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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-01-31 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1977, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call. II. Approval of the November 29, 1976, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business. IV. New Business: A. Outlot 1, Iroquois Hills 4th Addition. Declaration of Buildable Lot. B. Edina West High School Athletic Field. Flood Plain Permit. C. Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 1, Nine Mile North Second Addition. Flood Plain Permit and Rezoning. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports. B. Watershed District Proceedings. VI. Other Business. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. VIII. Adjournment. EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1977, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL I. Members Present: Barbara Casselman, Chairman, James Bentley, Ron Hays, Clifford Johnson, Astrid Wang, G. E. McCracken, Paul Mucke, John Telfer, Wendy Weden, Del Johnson. Staff Present: Gordon Hughes, Environmental Planner, and Nancy Rust, Secretary. II. Approval of the November 29, 1976, EQC Minutes. Mr. Telfer moved for approval of the November 29, 1976, EQC Minutes. Mr. Mucke seconded.. All voted aye. Motion carried. III. Old Business: A. Non-Returnable Milk Containers. Mr. D. Johnson said he had asked the Pollution Control Agency to keep him up to date on the issue of non-returnable milk containers. He indicated that the dairy people have apparently split sides on the issue; however, there seemed to be a stronger opinion toward the prohibition of non-returnable milk containers. Mr. Hughes indicated that various bills had been introduced in the legislature regarding this issue. Ne further discussion. IV. New Business: A. Outlot 1, Iroquois Hills 4th Addition. Declaration of Buildable Lot. Mr. Hughes indicated the property in question was Outlot 1 of Iroquois Hills 4th Addition. He recalled that the proponent had plat- ted both the 4th and 5th Additions: the 4th Addition in 1966 into nine single family lots and one outlot. Mr. Hughes further noted that, according to City policy, outlots are consideredunbuildable until the City Council designates otherwise. He said the proponent is request- ing declaration of Outlot 1 as a buildable lot with access off of Valley View Road. Mr. Hughes stated that nearly all of the 4th Addi- tion was located within the flood plain of the Braemar branch of Nine Mile Creek when the property was platted in 1966. He explained that staff of the Watershed District had determined that an excess of 20 percent of the flood plain had been filled when the single family lots on Valley View were developed. Therefore, staff recommended denial of the request in that: 1. The proposal is not in conformance with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District's policies and regulations in that more than 20 percent of the flood plain on the property has already been filled for construc- tion purposes. 2. A flood plain permit would not be issued for the proposed dwelling due to the excessive encroachment. Minutes of the January 31, 1977, EQC Meeting, Page 2 3. The proposed access road provides an inadequate buffer between the road and the creek and apparently no road realignment is possible which would provide a buffer area. Mr. Bentley moved for denial of the request for reasons stated by staff. Mr. D. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. B. Edina West High School Athletic Field. Flood Plain Permit. Mr. Hughes indicated that since 1971, Edina West High School had been having problems with settling on their athletic fields, and at certain times of the year, it became nearly unusable. He said the school has retained Brauer and Associates to formulate a plan which will help improve the area. Mr. Hughes stated nearly all the athletic fields are located within the flood plain of Nine Mile Creek with a flood plain elevation of 852. He indicated that Brauer and Associates have met with the engineers from the Watershed District and staff. The Watershed District was satisfied with the plan as it allows adequate flood storage on the site. Thus, staff recommended approval of the flood plain permit in that the encroachment proposed is necessary to upgrade the fields to usable form and adequate flood storage is pro- vided. However, Mr. Hughes stated that approval be conditional in that the proposed elevations must be lowered by .2 of a foot to bring storage in conformance with Watershed's policies, disturbed areas be re-vegetated within three months following construction, and that ero- sion control measures be implemented along the northerly drainage swale to prevent erosion during construction. Mr. Hays stated the high school had areas of good ground which had been used improperly and indicated that alternate plans were available, but they would require major relo- cation. Mr. Hughes said the proposed plan entails a large amount of sub grade work to correct settling problems. In response to Mr. Hays, Mr. Hughes said the proponent realizes that a dump or spoil site will not be allowed on the site, and that the material brought in will be high quality base material. Mr. C. Johnson moved for approval of the request with conditions presented by staff. Mr. Bentley seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. C. Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 1, Nine Mile North Second Addition. Flood Plain Petwit and Rezoning. Mr. Hughes recalled the EQC had previously reviewed the subdivi- sion proposal of the property in question approximately lk years ago. He indicated the land was platted into six lots, three on the north side and three on the south side of Dovre Drive. Mr. Hughes further stated that three months ago the EQC had approved a lot division for the southerly three lots creating two lots rather than the existing three and approved rezoning of the two lots from R-1 single family to R-2 double bungalow. He said this is a similar request in that the pro- ponent is also requesting a rezoning from R-1 to R-2; however, these three lots are of adequate size to accommodate R-2 zoning. Mr. Hughes said the proponent was also requesting a flood plain permit in order to develop the three lots. Staff recommended approval of the flood plain permit in that it conforms to the Flood Plain Ordinance No. 815, as Minutes of the January 31, 1977, EQC Meeting, Page 3 well as the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District's policies and regula- tions. Staff also recommended approval of the rezoning as the lots are of adequate size for R-2 zoning and is logical transition between an industrial use and single family use; however, Mr. Hughes said approv- al should be conditioned on the use of hay bale dikes to prevent erosion and on re-vegetation of disturbed areas within three months after construction. In response to Mrs. Casselman, Mr. Hughes said the property backs onto City property and is sparsely wooded. The driveways would face unto Dovre Drive. Mr. Mucke moved for approval of the rezoning and the flood plain permit. Mr. C. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Mr. Telfer asked in view of the fact that the EQC had reviewed three flood plain permits for this meeting, is the Nine Mile Creek Water- shed District required to reconsider the 20 percent encroachment rule to determine if this policy is still applicable? He indicated that he would contact John Dickson of Barr Engineering regarding this matter. D. Wallace Kenneth. Generally located east of Lincoln Drive and west of Malibu Drive extended. R-4 Multiple Family Residential District and R-1 Single Family Residential. District to R-4 and R-2 Multiple Residential Districts and R-1 Single Family Residential District. Mr. Hughes stated staff recommended Mr. Kenneth's request for a subdivision and rezoning be tabled for further study. Mr. Telfer moved to continue the request to the February 28, 1977, meeting. Mr. Bentley seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. V. Reports: Mrs. Casselman questioned the item in the November 9, 1976, Park Board Minutes regarding Indian Meadows Trail and asked Mr. Hughes if he could find out more information on it. Mr. Hughes answered he would. Mr. Behtley referred to a memorandum from Mayor Van Valkenburg, specifically the section on commissions, regarding a special City Council meeting to be held on Saturday, February 12, 1977. Mr. Mucke recalled the special meeting was mentioned in the January 3, 1977, City Council minutes with no action taken. Various members of the EQC indicated intent to attend the meeting. No further discussion. A. Criteria Committee. Mr. Bentley said there was nothing to report this month as no meeting was held. B. Watershed District Proceedings. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District: Mr. Hughes reported he had received an annual letter from the Minutes of the January 31, 1977, EQC Meeting, Page 4 President of the District regarding $15,000 available for funding maintenance projects. He reported he had applied for funding for the Edina Mill Pond aquatic weed control and sediment excavation and for erosion control on Zenith Avenue. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District: Mr. Hughes reported they had covered the three flood plain permit requests the EQC heard on this month's agenda; namely, Outlot 1, Iroquois Hills 4th Addition, Edina West High School Athletic Field, and Lots 1, 2, and 3, Block 1, Nine Mile North Second Addition. Also covered, he said, was an item pertaining to a grading permit for excavation of peat on Ohm's Lane in the industrial park. He said it would be subject to Edina approval and would be considered at a future EQC meeting. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard: None. VIII. Adjournment. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Rust, Secretary