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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-03-25 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION AGENDA Monday, March 25, 1974 Conference Room 7:30P.M. I. Roll Call II. Minutes of the January 28 & February 25 meetings. III. Election-of',Officers IV. Old Business A. Soil Erosion Ordinance - Staff B. Tree Removal Ordinance - Staff V. New Business A. Metram Properties Company, R-1 to PRD-3 B. Mr. Folke R. Victorsen, R-1 to PRD-5 C. Mr. Melvin C. Gettelman, R-1 to PRD-3 (Karl Krahl hill) D. Other VI. Committee REports VII. Communications VIII. Others Wishing to be Heard IX. Adjournment EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION Regular Meeting March 25, 1974 City Hall 7:30 PM Chairman Ronald Hays called the meeting to order with the following members present: Virginia Scott Ronald Hays Fritz Reid Clifford Johnson Barbara Casselman Bob Sandilla John Telfer Paul Mucke Jim Bentley Fred Richards Staff present: Gary West Harold Sand The minutes of the January 28, 1974 meeting were approved as read. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Chair announced that according to the bylaws, the Commission elections were to be held yearly, and that the Commission had been waiting until the new members had been appointed by the Council. He then requested nominations from the floor for the office of Chairperson. Clifford Johnson offered the name of Ronald Hays. Virginia Scott moved the nominations cease and unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Hays. Motion seconded by Jim Bentley and carried by unanimous vote. The Chair then opened the nominations for Vice-chairperson. John Telfer offered the name of Don Johnson. Clifford Johnson moved the nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Mr. Johnson. Motion seconded by Virginia Scott and carried by a unanimous vote. The Chair opened the nominations for Secretary. Jim Bentley offered the name of Barbara Casselman. Virginia moved the nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Ms. Casselman. Motion seconded by Clifford Johnson and carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS Soil Erosion Ordinance. Mr. West advised the Commission that the Council had reviewed the proposed Soil Erosion Ordinance and had requested certain changes be made by the City Attorney. He outlined the changes being proposed, and the Commission discussed how they might affect developing property. It appeared to be a consensus that the changes to be made would be acceptable. Therefore, John Telfer moved, with second by Jim Bentley, that the EQC recommend the Council adopt the Soil Erosion Ordinance as prepared by the City Attorney. Tree Removal Ordinance. Mr. West outlined the desires of the Council in their request that, the Tree Removal Ordinance be modified by the City Attorney to make it apply to "undeveloped land" and not require the homeowner to secure a permit for the removal of individual trees on his dwelling site. 3-25-74 EQC Minutes Page 2 John Telfer moved, and Jim Bentley seconded, that the EQC approve the ordinance as presented. The Coiulssion discussed at great length the application of this ordinance to land which may become available for redevelopment and expressed concern that persons redeveloping property might not be required to secure a tree removal ordinance. Fred Richards moved to amend the motion on the floor by adding that the EQC recommend the deletion of Section 9(a) of the ordinance and provide that one designated official would have the authority to approve the removal of a tree by the City. Motion seconded by Barbara Casselman. Following discussion, the amend- ment was approved by a voice vote. The motion, as amended, was approved by a voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Metram Properties Company. Mr. West reviewed the property in question which is located south of West 70th Street and west of Highway 100. He presented his recommendation that since the plans showed open space easements and partial dedi- cation to the City of the property 100' upland from Nine Mile Creek which borders the property on the west, the environment of the area was adequately protected. After a short discussion, Bob Sandilla moved, with Fritz Reid seconding, that the ECC accept the staff report and recommend approval of the proposal. Motion carried. Mr. Folke R. Victorsen. Mr. West presented his staff report on this pro- posal. After considerable discussion between the proponents and the Commission and viewing the preliminary plans for the project, John Telfer moved, with second by Jim Bentley, that the EQC recommend denial of the proposal for the following reasons: the proposal is too high and the density is too great for the site; and, the destruction of trees and visual pollution to the view from the north caused by the mass of the buildings. Motion approved by a vote of 9 aye, 1 nay. General discussion followed the EQC's action for several minutes with several Commissioners expressing that the matter should be decided by the Planning Commission; and that in their personnel opinions, the building was too massive and the density too high. One Commission member spoke in favor of concentration of building on a small portion of the property and leaving the remainder undisturbed. Mt. Melvin C. Gittelman (Karl Krahl Hill). Mr. West introduced Mr. Gittelman who presented the Commission with his proposal for the development of the heavily wooded Krahl Hill property. There followed a lengthy discussion between the pro- ponent, the Comaission and members of the audience. The general reception to the proposal was favorable by the EQC and Jim Bentley moved, with second by Barbara Casselman, that the EQC recommend to the Council and Planning Commission that con- cept. approval be granted. Motion carried by a vote of 9 aye, 1 nay. 3-25-74 EQC Minutes Page 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS The Chair stated that there were openings for two chairmanship positions on standing committees. He asked the new members of the Commission to consider where their interests are for these committee appointments. He stated he would make appointments of chairmen to the Land Resources and Air, Noise and Transporta- tion committees at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned.