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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-23 Evironmental Quality Commission Meeting MinutesAGENDA EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 23, 1977, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL I. Roll Call. II. Approval of the April 25, 1977, EQC Minutes. III. Old Business: A. EQC-Planning Commission Consolidation Ordinance. IV. New Business: A. Bredesen Park - Mud Lake Petition to the Nine Mlle Creek Watershed District. B. Wilson 1st Addition. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports. B. Watershed District Proceedings. VI. Other Business. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard, VIII. Adjournment. MINUTES OF THE EDINA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 23, 1977, AT 7:30 P.M. EDINA CITY HALL I. Members Present: John Telfer, Chairman, Clifford Johnson, Del Johnson, Paul Mucke, Ron Hays, Astrid Wang. Staff Present: Gordon L. Hughes, Planning Director, and Nancy Rust, Secretary. II. Approval of the April 25, 1977, EQC Minutes. Mr. C. Johnson moved for approval of the April 25, 1977, EQC Minutes as sub- mitted. Mr. Bentley seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. III. Old Business: A. EQC-Planning Commission Consolidation Ordinance. Mr. Hughes reported the EQC-Planning Commission Ad Hoc Committee had met twice and drafted an ordinance consolidating the EQC and Planning Commission. Following these meetings, Mr. Hughes had proceeded to give the ordinance to the new admini- strative assistant to be reviewed for any legal changes. Mr. Hughes continued that the City Council had heard and reviewed this con- solidation ordinance and subsequently referred it back to both the EQC and Planning Commission for their review and comments prior to the June 6, 1977, Council meeting. He noted, however, that because this ordinance may not have been published in ade- quate time for this June 6, 1977, Council meeting, the City Council may not be able to make a decision on its adoption but will have to continue it to the following meeting. Mr. Mucke felt the word "heretofore" was used incorrectly and should be changed to "hereby." Mr. Hughes said "heretofore" was taken from the current ordi- nance in describing the general function of the commission. In regard to the commission title, Mr. Hughes said that because everything the commission dealt with would not involve physical development, Community Development was a more appropriate name. However, this title was not steadfast and could be changed. In response to Mr. Hays, Mr. Hughes said the statute sections referred to in Section 1 of the drafted ordinance state the general definition of a planning agency as one which advised on matters relating to platting and zoning of land and that reference to those Minnesota Statutes was included as a legality. In response to Mr. Telfer; Mr. Hughes said that while in Section 1 the ordinance does not refer directly to environmental questions, under Section 5 environment-related concerns are written specifically. Following some discussion, Mr. C. Johnson moved the draft be revised as follows: the word "heretofore" in the first line of Section 1 be replaced by "hereby," the second sentence in Section 1 be deleted, the words "In these capacities" be deleted, and the word "consider" under "b" in Section 5 be changed to "review." Following further discussion, Mr. C. Johnson amended his motion to include the recommended changes to the ordinance" • A. The change of "h" under Section 5 to read "Develop and make recommen- dations to•the Council for the purpose of . . ." 5-23-77 EQC Minutes, page 2 B. Delete the words "As appropriate" under "j" of Section 5. C. Change "h" of Section 5 to read ". . . to such matters as the mitiga- tion of air, water, and noise pollution. All voted aye with the exception of Mr. D. Johnson, who voted nay. Motion carried. IV. New Business: A. Bredesen Park - Mud Lake Petition to the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. Mr. Hughes recalled the EQC had reviewed the Bredesen Park Feasibility Report at their April 25, 1977, meeting. Since that time, he had met with Mr. Ray Haik, the attorney for the Watershed District, wherein a Petition was drafted from the City of Edina to be presented to Nine Mile Creek Watershed District to under- take the Bredesen Park Development. Mr. Hughes said that based on the bids re- ceived, the City would order the Watershed District Engineers to prepare a report on the project, send it to the Water Resources Board of the State, and a public hearing would then be scheduled. Mr. Hughes said the City enjoyed a good working relationship with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, as they were sensitive toward Edina's goals, desires, and policies. He felt that the City would maintain control over the project.. Mr. Hughes further stated the District will finance up to 100 percent of the costs relating to water management related facilities, such as the excavation of ponds:the dike and water control structures, 50 percent of all improvements to adjacent land areas, such as the floating walkways and the trail systems, and 25 percent of the total land acquisition for flood plain projects. He felt it was possible for the City to recoup 25 percent of the costs already spent on land acquisition. Mr. Hughes said staff recommended the City proceed with the petition to the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board of Managers, and noted the Watershed District has been anticipating a petition on Bredesen Park since 1961 and have included Bredesen Park in their overall plan. In response to Mr. Hays, Mr. Hughes said the wording of the Petition was very critical and that flexibility was standard for this type of petition. Following short discussion, Mr. C. Johnson moved to recommend the City proceed with the Peti- tion to the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District with the stipulation thatall prelimi- nary, final, and construction plan's shall be subject to review and approval by the City of Edina. Mr. Mucke seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. B. James M. Wilson's First Addition. Mr. Hughes showed the general location. of the proposed subdivision and ex- plained that staff had been working for a long period of time with the owner of the property in order to devise a workable subdivision. He said the property in question is located adjacent to Minnehaha Creek and has a flood plain elevation of 853. He explained that the City and the owner of the property have come to an agreement and the owner has agreed to dedicate to the City'a strip of land ex- tending 100 feet upland from Minnehaha Creek, which is shown as Outlot 1 on the 5-25-77 EQC Minutes, Page 3 proposed subdivision, leaving the remainder of the site as Lot 1. Mr. Hughes further explained the proponent is also requesting the vaca- tion of the west one-half of Zenith Avenue from 120 feet south of West 54th Street to Minnehaha Creek. He said the western half of Zenith Avenue from West 54th Street to 120 feet southerly had been previously vacated. Mr. Hughes stated staff recommended approval of the proposed preliminary plat and petition for the street vacation with the following conditions: 1. The dedication of Outlot 1 to the City of Edina. 2. No fill, structures, or obstructions shall be placed below elevation 853 without the issuance of a special flood plain permit from the City and the approval of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Mr. Hughes further said the lots east of the proposal will not be affected by the proposed street vacation, and that on a square footage basis, the lot is of adequate size. Mr. Mucke moved to recommend approval of James M. Wilson's First Addition subject to the conditions as stated in the staff report. Mr. D. Johnson seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. V. Reports: A. Committee Reports. None. B. Watershed District Proceedings. 1. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. Mr. Hughes reported the Watershed District had reviewed the Bredesen Park - Mud Lake Petition. He also said the annual tour of various parks was conducted on May 2, and included Bredesen Park and Lake Cornelia in Edina. 2. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Proceedings. Mr. Hughes reported the Department of Natural Resources had denied the application for a new water control structure proposed by Minnehaha Creek. VI. Other Business: A. Bredesen Park Fence. In response to Mr. Telfer, Mr. Hughes said the fence around Bredesen Park will be completed upon the placement of top rails on the existing fence. VII. Others Wishing to be Heard. None. VIII. Adjournment. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Rust; Secretary