HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-08-27 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
August 27, 1973
Edina Village Hall
Chairman Ron Hays called the meeting to order with the following members present:
Ron Hays
Clifford Johnson
John Telfer
Fritz Reid
June Schmidt
Jim Bentley
Fred Richards
Staff present: Gary West
Harold Sand
Approval of the Minutes of July 30. The Minutes of the July 30, 1973 regular
meeting were distributed and read. John Telfer questioned the action reported
on Item B of "New Business, Viking Hills 5th Addition". It was the recollection
of the Commission that the Minutes were correct, and the Minutes were approved
as read.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Directions Committee. The Chair requested that a special meeting be
scheduled for the middle of September to discuss the Directions Committee
report of June 25. This meeting would be primarily a "long range goals" setting
meeting to improve the ability of the Commission to deal with problems as they
arise.
After some discussion, it was agreed by the majority of the members that Septem-
ber 12 would be the most convenient date for the Commission to meet.
B. Solid Waste Committee. Jim Bentley reported that the committee had been
unable to meet with Mr. West in regard to Village contract systems of refuse
collection and disposal due to unavailability of various committee members.
The Chair requested the matter be laid over until the September meeting for a
report from the committee at that time.
C. Education Committee. Fritz Reid reported that he had sent the requested
information on meeting dates to Donna Rubens as requested but had heard nothing
from her since that time.
D. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation. Clifford Johnson presented the preliminary
draft of the soil erosion ordinance which his committee had prepared.
The Chair requested the staff to prepare copies for the next meeting and to send
a copy to the Village Attorney for his inspection. This ordinance is to be re-
viewed by the Commission at its September meeting for consideration of a recom-
mendation to the Village Council.
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E. Land Resources. In response to a question from Alison Fuhr as to the
ability of the Village to require inventory of trees and permits for their
removal, the Chair replied that the one ordinance of that type of which he
was aware was the one recently enacted in Eden Prairie.
Following discussion, the Chair requested the land resources committee to
investigate the Eden Prairie ordinance and report back to the Commission at
the next meeting.
F. Water Resources. John Telfer called the Commission's attention to the
July 30 Minutes and the discussion of Parkwood Knolls traffic patterns. At
that time, there was some discussion concerning a bridge across Nine Mile
Creek on Lincoln Drive. Be reported that a bridge had been approved for
Lincoln Drive.
OLD BUSINESS
The Chair requested Mr. West to review the actions taken on the items listed
under "Old Business" by the Village Council and Planning Commission.
A. Condor Corporation. Mr. West reported that the Condor Corporation con-
dominium proposal had received first reading before the Village Council,
August 20,
B. Relocation Reality. Mr. West reported that this townhouse proposal had
received final approval at the Aguust 20 Village Council meeting.
Ron Hays asked if any provisions had been made in the final development plans
for the suggestions made by the EQC July 30, particularly in regard to the
treatment of the ponds. Mr. West replied that the mining permit revocation and
the cut and fill plans were incorporated in the approval; but to his knowledge,
nothing was mentioned about the pond enrichment from storm drainage.
The Chair suggested the EQC might wish to take further informal action in regard
to concerns the Commission has of the pond treatment, etc. The Chair requested
John Telfer to meet with the developer to discuss the concern of the Commission
over nutrient enrichment of the ponds. Be further requested this item to be
placed under "Old Business" for the next meeting for a report.
C. Darrel A. Farr. Mr. West reported that this condominium apartment proposal
had received final approval of the Village Council on August 6.
D. Viking ills 5th Addition. Mr. West reported that the Village Council
gave approval of the preliminary plat at its August 20 meeting. The Council
gave as their reasoning that the plat met the requirements of the appropriate
Village ordinances, and there were not sufficient legal grounds to deny the
request. Furthermore, that the cost of the property was too high to justify
the purchase of the property by the Village.
E. Rembrandt Enterprises. Mr. West reported action by the Village Council
August 20, denying the requested rezoning.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION - 3 - August 27, 1973
F. Parkwood Knolls Traffic Patterns. Mr. West reported that the Village
Council referred this matter to a committee of residents to study the entire
County Road 18 corridor, the transportation and access problems and needed
interchanges along this freeway,
NEW BUSINESS
A. Council Referral of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Request for Improve-
ment Projects. The Chair reviewed the request from the Watershed District with
Fred Richards and Gary West adding further information as to the purpose of the
request.
The Chair suggested there were two ways of handling the request, refer it to
the water resources committee or the EQC acting as a "committee of the whole".
John Telfer stated he needed additional members for the water resources committee
as it was operating at reduced strength. The Chair requested Mr. Telfer to bring
suggestions for additional members to the EQC meeting in September for the EQC's
consideration.
Additional discussion ensued as to areas which could be identified as possible
sites to be recommended to the Watershed District for development.
Ron Hays moved and June Schmidt seconded the EQC recommend to the Village Council
that the Mud Lake task force report be reviewed for the possibility of gaining
Watershed District funding for a portion of the development costs. Motion carried
with 6 ayes, no nays and Fred Richards abstaining.
Fred Richards suggested that another site to be considered is the Wallace Kenneth
property on County Road 18.
Fred Richards suggested the EQC invite John McLennon of the Watershed District
to the September meeting to give further information on the type of suggestions
they are looking for. This was agreeable to the Commission and Mr. West said
he would contact Mr. McLennon.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. Lot 1, Gleason 3rd Addition, Mr. West reviewed a stipulation of agreement
between the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Edina Building, Inc. concerning
the filling of the lot at the corner of Vernon Avenue and Gleason Road. He
stated that under the agreement, no further alteration of the property would take
place without the granting of a filling permit by the Watershed District.
B, Joseph E. Erickson Condominiums. Mr. West reviewd the permit issued to the
Joseph E. Erickson condominiums by the Department of Natural Resources for con-
struction of the highrise at the corner of 66th Street and France Avenue.
Alison Fuhr objected to the siting of the building on the property, stating it
was too close to the pond area.
No further action was taken.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION 4 August 27, 1973
C. League of Women Voters--Transit for Edina. Ron Hays read a letter he had
received from the League of Women Voters concerning a meeting they were sponsor-
ing to discuss the needs for mass transit for the Village and Metro area. Mr.
Hays said he would attend this meeting as the ECC representative.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Clifford Johnson moved with second by Fritz
Reid that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried.