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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-07-29 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesEDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION AGENDA Monday, July 29, 1974 Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. II. Approval of the June 24, 1974, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business: A. Edina Recycling Center B. Melody Lake - oral report IV. New Business: A. Removal of Cottonwoods on City Property B. Committee Appointments C. Administration of Floodplain Ordinance D. Soil Erosion Standards V. Reports: A. Committee Reports B. Watershed District Proceedings C. Chemical Treatment of City Ponds D. Folke Victorsen Rezoning VI. Other Business: VII. Others Wishing to be Heard VIII. Adjournment. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE • EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COHMISSION HELD MONDAYD JULY 29, 1974, EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: Donald Johnson, Chairman Jim Bentley, Vice Chairman Paul Mucke Cliff Johnson Fred Richards John Telfer Ron Hays Bob Sandilla (arrived 9:30 p.m.) Staff present: Gordon Hughes, Environmental Planner Debby Donley, Staff Secretary Approval of the June 24, 1974, Minutes After the correction of deleting Fritz Reid and adding Fred Richards in the roll call, the motion to approve the June 24, 1974, minutes was made by Jim Bentley and seconded by Paul Mucke. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Ron Hays arrived. III. Old Business A. Edina Recycling Center Mr. Hughes reported that a discussion was held with persons involved in the recycling center, and Metto Recycling concerning its present operation, operations in other cities in the area, and future solid waste disposal systems. Mr. McDonald of Metro Recycling made the following points regarding future operation of the Edina Recycling Center: 1. Metro Recycling is willing to assume full responsibility for a manned re- cycling center which would operate daily, Tuesday thru Saturday. 2. From the City of Edina, Metro would require: a. A location to park the recycling trailer b. Snow removal on roads to the center and on the area surrounding the center c. A shelter and restroom facilities for their employee. 3. Edina must find a 35-40 foot trailer that can be used at least temporarily at the center. Discussion was held on the possibility of obtaining a trailer via donations, other means of getting matching funds for this trailer and also with the $350 that the Garden Club donated to the Center. It was the consensus of the EQC that it should not be actively involved in the search for the trailer. Further discussion was held on putting containers in apartment buildings in Edina. Mr. Hughes reported he contacted seven apartments and one stated they already had such a program, one said no, five had no objection. Mr. Bentley indicated he would invite personnel from Hennepin County to'talk to the Commission regarding plans for handling solid waste in the futUre. He would try for•the September meeting. ' B. 114121ZLtkallralBeg-----2EL Mr. Hughes reported that the Highway Department has been contacted by the City, Nine Mile Creek Watershed and DNR concerning sedimentation o He feels that no further action should be taken on this subject and sees no future problem in this area. Discussion was held and Don Johnson asked Mr. Hughes to find out what was EQC - July 29, 1974 Page 2 the real cause and was there any damage to the Lake. Mr. Telfer suggested that Nt. Hughes talk to Bob Dunn and see about writing something into construction specs requiring certain types of preventative methods. Further discussion was held and Mr. Telfer and the Water Resource Commtttee will look into this and see if anything has been done in other municipalities and see about casualty insurance for such projects. IV. New Business A. Istrat22ralsfgpSson_ieosktsuLCIativi.2Pr t Discussion was held at which time Mr. Hughes recommended that cottonwoods be removed only on a case by case complaint basis and that only the offensive, seed producing trees be removed, and to protect nesting wildlife such nuisance trees should be felled only between August 1 and April 1. Also that cottonwoods in Bredesen Park should not be removed in that they comprise an important part of that natural system. Mr. Richards expressed his opinion that he is not in favor of removing any trees. After further discussion about removing the small new cottonwoods, Mr. Fred Richards moved that Mr. Hughes advise Mr. Ken Rosland that the Commission has considered and reviewed the problem and that the Commission as a policy discourages cutting down of any trees other than diseased, dead or dying trees on City property. Mr. Macke seconded and all voted aye. Motion carried. B. Committee Appointments Mr. Donald Johnson reported that a Chairperson was needed for the Air, Noise and Transportation Committee. The matter was deferred until more people were present. Other committees are as follows: Solid Waste Committee, Chairperson Jim Bentley Members: Barbara Casselman Virginia Bodine Nancy Grinsly Water Resources Committee, Chairperson John Telfer Members: D. T. Johnson Mrs. George Taylor Nancy Carlson Mrs. Roger Taylor Committees that are unknown as far as persons on the committee are: Land Resources, Air Pollution and Education Committees. No further discussion was held. Mr. Fred Richards left the meeting. C. Administration of Floodplain Ordinance Mr. Hughes reported that some clarification regarding administration of the flood- plain ordinance is requested and questions have arisen as to the conditions under which an application for a special permit should be requested. The Ordinance indicates that "No land use shall be changed, nor shall any obstruction be changed in its use or be constructed, erected, added to, altered, placed or done, if such use or obstruction is wholly or partly in a flood plain... unless a special permit is first obtained pursuant to this ordinance". After a short discussion Mr. Hughes EQC - July 29, 1974 Page 3 recommended that a special permit should be required only if a building, an. accessory use, or any other obstruction will be totally or partially on the flood plain. When a developer indicates that no fill or obstructions will be placed in the flood plain, such should be included as a stipulation on the building permit. The consensus of the EQC was that this was a proper application of the ordinance. It was further agreed that the change in land use noted by the ordinance was considered as a change in zoning. D. Soil Erosion Standards Mr. Hughes recommended that standards be developed regarding the administration of the Soil Erosion Ordinance. Sections 4 and 5 of the ordinance state that an erosion control plan is required for any land disturbing activities except home gardening, home landscaping, repairs, maintenance work, and those land disturbing activities which in the judgement of the City Planner will not result in significant soil erosion or the movement of significant amounts of sediments. Mr. Hughes reported that after meeting with personnel from the Soil Conservation Service, he prepared certain criteria. After further discussion Mr. Hays stated he would like a comment from the City Attorney and Don Johnson would like research done on other cities' ordinances and see what they have done. Mr. D. Johnson stated the consensus of the Commission was that further study should be made to develop criteria that are less arbitrary. Robert Sandilla arrived at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Hays suggested making a survey of the vacant land in Edina and then making a decision on the land regarding soil erosion and other environmental problems prior to development of such land. Mr. Hays asked that Mr. Hughes begin a survey of the land and bring results to the Commission for their discussion. Mr. Hughes will report at the next meeting. V. A. Committee Reports Mr. John Telfer reported on a few questions regarding the dredging of Minnehaha Creek in connection with the cooperative powers agreement. 1. Where will the spoils go? 2. How will the natural creek bed be determined? 3. Will the problem of future sedimentation be solved and how will it be solved? Mr. Hughes will try to get some questions answered from Hickok 6z Associates. Mr. Telfer reported that the permit to dredge must be obtained from DNR. Mr. Hughes stated that the public hearing on this project with Minnehaha Creek will be September 11, Minnetonka City Hall, at 7:30 p.m. and that he will attend. Ho other committee reports. At this time Mr. Telfer brought up a couple of problems, one regarding the dumping behind the fire station and also the hill across from the station is eroding and motorcycles are using it. Also Mr. Telfer questioned the Nine Mile Village in the same area. Mr. Hughes reported that they will be putting in the ponding area after they have built the last house and that it must be in conformance with their plan submitted at the time of rezoning. Mr. Hughes will check on the pond that will be by the tennis courts. EQC - July 29, 1974 Page 4 Bo Watershed District Proceedings Minnehaha Creek Watershed District - None. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District - Mr. Hughes reported that a permit to cross the creek with power lines by NSP has been approved and will be done in late fal)t or early winter. C. Chemical Treatment of City Ponds Mr. Hughes reported that the permit for treatment of City ponds has been denied by DNR and he will study the matter and bring further information to the Commission at the next meeting. D. Folke Victorsen Rezoning Mr. Hughes stated that Mr. Luce had written a memo to the Planning Commission and Council explaining that he had erred in making the report regarding the recommendations of the EQC. He corrected his statement that the EQC recommended denial of project, not approval, because of the single family development on the side of the hill. VI. Other Business Chairman D. Johnson brought up the letter he received from Mr. Bolke of the Edina Jaycees. He stated that no further action would be taken as of yet, but Mr. Hughes would try to answer the letter. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard - None. VIII. Adjournment Mr. Cliff Johnson moved and Paul Mucke seconded that the meeting be adjourned. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. GH/dd