Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-04-28 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA Edina Environmental Quality Commission Monday, April 28, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. II. Approval of the March 31, 1975, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business: IV. New Business: A. Shadow Hill Center (Robert E. Hanson). Generally located at the northeast corner of the Crosstown Highway and County Road 18. B. Whiteman Addition. Generally located between Blake Road and Mirror Lake. C. Colonial Church of Edina. Generally located north of the Crosstown Highway and south of Olinger Boulevard. D. Environmental Insurance Report. 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, APRIL 28, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: Donald Johnson Astrid Wang Clifford Johnson James Bentley Paul Mucke Barbara Casselman John Telfer Ronald Hays II. Approval of the March 31, 1975, EQC Minutes. Mr. C. Johnson moved approval of the March 31, 1975, EQC minutes. Mr. Mucke seconded the motion. All voted aye. III. Old Business: None. IV. New Business: A. Colonial Church of Edina. Chairman Johnson requested that the Colonial Church's rezoning proposal be considered first in that several representatives of the church were already present. All agreed. Mr. Hughes reported the Colonial Church is requesting a rezoning to PRD-1 on the property currently owned by the Pemtom Corporation west of the Edina Fire Station and Countryside Park. The property is currently zoned PRD-2 and has an approved plan calling for 72 townhouse units. Mr. Hughes stated that the architects for the church had been asked to consult with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District engineer in that much of the property lies within the flood- plain. Revisions have been made to the plan to bring ft into conformance with the watershed district's regulations. Mr. Hughes introduced Mr. David Griswold of the Colonial Church who in turn introduced Mr. Dick Hamel and Mr. Jim Goulet, architects for the project. Mr. Hamel presented a model and graphics of the proposed project. He indicated that much of the hill on the northern part of the site would be removed for placement of a parking lot. The fill from this area would be placed in a portion of the existing pond for the purpose of locating the structure. Mr. Hamel noted that the church buildings were designed such that they would be compatible with adjacent residential areas. He also noted that berming on the north and west sides of the site would effectively screen the parking lot and some of the buildings from adjacent areas. Mr. Goulet reviewed the revisions to the plan based on discussions with the watershed district. He noted that grades on the southern and eastern portions of the site had been lowered to provide adequate water storage. Total encroach- ment into the floodplain was estimated to be 20 percent. Mr. Telfer expressed his concern regarding the grading of the hill on the site for parking lot purposes. He asked if other alternatives were possible. Mr. Hamel responded that there apparently was no other way to contruct the lot. Mr. Hays asked whether the proposed 20 percent floodplain encroachment included past filling on the site or only that filling occurring because of the project. Mr. Goulet responded that original floodplain conditions as shown on the 1930 topographic maps were used to compute the encroachment. 4-28-75 EQC Minutes Page 2 Mr. Hays requested that information concerning cut and fill, tree removal, and drainage should be available prior to EQC action. Mr. Hamel explained that cut and fill computations were not available at this time since the extent of grading necessary was not yet known. He further stated that construction of the church would necessitate the removal of only one tree. Mr. Hamel also explained the drainage concept of the site noting that the ponds would be used as settling basins and would outlet to Nine Mile Creek. Following further discussion concerning traffic and other effects of the project, Mrs. Casselman moved concept approval of the proposal. Mr. C. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye except Mr. Telfer, who voted nay. B. Shadow Hill Center. Mr. Hughes presented a rezoning request by Mr. Robert Hanson from R-1 to PCD-1 and PCD-2, Planned Commercial District, on property located at Vernon Avenue and Lincoln Drive. The proposal for the site includes a mall front shopping center containing primarily specialty shops, clothing shops, and offices. Mr. Hughes indicated that similar proposals for the site had been denied on several past occasions. Mr. Hays moved that the proposal be tabled for one month until cut and fill and tree removal information could be provided as well as the Planning Commission recommendation. Mrs. Casselman seconded. All voted aye. C. Whiteman Addition. Mr. Hughes presented a 13 lot subdivision proposed by Mr. Clifton Whiteman on a tract of land between Blake Road and Mirror Lake. He explained that the access road to the property would come from Blake Road and eventually tie into West Highwood Drive. Mr. Hughes noted that the property was essentually free of environmental problems. Members of the Commission noted that a portion of the property in question was recommended for acquisition by the Open Space Committee. Mr. Hughes noted that the property could be purchased by the City even if it were platted. He further noted that the property's possible open space use should not be considered as a reason to deny the plat. Preliminary approval was recommended. After the EQC examined the lot sizes of the proposed plat, Mr. Hays moved preliminary approval of the plat. Mr. C. Johnson seconded. All voted aye. D. Environmental Insurance. Mr. Telfer presented a detailed report regarding insurance for environ- mental damages occurring in the City. He noted that according to experts several methods of providing such an insurance program were available. Mr. Telfer asked that the Commission review the report for the purpose of recommending an insurance program to the City Council. 4-28-75 EQC Minutes Page 3 Mr. Mucke questioned Mr. Telfer as to whom would be protected by the insurance. Mr. Mucke noted that liability insurance normally protects the individual causing the damage from civil actions. Mr. Telfer responded that the insurance would be designed to compensate the public or to correct the damage incurred. The EQC thereupon discussed several methods of providing such insurance coverage. It was generally agreed that the public as a whole would ultimately finance such insurance. Mr. Hays commended Mr. Telfer for the report and stated that several of the ideas contained in the report were most intriguing. He suggested that the report be studied in order to firm up specific recommendations for the Council. Mr. Hughes suggested that the report be forwarded to Tom Erickson, the City Attorney, and Jerry Dalen, the City Finance Director, for their comments. The Commission generally agreed. Chairman Johnson recommended tabling the report until the May meeting, at which time Mr. Erickson's and Mr. Dalen's comments will be available. All agreed. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports - none. B. Watershed District Proceedings. Mr. Hughes reported the Nine Mile Creek Watershed discussed sedimentation problems at Point of France. He also reported that the Governing Committee of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will meet on May 1 to discuss the cooperative projects. VI. Other Business: A. Mr. Mucke noted that the May meeting is scheduled for Memorial Day. After discussion, it was agreed to meet on May 28, 1975. B. Chairman Johnson requested that a letter to Bob Sandilla be prepared in that he resigned from the Commission recently and was the EQC's first chairman. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard - none. VIII. Adjournment. Mr. C. Johnson moved adjournment of the April 28, 1975, EQC meeting. Mr. Mucke seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. GH:ln