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01/22/02 LCEC AgP Notice Land Conservation & Environment Committee Will meet Tuesday, January 22, 2002 At 5:45 P.M. at City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 A G E N D A 1. Approval of Minutes of October 16, 2001 2. Reports ? Vacant Land Inventory (Dickel) ? MCWD Study Group (Woodruff) ? Update on Progress of Gideon Glen (Nielsen) ? Discuss Co. Rd. 19 Corridor Plan (Nielsen) ? Discuss Draft Outline for Conservation Open Space Plan 3. Set Meeting Dates and Times 4. Adjournment Notice Land Conservation & Environment Committee Will meet Tuesday, January 22, 2002 At 5:45 P.M. at City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes of October 16, 2001 2. Reports • Vacant Land Inventory (Dickel) MCWD Study Group (Woodruff) • Update on Progress of Gideon Glen (Nielsen) • Discuss Co. Rd. 19 Corridor Plan (Nielsen) • Discuss Draft Outline for Conservation Open Space Plan 3. Set Meeting Dates and Times 4. Adjournment • • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMITTEE (LCEC) MEETING 5:45 P.M. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2001 MINUTES CONVENE LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Chair Schmid called the meeting to order at 5:50 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Committee Members Woodruff, Kircher, Schmid, Berndt, Pini, and Downs; Consultant Dan Dickel; and Planning Director Nielsen Absent: Committee Member Ranallo and City Council Liaison Mayor Love 1. Approval of the Minutes of August 14, 2001 Woodruff moved, Berndt seconded to approve the Minutes of August 14, 2001. Motion passed 6/0. Director Nielsen introduced new Committee Member David Downs. As an Environmental Health and Safety Program Consultant, Downs was pleased to join the group and further promote its mission. • 2. Reports A. Vacant Land Inventory Dickel passed out several Shorewood parcel maps delineating the various pieces of land within the Shorewood City limits. With these in hand, he explained that tonight's focus would largely entail the eastern and southeastern portions of the community. Having covered most of the western portions of Shorewood in August, he wanted to touch on the large parcels at the west end of Smithtown Road this evening and move on to the east. Dickel emphasized the strong potential for pursuing a conservation easement on this natural undeveloped 40 acres of property. Watching for an opportunity, an easement here could lend itself well for a natural interpretive area. While contact with the owner was made over several years ago, it would be worthwhile to get in touch once again to present a more concrete vision. To mention a few, Dickel spoke of parcels by number including: #98 and #100 City owned; #102 channel access by the Lake Virginia Association; #90-92 roughly 10 acres off Smithtown, which as of yet has not been developed, but will potentially be sold at a higher cost than the City can afford. He added that from #301 to #319 along Covington Road, there exists a great deal of canopy worth preserving via easements; Dickel mentioned #290, a twenty acre site north of Waterford, containing wetlands, canopy and in tact big trees. Finally, Dickel noted that #513 off the end of Mill Street provides another opportunity for a restorative effort. This 1880's prairie farmhouse is virtually original, and occupied by a resident who grew up there. • After speaking briefly with her, Dickel believed the owner would probably be most happy with preserving this landmark, than seeing it developed. Dickel strongly encouraged the City to contact her and look into . placing this residence on the historic home registry. He stated that there are few of these landmarks left reflecting our nations great history so vividly. On a general scale, Dickel pointed out that the designated wetlands are fairly well protected at this time. He added that after analyzing the parcel map with Director Nielsen, even some of the vacant lands are less important to pursue than the underdeveloped parcels out there. Director Nielsen reminded the Committee of its original intent. He maintained that this is just the first step, identifying the potential for conservation. By investigating these larger underdeveloped areas, the Committee can determine whom to approach, and hopefully, appeal to them based on what attracted them to their properties in the first place. The Committee is also charged with educating the public about land conservation, and the forms its takes. He continued that the Committee must then develop a plan for conserving as much land as possible. Ideally, while the Committee would like people to gift their conservation easements, instances of conservation purchase incentives are possible. However, it is far less likely the City can afford the outright purchase of property. Another option may be to identify key parcels we wish to obtain, put these together on a bond referendum for the public to vote on, and purchase them in that way if the community values their importance. Similarly, Nielsen noted, it is important to educate property owners that there are benefits to them donating their conservation easements. Further legislative initiatives warranting greater financial advantage to do this was suggested. At this time, however, some property owners can claim the donation as a charitable contribution and shelter the gift in other ways. Nielsen maintained that getting the word out to people that these options exist is of utmost importance. The hope is that there are owners out there who want to keep their land in tact. • Nielsen suggested that pamphlets and cover letters be developed and sent out to both landowners and vacant landowners identifying the options and benefits with this opportunity. By offering this resource packet, hopefully, these candidates will respond and pursue conservation easements on their own. Berndt asked whether this information could be put in the newsletter and on the website. Nielsen felt this was a good idea and would provide the City with the opportunity to link people to other resources on the subject. Woodruff went on to suggest that members of the Minnesota Land Trust be invited to speak to potential landowner candidates at an Open House. Chair Schmid asked what the timeline would be to accomplish these goals. Nielsen indicated that while the Committee's Mission Plan is due in June, the next couple of months could be used to assemble the packets and cover letters, which would then go out after the first of the year. Downs asked whether there was incentive to do this by the end of the current year for tax purposes. While Nielsen and Dickel like the idea they maintained there simply was not enough time. B. MCWD Study Group Woodruff noted she had much to report, with inadequate time to do so this evening. She did report however, that the MCWD would soon be debating a 50-foot setback from lakes, streams, and wetlands. Woodruff will give a further update at the next LCEC meeting. C. Update on progress of Gideon Glen Nielsen's report was postponed until November. • 3. Set Meeting Dates and Times - November 27, 2001, 5:45 P.M. • 4. Adjournment Citing no objection, Chair Schmid adjourned the LCEC meeting of October 16, 2001 at 6:53 P.M. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary • • ~ Inside This Issue... ~I qgt / Letter From the Chair 1 Wetland Heath Evaluation Project 1 Hennepin Conservation District New Pamerships for HCD ' 2 6900 Wedgwood Road, #140 HCD river Monitoring & stewardship s Maple Grove, Minnesota 55311 Pain Gard- Projects 4 (763) 420-2157 Ehn & Pioneer-Sarah Creek Mngmt Plans 7 fax: (763) 494-3176 email: hcd@hcd.hennepin.mn.us web page: www.hcd.hennepin.mn.us 1*,`,rtx,r>E-D1Ci f 5 l L a U V l BRAD NIELSEN, PLANNER CITY OF SHORE14V OD , 5755 COUNTRY CLUB-RD JAM 1 2002 EXCELSIOR MN{ 55331-8[S927 t - - it loll 11111111111111.1111111/11111111111Y_1111tl 111111 Printed on recycled paper with a minimum of 10% post consumer waste Upcoming Events Conservation Events in Hennepin Count Road Salt Symposium.. February 1, 2002; 8A0 am-4:30 pm. Location: Freshwater Institute, Navarre, MN.. Learn about the toxic effects of road salt on natural resources Registration is $50.00 by January 2,O ' , $70 for late registration. Continental breakfast, lunch and social hour are included in the registration fee.' For registration. contact Fortin` Consulting ' at 763-478--360 Shoreline and water Garden Desi Classes., March 9, 2002; 9 ,am-3 pm. gCD Board of Supervisors ` Location: Freshwater. Institute, Navarre, air Karen Johnson District 3 Brooklyn Park MN. Learn how to create a beautiful Su ervisor Jean Coleman District 1 Minneapolis natural area at your. shoreline or design a Sup rvisor C. Joseph Newberg District 2 Minneapolis' water garden for your patio or yard. Reg- Sup rvisor Sever Peter?on District4 Eden Prairie istrati.on is $20 (includes lunch). For Su isor Leigh Harrod District 5 .'Excelsior registration, contact Jeanne Prok at 952- . H D 471-9773 or Jeanne@freshwater.org lyn Dindorf, Limnologist Roel Ronken, Conservation Tech. Durgunoglu, Engineer Ellen Sones, Sr. Environmentalist . Region IV En rot on. Steve Hobbs, Manager Theresa Stasica, Office Administrator Location MN Landscape Arboreteum. Donovan Koxvold GIS Coordinator David Thill, Conservation specialist Holly Stein, GIS Technician . Jim Kujawa, Water Resource Specialist • Teachers ,please "eontace HCD by Febru- Ti, Reese, Environmental Ed. coord. Terrence zapzalka, conservation Tech. ary 1 st to register for this annual environ- mental learning opportunity. 763-420-2157 nm Hennepin Conservation District 8 • • •