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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-03-31 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA Edina Environmental Quality Commission Monday, March 31, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. II. Approval of February 24, 1975, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business: A. Open Space Report. B. Edina Green. IV. New Business: A. Morningside Improvement Project. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports. B. Watershed District Proceedings. C. Returnable Container Resolution. D. PCA Noise Regulations. VI. Other Business: VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. VIII. Adjournment. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION HELD MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: Virginia Scott Clifford Johnson John Telfer William Poehler James Bentley Barbara Casselman Paul Mucke Mrs. Edwin Wang Donald Johnson II. Approval of the February 24, 1975, EQC Minutes. Mr. Telfer suggested that the third sentence of the last paragraph on page 2 be reworded as follows: "After reviewing the effect of the five story proposal on surrounding houses, Mr. Hays moved that the five story proposal be approved in concept." Mr. Telfer moved approval of the February 24, 1975, EQC minutes as corrected. Mr. C. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye. III. Old Business: A. Open Space Report. Mr. Hughes recalled that at the February 24, 1975, EQC meeting, it was agreed to postpone action on the open space report until after the March 1, 1975, tour of the open space sites. Members of the EQC, Planning Commission, Park Board, and City Council attended this tour. Mr. Hughes reported that the Park Board reviewed the report at its February meeting. The Park Board agreed to use the report in preparing a park capital improvement plan which will be discussed at the April 21, 1975, Council meeting. Mr. C. Johnson reported that the Planning Commission considered the report at its March 26, 1975, meeting. The Planning Commission agreed that the following should be deleted from the report: 1. Krahl's Hill - would be inappropriate since the property is in litigation. 2. Moore Property on Mirror Lake - of questionable value as recreational open space and should therefore be replaced by the Hansen subdivision park. 3. Rutledge Park House - not open space and should be acquired by the Park Department. 4. McCauley Trail - out of the way, not needed, not useable, least desirable. 5. Melody Lake - too small and too far'removed. Mr. Johnson also noted that the property by the Villa Way apartments on 3-31-75 EQC Minutes, page 2 Vernon Avenue was suggested for acquisition by the Planning Commission. After lengthy discussion concerning the Planning Commission recommendation as well as the uses of open space land, Mrs. Scott moved that the EQC accept and approve the open space report in its entirety and recommend to the Council that the recommendations of the report be implemented. Mrs. Casselman seconded the motion. All voted aye except Mr. C. Johnson who voted nay. Mr. Johnson explained that he voted in favor of the Planning Commission recommendation and must be consistent with that vote. During the course of the discussion, problems of siltation in Lake Cornelia were discussed. Mr. C. Johnson noted that the depth of Lake Cornelia was 13 feet when he first moved to the area 18 years ago. Mr. Hughes reported that soundings made the past week revealed an 8 foot depth. Mr. D. Johnson moved that yearly measurements be taken to determine the rate of sedimentation. Mrs. Scott seconded the motion. All voted aye. B. Edina Green. Mr. Hughes recalled that the EQC considered the preliminary plat and rezoning request at its October, 1974, meeting. He noted that the EQC recommended denial of the proposal because the lots were too small, some lots were placed on poor soils, and one lot was placed in the floodplain. The EQC also suggested storm water basins be included in the project. Mr. Hughes presented revised plans for the area. Lots had been increased in size as requested by the EQC. Lots now averaged about 15,000 square feet. The duplex lot which formerly had lain entirely in the floodplain was realigned such that an adequate building site was present. The two lots formerly exhibiting soil problems were also realigned. In addition, storm water ponds were shown. After review of the plans, Mrs. Scott moved that the preliminary plat and rezoning be approved contingent upon compliance with the floodplain ordinance. Mr. Telfer seconded the motion. All voted aye. IV. New Business: A. Morningside Improvement Project. Mr. Hughes presented a feasibility report and memo prepared by the City Engineer regarding the Morningside project. This project would include the construction of curb and gutter, sidewalks, new street surfacing, and storm sewers for the entire Morningside area. It was also reported that a public hearing had been held on March 10 con- cerning these improvements. At this hearing the residents generally agreed that something had to be done in the Morningside area. It was agreed that a second hearing should be held in July. Mr. Hughes advised the EQC that the status of the project depended mainly upon the desires of the effected' property owners. He recommended that the City assume a policy, however, of saving every tree possible during construction. 3-31-75 EQC Minutes, page 3 The EQC, thereupon, viewed slides showing many of the problem areas in Morningside. It was noted that many of the boulevards in the area were very narrow and the anticipated construction would likely necessitate removal of many trees. After further discussion, the EQC generally agreed with the staff's assessment that the improvements to the area depended upon the desires of the residents. The EQC also agreed that the City assume a policy of saving every tree possible in the area during construction. Mr.. Telfer also urged that the residents of the area be made aware of all possible alternatives to the project. V. Reports. A. Committee Reports. 1. Mrs. Scott presented the names of the individuals who had been working on a beautification project in the City: Mrs. Robert Arend, Mr. Art Nelson, Mrs. Edward Brehm, Mr. George Swanson, Dr. William Anderson, Mrs. Carolyn Dencker. Mrs. Scott requested that these people serve as a committee for the purpose of preparing a report on beautification. Mr. C. Johnson moved the establishment of a committee comprised of the above noted individuals. Mr. Telfer seconded the motion. All voted aye. Mrs. Scott reported on ideas suggested by members of the committee for beautification projects. She was asked to pursue those matters further. B. Watershed District Proceedings. Mr. Hughes reported that the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District considered a storm sewer project in southeastern Edina at its last meeting. No action taken. C. Returnable Containers Resolution. Mr. Hughes reported that the resolution was presented to the Council at its March 3, 1975, meeting. Members of the Council had indicated that there were pros and cons to returnable container legislation and it might be appropriate to hold a public hearing on the matter in the future. The resolution was tabled by the Council. D. P.C.A. Noise Regulations. Mr. Hughes reported that telephone conversations and meetings had been held with PCA staff, highway department 'staff, and personnel from other cities regarding the noise regulations. It appeared that most of the concerns of the EQC had been forwarded to the PCA by other agencies. Thus a special. meeting had not been called as discussed at the February 24, 1975 meeting. VI. Other Business: 3-31-75 EQC Minutes, page 4 A. Mr. Telfer stated that he had completed a report on"environmental liability insurance". He asked that this report be copied and sent to each EQC member in the April packets. All agreed. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard - none. VIII. Adjournment. Mr. Mucke moved the adjournment of the March 31, 1975, EQC meeting. Mr. Telfer seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. GH:ln