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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-11-05 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION Adjourned October. Regular Meeting 7:30 P.M., November 5, 1973 Edina Village Hall Chai Han Ron Hays called the adjourned October meeting to order with the following members present. Ron Hays Jim Bentley Fritz Reid Staff present: Gary West Earl Carson John Telfer Don Johnson OLD BUSINESS Highway #100 - 77th St. Interchange, Mr. West reported on his conversations with John Dixon, engineer for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, as to their efforts to have the contractors remove material placed at the edge of the creek and providing erosion protection. The Chair requested staff to ask Mr. Dixon to the next meeting for a full report on the situation. Nine Mile Creek Development, Mr. West reported on the meeting the staffs of communities in the Watershed District had on October 30 with the Nine Mile Creek Board of Manager. The Board of Managers agreed to list by priority the development projects which have not been completed in the District's overall comprehensive plan. The communities would then petition for these projects. In the beginning, these projects would deal mainly with property acquisition and the construction of structures necessary for flood protection. Beautification and recreation projects would probably receive Inwmr pxiority. In Edina, the Kenneth and Reuter properties on County Road 18 are oo the list of property to be acquired. Page Two ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION November 5, 1973 Regular Meeting The Chair suggested the Commission survey the creek crossings in the Village for erosion and develop a program for discouraging pedestrian traffic from gaining access to the creek at that location or at least the prevention of erosion due to the lack of ground cover. Mr. West explained the two optional sources for funds and the types of projects comtemplated from each source. Soil Erosion Ordinance. The Chair recalled that this had been presented to the Village Attorney for his review and the Commission would await his comments before any further action. Heritage Preservation Ordinance. Mr. West reviewed the Heritage Preservation Ordinance for the Commission stating that the EQC's primary function under this ordinance was to review sites in conjunction with the Planning Commission and Park Board and offer recommendations of appropriate sites which should be preserved because of ecological significance. Some discussion was held among the members as to the appropriate amount of envolvement by the EQC. Of specific concern was the requirement of review by the EQC of sites, but having no representation on the Heritage Preservation Board. The Chair expressed concern of the possible dilution of effort on more ecologically significant problem areas. A consensus of the members present favored the concept that the EQC would not be envolved on an on-going basis, but become involved through other means when the site being considered was ecologically significant. The Chair directed the Commission's attention to the Memorandum concerning the legality of the Heritage Preservation ordinance prepared by the Village Attorney. The Chair used this memorandum to draw parallels to environmental legislation being considered and the concept of taking or limiting the private use of property by government without compensation. Committee Appointments. John Telfer offered the name of Mrs. Roger (Helen) Taylor, 5737 Drew Avenue for an appointment at the Water Resourse Committee. The Chair accepted the name in nomination and upon a second from the floor, the nomination was approved unamiously. Page Three ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION November 5, 1973 Regular Meeting NEW BUSINESS Proposed State Environmental Impact Statement. The Chair presented the draft of the State regulations on Environmental Impact Statements to the Commission and requested comments. John Telfer stated he had reviewed the document with the help of members of the Audubon Society and had several changes to recommend. The changes were as fol- lows: Art. IV, Subd. B. 2(b) (3), have the following added thereto: "unless such activity would have an adverse effect on the environment". Art. IV, Subd. B, add a definition of "Mitigation". Art. V, Subd. D, change to read "Agencies shall either endeavor Art. VI, Subd. B(1) (1), changed to read "The application of . . .". Art. VI, Subd. B(2) (b), add "13. Consumption of a non-renewable natural resource". Art. VI, Subd. C(4) (b), add the following sentence to the beginning of the paragraph. "The responsible agency or person shall be required to determine and report on substantial changes which are made." Art. VIII, Subd. C(2), sentence 3 be changed to read: "Many major actions stimu- late or induce secondary social, ecological or economical effects." Art. IX, Subd. B(2), the requirement of 500 signatures is perhaps too large a /,' number to be required to forcean EIS. -e 144" I") '"'"'..'"`' Ron Hays voiced concern over the apparent exemption of metallic mining opera- tions not being required to file a mandatory EIS. Discussion was held on these items as they were presented. The Chair suggested this matter to be continued until the next meeting to give further opportunity for the Commission to consider the draft and respond. Mr. Hays went into detail on many of the problem areas and ramifications of an EIS requirement he foresees as a result of his personal experience as a consultant Page Four ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION November 5, 1973 Regular Meeting in this area. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting to be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Gary West