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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-01-27 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA Edina Environmental Quality Commission Monday, January 27, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. II. Approval of January 6, 1975, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business. IV. New Business: A. Open Space Report. B. Returnable Containers Resolution. V. Reports. A. Committee Reports. B. Watershed District Proceedings. VI. Other Business: VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. VIII. Adjournment. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION HELD MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: James Bentley John Telfer Clifford Johnson Ronald Hays' Barbara Casselman Paul Mucke Virginia Scott William Poehler Staff Present: Gordon Hughes II. Approval of the January 6, 1975, EQC Minutes: In that the January 6, 1975, minutes were distributed at the beginning of the meeting, the Commission agreed to postpone approval until the February meeting. III. Old Business: A. Although not scheduled on the agenda, Mr. Orin Haugen, 6612 Indian Hills Road, asked to address the EQC concerning Folke Victorsen's request for rezoning. The EQC agreed to hear Mr. Haugen. Mr. Haugen stated that he represented a homeowner's association in the Indian Hills area that wished to have the EQC reconsider its previous action on the Victorsen matter because of the effect of the proposal on the surrounding single family dwellings as well as the departure from the Western Edina Plan in that this area was planned for low density. The EQC re-examined plans for the proposal including site sections. Several members of the Commission pointed out that the proposed apartment would be scarcely visible from any of the single family dwelling areas. Commission members also explained that in their opinions the present proposal was much better from the environmental standpoint than any of the previous proposals. Mr. C. Johnson also clarified that the Western Edina Plan did not specify a density for the Victorsen property lot, but rather designated it as "low density attached dwellings". It was his position that the present proposal conformed with the intent of the plan. Mr. Haugen disagreed, stating that the plan called for 0-4 units per acre and that the present proposal exceeded this density. Mr. Haugen was asked to explain his objections to the proposal as far as environmental features were concerned. He indicated that the apartment would have an adverse impact on the living environment of the surrounding single family homes. He also stated that the proposed density would be undesirable from an environmental standpoint. When asked to suggest an alternative to the apartment concept, Mr. Haugen indicated that the homeowners which he represented would probably accept a townhouse development. After further discussion, no action was taken by the EQC. IV. New Business: A. Open Space Report. 1-27-75 EQC Minutes, page 2 Mr. Hughes stated that the City Council asked the EQC to review the Open Space Report, which was presented at the January 20, 1975, Council meeting. Comments from the EQC, Planning Commission, and Park Board will be reviewed at the March 3, 1975, Council meeting. Mr. Hughes summarized the report, stating that nine parcels totaling 105 acres are recommended for acquisition. Four of the parcels would be•used for active recreation, two for protection of resources, and three as a combination of protection and recreation. The report recommends that three parcels be acquired by subdivision dedication, two by life estates, and four by purchase. The Open Space Committee recommended that the acquisition be financed with a bond issue totaling about $1 million. Mr. Hughes recommended endorsement of the Open Space Report. A slide show was presented which described the method of analysis used by the Committee as well as detailed descriptions of each of the nine open space sites. Mr. Hays noted that several sites poorly suited for development were not among those recommended for acquisition. He noted that because of acquisition of other sites, the development pressures on the poorly suited areas would increase. Mr. Hughes explained that the Committee considered this effect and felt that adequate controls, e.g. the floodplain ordinance, existed which could regulate such development. Mr. Hays also questioned whether the Open Space Committee would propose more open space purchases at a later date. If such were the case, he felt that all anticipated purchases should be included on the present proposal. Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Casselman, both members of the Open Space Committee, responded that large scale future purchases are not anticipated. Future work of the Committee would not be directed at such purchases. Mr. Telfer moved to accept the Open Space Report and recommend it in total to the City Council. Further discussion followed, at which time Mr. C. Johnson noted the possibility of acquiring Krahl's Hill via subdivision dedication similar to that proposed for Folke Victorsen's property. Several EQC members felt that this possibility should be explored. After further discussion, Mr. Telfer withdrew his motion and Mr. Hays moved to accept the report and approve it in concept. Mr. Telfer seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. It was agreed to examine the report in more detail during the upcoming month and prepare a resolution concerning the report at the February meeting. B. Returnable Containers Resolution. Due to the lateness of the hour, it was agreed to postpone consideration of the resolution until the February meeting. V. Reports. A. Committee Reports -- none. B. Watershed Districts' Proceedings -- no report 1-27-75 EQC Minutes, page 3 VI. Other Business -- none. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard -- none. VIII. Adjournment. Mr. Mucke moved that the 1-27-75 EQC meeting be adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Gordon Hughes