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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-02-24 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA Edina Environmental Quality Commission Monday, February 24, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. II. Approval of the January 6 and January 27, 1975, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business: A. Open Space Report. B. Returnable Containers Resolution. C. Lowry Hill Enterprises Rezoning from R-1 to PRD-5. IV. New Business: A. PCA Noise Regulations. 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, FEBRUARY 24, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: Virginia Scott Donald Johnson John Telfer Ronald Hays James Bentley William Poehler Paul Mucke Clifford Johnson II. Approval of the January 6 and January 27, 1975, EQC Minutes: Mr. Bentley moved and Mr. Mucke seconded the approval of the January 6, 1975, EQC minutes. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Bentley moved and Mr. Mucke seconded the approval of the January 27, 1975, EQC minutes. All voted aye. Motion carried. III. Old Business: A. Open Space Report. Mr. Hughes explained that a tour of the Open Space sites has been scheduled for Saturday, March 1. The EQC, Planning Commission, Park Board, and Council have been invited. Mr. Hughes explained that because of this tour and since the Park Board has requested more time to review the report, the Council will delay action on the matter for about a month. Mr. Hays moved that consideration of the Open Space Report be tabled until after the tour. Mr. Bentley seconded the motion. Mrs. Scott reported that she had reviewed past council actions on Krahl Hill in that it had been suggested that the hill be acquired in a manner similar to the proposal for Victorsen's hill. She reported that the Council had previously denied an apartment proposal for Krahl's hill and expressed her opinion that it was doubtful such a plan would now be accepted. Mr. C. Johnson clarified that the apartment proposal was rejected because of the neighbor's objections. He indicated that the Council may now take a different attitude toward the apartment plan. The EQC further discussed the merits of Krahl's hill as well as their role in reviewing the financial aspects of the report. Chairman Johnson recalled Mr. Hays' motion to table the matter until after the tour. All voted aye. Motion carried. B. Returnable Containers Resolution. Mr. Telfer presented a resolution which he prepared in support of returnable containers legislation. Mr. Mucke stated that while he approves of the preamble, the resolution itself sounds as if a poll has been taken in the City and .a majority of the citizens are in favor of such legislation. After further discussion, Mrs. Scott suggested that the phrase "on behalf of the citizens of Edina and in the interests of the State of Minnesota" be removed and "City of Edina" be inserted. 2-24-75 EQC Minutes, page 2 Mr. Hughes presented a paragraph on that part of the resolution concerning recycling. The commission agreed that this paragraph should be substituted for the original paragraph with one revision. Mr. Hays moved the acceptance of the above noted revisions of the resolution. Mr. Telfer seconded. All voted aye. Mr. Telfer moved the adoption by the EQC of the resolution as revised. Mrs. Scott seconded. All voted aye. Mr. Hays moved that a letter to the governor be drafted for the mayor's signature and Council approval based upon the above resolution and stating support of returnable container legislation. He further moved that copies of the letter be sent to those legislators representing Edina, the chairmen of the appropriate House and Senate committees, and the authors of the returnable containers bill. Mr. Bentley seconded. All voted aye. C. Lowry Hill Enterprises. Rezoning from R-1 to PRD-5. Mr. Hughes presented plans for a proposed apartment building at the corner of Cahill Road and Dewey Hill Road. He stated that the proposal is for a five story apartment building containing 276 units. The proposed density is 12 units per acre which conforms with the Soutwest Edina Plan. Mr. Hughes recalled that the proposal had been brought to the EQC on November 25, 1974. At that time, the .EQC agreed to table the matter until the Planning Commission had reviewed it. Mr. Hughes reported that two meetings had been held with residents of South- west Edina and with the developers. He noted that the residents were generally opposed to the proposal because of its height (5 stories). The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal at its January, 1975 meeting. They continued the request for rezoning to the February meeting, noting that the basic dilemma facing them was weighing the respective advantages of a five story versus a three story apartment building. The EQC, thereupon, reviewed plans for the proposal. Mr. Hughes noted that a five story proposal will result in the preservation of more open space on the site as compared with a three story building. He also noted that a five story structure would be of better quality since it would be concrete construction. Mr. Hughes recommended concept approval for the reasons above and because the proposal treats the environmental features of the site in a reasonable manner. The EQC then compared the proposal with a three story proposal previously approved for the site. It was noted that the three story concept resulted in more site coverage. After reviewing the effect of the proposal on surrounding houses, Mr. Hays moved that the proposal be approved in concept. Mr. Mucke seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. IV. New Business: A. Proposed P.C.A. Noise Regulations. 2-24-75 EQC Minutes, page 3 Mr. Hughes presented proposed state regulations relating to motor vehicle noise limits and permits for noise sources. He stated that a hearing will be held on February 26, 1975, at which time oral or written comments may be presented regarding the regulations. Mr. Hughes briefly outlined the proposed standards and regulations. He stated that while he agrees with the proposed standards and also the regulations relating to motor vehicles, it was felt that certain terms in the section dealing with permits were poorly defined. Mr. Hughes suggested that a letter be prepared for the mayor's signature supporting the regulations but requesting clarification on the definitions of "highways and roads" and "modification". He further suggested that non-state aid city streets be exempt from the regulations. Lengthy discussion followed concerning "grandfathering" the regulations to cover existing noise sources. The Commission also discussed potential circumstances in which an existing noise source already exceeds the standards is modified such that a noise permit would be required. Mrs. Scott moved to accept the standards and request that the above noted definitions be clarified. Further discussion followed, at which time it was generally agreed that staff should request clarification of the definitions. Mrs. Scott withdrew her motion. Mr. Hughes pointed out that if a formal comment were desired such would have to be made prior to March 20. The Commission agreed that if staff's communication with the P.C.A. so warranted, a special meeting could be called to prepare a recommendation on the legislation. V. Reports. A. Committee Reports. Mrs. Scott reported that she had held several meetings with various groups concerning beautification projects in the City. It had been suggested that flowering crab apple trees be planted along the major highways in the City such as had been done with lilacs in St. Louis Park. Mrs. Scott also indicated that groups, such as high school classes, could participate in such a project. Mr. Hays suggested that the people consulted by Mrs. Scott be formed into a committee to prepare a written report for the EQC. All generally agreed. B. Watershed District Proceedings. No report. VI. Other Business: A. Mr. Telfer moved that smoking not be allowed at meetings of the Environmental Quality Commission. Mr. Bentley seconded. All voted aye except Mrs. Scott and Mr. Mucke, who voted nay. Motion carried. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. None. VIII. Adjournment. Mr. Mucke moved that the 2-24-75 EQC meeting be adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Mr. Telfer seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried.