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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-10-29 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION AGENDA Monday, October 29, 1973 Village Hall 7:30 P.M. 1. Roll Call II. Minutes of September 24, 1973 III. Committee Reports A. Committee recomendations on feasibility of data collection and implementation plans for EQC. 1. Water Resources 2. Solid Waste 3. Land Resources 4. Air, Noise & Traffic 5. Soil Erosion 6. Education B. Land Resources - Tree Removal Ordinance C. Others IV. Old Business A. Highway #100 - 77th St. Interchange, report on 9 Mile Creek Watershed Dist. field trip, 10-20-73. B. Nine Mile Creek Development - Mud Lake C. Soil Erosion Ordinance D. Heritage Preservation Ordinance E. Committee Appointments. V. New Business A. Proposed State Environmental Impact Statement B. Other Vi. Communications VII. Others wishing to be heard VIII. Adjournment. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION Regular Meeting 7:30 P.M. October 29, 1973 Edina Village Hall Chairman Ron Hays called the meeting to order with the following members present: June Schmidt Ron Hays Fritz Reid Don .Johnson Clifford Johnson Bob Sandilla Virginia Scott John Telfer Staff present: Gary West Harold Sand MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the September 24, 1973 meeting were read and approved as corrected by John Telfer. COMMITTEE REPORTS It was pointed out to the Commission that the committee recommendations on the feasibility of data collection and implementation plans was to be completed for the November and December meetings. The Chair requested the various committee chairmen to report on their activities. Water Resources. John Telfer reported on his conversations with Robert Dunn and John Dixon concerning the possibility of bridging Nine Mile Creek to provide alternate access routes to the Parkwood Knolls area. Mr. West reviewed the recent Council action appointing a study commission and the proposal to hire an independent traffic consultant to study the whole access situation with respect to County Road #18 and Village traffic. Following considerable discussion among the Commission, member Bob Sandilla offered the following resolution: The Edina Environmental Quality Commission believes additional bridging of Nine Mile Creek in the Parkwood Knolls-Co. Rd. #18 area is detrimental to the creek, the area, and the Village. The EQC requests that the consultant to be hired by the Village be advised that the environment should be a significant factor in evaluation of any decision concerning the County Road 18 corridor. Page Two ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COWISSION October 29, 1973 Regular Meeting The EQC, therefore, requests the opportunity to have input in the study and review the project during its progress and before a final recommendation is made to the Village Council." Motion seconded by Virgina Scott, Motion carried. Mr. Telfer reviewed the changes which occured in the latest development plans of Relocation Reality in the Braimar Park area. During the insuing discussion, he raised the question if pond which hadcbeen discussed extensively in the past, was a "Natural pond" and therefore came under the protection of Village Ordinance NO. 801-Al which requires dedication and protection of land 50 feet upland from such ponds. Discussion was held on the matter which centered on the question of the definition of a "Natural pond". The Water Resources Committee was requested to obtain clearification of the intent of Ordinance No. 801-Al and this definition for the future. Mr. West explained that minor modifications of final development plans such as exact building placement etc. are subject to approval of the staff. The Chair stated the developers appeared to be cooperative and unless the treatment of the pond was in violation of Village ordinances, he did not feel action on the matter by the EQC was necessary at this time. Solid Waste. James Bentley reported that the League of Women Voters has expressed interest in working for Village wide contract refuse hauling. Also, an iufoxmatinu campaign is to begin shortly to make people more aware of solid waste problems and alternative solutions. Mr. Bentley reported the Solid Waste Committee was to tour the Horner-Waldorf plant to see what alternatives are available for recycling more paper. Mr. Bentley presented his recommendation of Virginia Scott as a new member on the Solid Waste Committee. Motion made by Fritz Reid and seconded by Bob Sandilla that the EQC confirm the appointment of Mrs. Scott to the Solid Waste Committee. Motion carried. Page Three ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION October 29, 1973 Regular meeting Land Resources. June Schmidt reviewed the suggested amendment to the Building Code which provides for the identification and location of trees over 6" in diameter as a condition of the issuance of a building permit. Trees to be retained on the site would be required to be "tagged" and protected during construction. Discussion was held on the proposed ordinances. The Commission agreed the proposal would be benificial, but the consensus of the group was that what was desired was some means of regulation land clearing operations which might not require building permits. The Commission instructed the Land Resources to prepare additional proposals to regulate land alterations similar to the Eden Prairie one. Mr. West said he would work with the committee on such an ordinance and have it reviewed by the Village Attorney. Air, Noise, and Transportation. Robert Sandilla reported in the absence of Earl Carson that the committee had no formal report at this time. Soil Erosion. Clifford Johnson presented the draft of the Soil Erosion Ordinance prepared to the committee and indicated that it had been given to the Village Attorney for his review and comment. Mr. West stated he had been in contact with the Village Attorney regarding the ordinance with several suggestions and comments, but the Attorney had not had time to adequately review the ordinance. The Chair requested comments from the commission members concerning the ordinance. There being no comments from the commission members, Mr. West raised questions on provisions of the ordinance regarding topographical and soil data, fee schedules, compliance of undeveloped and previously developed land, and the seperation of responsibility for administration of the ordinance. Considerable discussion was generated by these comments among the commission members. The Commission ddcided to postpone further action on the ordinance until they had received the report from the Village Attorney. Education. Fritz Reid stated he had no report to submit at this time. Page Four ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION October 29, 1913 Regular Meeting OLD BUSINESS Highway #100 - 77th St. Interchange, Field Trip. Chairman Ron Hays gave a brief summary of the field trip to the site of the High #100 - 77th St, interchange conducted by the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. He stated that what was shown to the group appeared to be satisfactory and the areas that could pose problems were quite temporary in nature. Mr. Hays expressed great concern, however, over a condition in the area which was called to his attention following the field trip. A short distance north of the area viewed during the field trip, there were indications of heavy equipment operating in the creek bed and filling operations along the bank with spillage into the channel. Mr. Hays indicated he had discussed his findings with the Watershed District who had been unaware of these activities and expressed shock and concern as to how erosion protection might be accomplished this late in the construction season. A great deal of discussion was held among the commission members as to what should or could be done in this matter. Also, of concern was the ability of the Village or the Watershed District as a third party to require the contractors to comply with the Highway Department contract. Mr. West was asked to discuss the situation with Mr. Dixon, engineer for the Watershed District the following day and communicate developments with the Commission. If it appears necessary, the Cahir will call a special meeting to consider this new problem areas and make new recommendations to the Council. Nine Mile Creek Development. The Chair introduced Dr. Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, to discuss the request by the Watershed District of recommendations for development projects using matching funds from the District. Dr. Jones discussed several possibilities such as erosion control at bridges, creek bank stablization, improved access through purchase of land adjoining the creek, walkways, safe fishing sites, creek beautification, etc. Dr. Jones also discussed newly adopted rules and regulations of the Watershed Page Five ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION October 29, 1973 Regular Meeting District which could be of assistance to the Village in controlling soil erosion. Of particular importance is their new requirement for permits for development of upland ponds and marshes. Adjournment. The Chair requested that the Commission adjourn until the following Monday and at that time complete action on the agenda. Meeting declared adjourned by the Chair until 7:30 P.M., Monday, November 5, 1973.