure currently used by the city of Minneapolis: $50 for initial permit and a $30 annual renewal. The following changes to the ordinance were suggested by the commission: Section 44.103, Prohibited Uses: "handling livestock" should be changed to "handling of livestock" throughout. 44.118 Prohibited Uses: Staff to restate in all instances to ensure clarification. Section 10,477: Add the word "terminate" to the phrase "...grant, deny or refuse..." Section, 482, Violations: Clarify what the punishment under 115 is. Also clarify language about being found in violation. It was suggested that this section be modified to cover both contained and uncontained chickens. The commission discussed including leg banding as part of the permit process. This would allow the city to identify the owner of any stray chickens in order to pass the cost of managing this to the owner. Based on discussion among the commission and input from audience members, Commissioner Yingling moved that leg banding be included where appropriate, that the ENR recommend the city follows the Minneapolis fee structure instead of the staff recommendation, to amend Section 10, 480, Applications, part C, to allow portable cages for daytime runs, and Section 10, 478 regarding limitations to provide exceptions to allow chickens indoors during the brooding period. Johannessen seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to 1 . Commissioner Edmundson moved that Section 10, 478, be revised to allow a maximum of ten (10) chickens and that the brooding period is not to exceed three (3) weeks. Commissioner Yingling seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote 6-0. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 4 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Diana Longrie,1771 Burr Street, Maplewood. Ms. Longrie expressed her opinion that the charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Commission does include having a holistic vision of renewable resources in our city, county, state and nation. She believes the discussion on solar energy and wind energy are indeed exactly what the ENR is charged with, and thanked the commission for it. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS There were no commission presentations. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Update on the June 28 and July 12, 2010, City Council Meetings - Wetland Buffer Variance Requests for Goodwill and The Shores at Lake Phalen Environmental Planner Finwall updated the commission on the Goodwill and The Shores projects. The buffer variance for the Goodwill project was approved without the need to remove the parking spaces, but does include requiring that native grass be planted instead of the Kentucky Bluegrass that was originally proposed. The Shores at Lake Phalen discussion was tabled; the city council will see that proposal on August 3. b. National Night Out - August 3 Environmental Planner Finwall reported that Maplewood's recycling partner, Eureka Recycling, wants to promote recycling by distributing recycling bins at the event. They are hoping that some ENR commissioners will be available to assist in that effort. Staff will send the event information to the commissioners. c. Taste of Maplewood - August 6 and 7 The city's two-day Taste of Maplewood event will be held at Goodrich Park. The hours are Friday from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eureka and Xcel Energy will have booths at the event. Staff reported that there are many volunteer opportunities for the event. This prompted discussion around recommending to the city that it work toward zero-waste events by requiring vendors to use compostable and recyclable materials to serve food to customers. Eureka has a program to assist organizations in hosting zero-waste events. Staff reported that recycling coordinator, Bill Priefer, has been working with the event organizers to work toward a reduced-waste event. It was cost prohibitive to require vendors to use compostable serving products this year; however, they will continue the effort for next year's event. Staff also reported that the Green Team is looking at adopting an environmental purchasing policy that will focus on these large events as well. 5 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes d. Subcommittee Updates Greenways: The committee will hold neighborhood meetings to inform and educate those who live near the greenways on the benefits of the greenways and ways to improve and protect them. The committee wants to focus on the public areas of the greenway, therefore, will use the Priory Greenway as an example, which currently has projects and development underway. The city can be the demonstrator of different kinds of technologies and then the nature center can be encouraged to develop classes to teach the public how to improve their sections of the greenways. Chair Trippler feels it will be important to get the public involved and asked Commissioner Johannessen to identify potential leaders as she is working in the various neighborhoods. Trash Hauling: Staff updated the commission on the status of this effort. The subcommittee is starting with education process to notify the public and inform them on why the city wants to review the current trash hauling system. An article will be included in the August newsletter. This will also be on Spotlight on Map/ewood, which will air in August. Staff will have airing information posted on the website. The committee will update the City Council on the work plan including the intent to organize. Neighborhood Groups: Commissioner Johannessen updated the committee on recent activity. The goal is to develop strategies for conservation and sustainability in small areas of the city. Maplewood is one of four cities selected to participate in Xcel Energy's Home Energy Squad program. The committee plans to hold a workshop to present the program to the residents of Maplewood, which will probably be in October. Maplewood Nature Center Programs, 2659 East Seventh Street: Staff updated the commission on programs being offered in August: 1. Inviting Butterflies to Your Yard: Sat, Aug 7, 2:00 - 3:30 $3 person, $5/family 2. Living on the Water's Edge. Tues, August 10, 6:30 to 8:30 at Joy Park, on the north side of Silver Lake. Will showcase improvements to wetland buffer. Free program. 3. Natural Play Area Sat, Aug 21, 1 :00 to 3:00. Celebrate opening of the new play area. Free program. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 9:26 p.m. 6 July 19,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes