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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-05-28 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA Edina Environmental Quality Commission Wednesday, May 28, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Edina City Hall I. Roll Call. Approval of the April 28, 1975, EQC Minutes. Old Business: A. Environmental Insurance. B. Victorsen's Timberview Addition. IV. New Business: A. Iroquois Hills 6th Addition. B. Interlachen Hills 2nd Addition. C. Nine Mile North 2nd Addition. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports. B. Watershed District Proceedings. C. Shadow Hill Center. VI. Other Business: VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. VIII. Adjournment. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1975 EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call: James Bentley Virginia Scott Paul Mucke William Poehler Astrid Wang II. Approval of the April 28, 1975, EQC Minutes. Mrs. Scott moved approval of the April 28, 1975, EQC minutes. Mr. Mucke seconded the motion. All voted aye. III. Old Business: A. Environmental Insurance. Mr. Hughes recalled that at the last EQC meeting it was agreed to forward Mr. Telfer's insurance report to various staff members. Mr. Hughes reported that two professional insurance brokers had reviewed the report and made some preliminary comments. First, they noted that "reasonable" construction occurrences were very difficult to insure. Second, if the policy were held by individual developers, policy exclusions would be difficult to regulate. Third, such insurance would be very expensive. Fourth, any such policy could be written if desired. Mr. Hughes reported that the brokers agreed to submit written reports regarding the insurance for the next EQC meeting. Mr. Bentley noted that since Mr. Telfer was absent,further discussion should be tabled for one month. Mr. Mucke so moved. Mrs. Scott seconded. All voted aye. B. Victorsen's Timberview Addition. Mr. Hughes presented final development plans for Victorsen's Timberview Addition. He noted that the proposal called for a five story apartment building containing 140 units. The final plans were essentially identical to preliminary plans approved at an earlier EQC meeting. Mr. Hughes recommended approval contingent upon more complete landscaping plans. Following review of the final plans, Mr. Mucke moved final plan approval contingent upon more complete landscaping plans. Mr. Poehler seconded. All voted aye. IV. New Business: A. Iroquois Hills 6th Addition. Mr. Hughes presented plans for a four duplex lot subdivision on a 4.1 acre tract bordering on the northwest corner of Braemar Park. He noted that temporary drives were proposed to serve the property until the service road for the County Road 18-39 interchange was complete. Mr. Hughes noted that the entire parcel is within the floodplain of the Braemar branch of Nine Mile Creek. He reported that the watershed district agreed to table the plat until fill information could be obtained. Mr. Hughes recommended denial. 5-28-75 EQC Minutes, page 2 Mrs. Scott moved denial of the plat noting all lots were in the floodplain, substantial floodplain filling would be necessary, and public access to the property was inadequate. Mr. Mucke seconded. All voted aye. B. Interlachen Hills Second Addition. Mr. Hughes presented a preliminary plat for a portion of the Wallace Kenneth ,ruperty located in the northwestern part of the City. He noted that the property in question was currently zoned R-4 Multiple Dwelling District and R-2 Duplex. He explained that the plat requested a 40 unit apartment building on a portion of the R-4 property and six duplex lots on a portion of the R-2 property. Mr. Hughes noted that approximately one-half of the apartment site was in the floodplain of Nine Mile Creek. He reported that the Watershed District had reviewed the plat and granted approval provided that a large garage to be located in the floodplain were elevated on pilings in order to meet the 20 percent encroachment rule. Mr. Hughes explained that the proposal is in accordance with applicable subdivision and zoning ordinances. He noted that compliance with the City's flood- plain ordinance would be required and that the proponent had requested a special meeting of the EQC in two weeks to consider his floodplain permit application. The EQC generally agreed to such a meeting if necessary. Mrs. Scott noted that since the property was already zoned, platting was essentially a legal step over which the EQC has little control. She expressed her concern, however, regarding the construction of buildings elevated on pilings. She noted the undesirable precedent that might be set by such construction. Mr. Hughes noted that such aspects of the proposal could be reviewed in conjunction with the floodplain permit application. Mrs. Scott moved that the EQC submit no recommendation regarding the plat, but rather reserve review for the floodplain permit application. Mr. Mucke seconded. All voted aye. Mr. Hughes agreed to contact EQC members the following week if a special meeting were necessary. C. Nine Mile North Second Addition. Mr. Hughes presented preliminary plans for a six lot subdivision located at the western end of Dovre Drive in the Parkwood Knolls area. He noted that the City Council had authorized a crossing of Nine Mile Creek to Dovre Drive. He further explained that City staff had discussed the location of the creek crossing and exten- sion of Dovre Drive with the owners of the Nine Mile North property, the Rauenhorst Corporation. The proposed plat conformed with staff's recommendations regarding the location of Dovre Drive and the crossing. Mr. Hughes noted that the northern one-third of the subdivision is in the floodplain of Nine Mile Creek. He reported that the Watershed District approved the plat noting that homes could be constructed on all proposed lots without encroaching more than 20 percent into the floodplain. Mr. Hughes also noted that the Nine Mile North parcel had been considered by the Open Space Committee but was not included among those parcels recommended for acquisition. Approval was recommended. Mr. Robert Dunn, City Engineer, reviewed past Council action regarding the Western Edina Circulation Plan. He explained the various alternatives considered for a western exit from the Parkwood Knolls as well as the reasons for selecting the Dovre Drive location. 5-28-75 EQC Minutes, page 3 Mrs. Scott moved preliminary plat approval. Mr. Mucke seconded. All voted aye. V. Reports. A. Mrs. Scott reported that the City Council had scheduled a bond issue referendum for open space and park improvements for September 23, 1975. She noted that all nine open space parcels recommended for acquisition would be included in the referendum. B. Mr. Poehler explained that because of his summer schedule he would be forced to resign from the EQC effective after the June meeting. He noted that he would be prepared to recommend a replacement to the Mayor. C. Watershed District Proceedings. Mr. Hughes reported that the Nine Mile Creek watershed district had committed $25,000 over a two-year period for development of Mud Lake. He also reported on the status of the Minnehaha Creek Cooperative projects. VI. Other Business: none. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard: none. VIII. Adjournment. Mr. Mucke moved adjournment of the May 28, 1975, EQC meeting. Mrs. Wang seconded. All voted aye. • GH:ln 6/3/75