HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-27 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA
EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION
Monday, September 27, 1976, at 7:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall
I. Roll Call
II. Approval of August 30, 1976, EQC Minutes
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
A. Woodlake Nature Center Presentation - by Woodlake Staff
B. Woodbury Park Townhouses. Generally located at the southeast
corner of France Avenue and West 55th Street.
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, SEPTEMBER 27, 1976
EDINA CITY HALL
I. Members Present: John Telfer, Presiding Chairman, Clifford Johnson, James
Bentley, G. E. McCracken, Paul Mucke, Wendy Weden, Vir-
ginia Shaw, Astrid Wang, Del Johnson, and Ron Hays
Staff Present: Gordon Hughes, Environmental Planner, Nancy Rust, Secretary.
II. Approval of the August 30, 1976, EQC Minutes.
Mr. C. Johnson moved approval of the August 30, 1976, EQC Minutes. Mr.
Mucke seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Mr. Telfer commented in regard to page 2 of the August 30th minutes on
Dutch Elm disease and what the Commission could do to help. He felt the Commission
had not asked what they could do as a group but rather what was being done con-
cerning the subject. Mr. Mucke felt volunteering to help was more of an indivi-
dual matter rather than a group matter on what one can do to help with this disease.
Mr. Telfer also commented on page 3 of the minutes in regard to Ryan's Addition.
He felt the EQC did address itself to the environmental problem when making its
decision in that it was felt that the creek would be better protected by denying
the proposed lot division.
III. Old Business.
None.
IV. New Business.
A. Wood Lake Nature Center Presentation - by Wood Lake Staff.
Ann and Dave Johnson, members of the Wood Lake Nature Center staff, were
present to discuss the subject of prairies and how they are related to Wood Lake
and Bredesen Park. They showed a slide presentation on the subject of prairies
from the past to the present.
Ms. Johnson explained that a prairie is a fascinating natural grassland
comprised of a large variety of grasses and flowers. She noted that Edina was
very fortunate to have in its possession a beautiful section of natural prairie
in Bredesen Park because it was so difficult to recreate prairie land consisting
of only natural grasses. Ms. Johnson stated that they were currently developing
a natural prairie land at Wood Lake but that it would take many years to become
established. Ms. Johnson further explained the colors of a prairie will change
every couple of weeks.
The Badlands of South Dakota along with several other areas in the United
States are beginning to realize the beauty and importance of prairies and are
beginning to reproduce and maintain their prairie lands. Ms. Johnson then showed
a map of Minnesota showing the existance of prairies as well as forest and swamp
areas before they were settled. She explained prairies required controlled
burning to maintain their natural condition. They have burned the prairie at
Wood Lake and recommended the same for Bredesen Park. Mr. Hughes said a burning
9-27-76 EQC Minutes, Page 2
at Bredesen Park might be possible next year; however, adequate fire breaks would
be required.
Ms. Johnson went on to say that burning keeps out the European grasses
and weeds but encourages the growth of North American natural grasses. It will
also burn away the dead layer of grass on top. When burning the prairie grass,
the only animals affected are the ground nesting birds. Also, prairies should
be burned in the spring because if it is burned in the fall valuable winter
wildlife cover would be destroyed.
B. Woodbury Park Townhouses. Generally located at the southeast corner
of France Avenue and West 55th Street.
Mr. Hughes explained that the proponent is requesting a rezoning from R-1
single-family residential and R-2 multiple-residential to PRD-2 planned residential.
The subject property is located on the southeast corner of 55th and France Avenue
South in the eastern section of the city. He showed the aerial map of the property
showing the topography which was fairly level. The property is proposed as a
nine-unit townhouse development which would gain access off of 55th Street. There
will be one cluster of four townhouses, one of three, and one of two. A cemetary
abuts the property from the south side and France Avenue is on the west side.
Mr. Hughes recommended approval of the rezoning because the site is a
rather irregular shaped piece of property and the proposed zoning would allow
reasonable use of the site and the development would be one story with sloped
roofs which would make it similar to the single-family dwellings on the north and
west sides of the property. In response to Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Hughes stated that to
his knowledge the owner had not previously requested rezoning of the site. Also,
Mr. Hughes said that across France Avenue from the site there are R-2 uses. On
the north and west sides of the property there are single-family homes. The site
will have approximately four units per acre which is about the same density as
single family, developments. He noted that the development is more or less a single-
family development clustered together which shares common driveways and lawns.
Mr. Hughes said the developer was holding a meeting that night with the residents
in that area concerning the request per staff recommendation. Mr. C. Johnson
moved approval of the request. Mr. D. Johnson seconded. All voted aye. Motion
carried.
V. Committee Reports
A. Criteria Committee
Mr. Hughes distributed a report prepared by Ms. Weden regarding the last
Criteria Committee meeting. In regard to establishing ground rules for city lot
sizes, Mr. D. Johnson stated that at present he has not been able to gather enough
information regarding the subject. Mr. C. Johnson said the housing authorities
are recommending smaller lot sizes as opposed to Edina's wish to maintain the larger
lot sizes. Mr. Hughes said that the Metropolitan Council has developed a model
Site Plan Ordinance which would be interesting for the Committee to look into.
B. Watershed District Proceedings
Mr. Hughes reported that the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District granted a
grading permit for the pond at Olinger Boulevard and Olinger Road which was in-
cluded in the 4-lot subdivision on the northwestern quadrant on Olinger Road and
Olinger Boulevard.
9-27-76 EQC Minutes, Page 2
In regard to Minnehaha Creek, Mr. Hughes stated that he hadn't heard any-
thing regarding the cooperative projects.
VI. Other Business
None.
VII. Others Wishing to be Heard
None.
VIII. Adjournment.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Rust, Secretary