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08/27/02 LCEC AgP Notice Land Conservation & Environment Committee Will meet Tuesday, 27 August, 2002 At 5:45 P.M. at Shorewood City Hall 5735 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 A G E N D A 1. Approval of Minutes of August 13, 2002 2. Review Undeveloped/Underdeveloped Land Inventory (Dan Dickel) 3. Review Conservation Open Space Plan 4. Schedule Next Meeting 5. Adjournment Notice Land Conservation & Environment Committee Will meet Tuesday, 27 August, 2002 At 5:45 P.M. at Shorewood City Hall 5735 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes of August 13, 2002 2. Review Undeveloped/Underdeveloped Land Inventory (Dan Dickel) • 3. Review Conservation Open Space Plan 4. Schedule Next Meeting 5. Adjournment I i • • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMITTEE (LCEC) MEETING 5:45 P.M. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2002 MINUTES CONVENE LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Commissioner Woodruff called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Committee Members Woodruff, Kircher, Pini, and Downs; Consultant Dan Dickel; late arrival Planning Director Nielsen Absent: Committee Member Ranallo and Chair Schmid; and City Council Liaison Mayor Love 1. Review Undeveloped/Underdeveloped Land Inventory - Dan Dickel Quality of Life • Consultant Dickel shared his Shorewood Environmental Summary. With regard to quality of life, Dickel identified several main concerns including large setbacks, generally large treed lots, and diversified water systems feeding Lake Minnetonka and eventually the Mississippi River. Water Quality - To protect water quality, Dickel stated that Shorewood needs to obtain conservation easements and promote a Legislative addition for a new property tax classification for easements. Setbacks - Dickel suggested requiring topographical studies and hydrological studies of surface water changes before and after construction. It is apparent that topographical reconfiguration occurs. Wetlands - Again, Dickel pointed out that back filling and grade shifting have reconfigured wetland buffers and need to be addressed. Lakes - Dickel encouraged further community education in partnership with the MCWD to examine impervious surface and shoreline development to create better buffers and less runoff problems. Streams and Natural Springs - There is need for further identification and protection of natural springs in order to track ground water flow more readily. Dickel explained that construction has altered the springs. Air Quality - Outside Cooperation - Through coordination with other communities, more can be done cooperatively. • Auto Emissions - Dickel pointed out that auto emissions and exhaust emitted over traffic patterns can greatly impact vegetation. • Emphasis on Public Transportation - Dickel maintained that greater awareness, community education, and availability for public transport in Shorewood is necessary. He encouraged a partnership providing better communication with Met Council about how public transport can be improved for Shorewood. In order to minimize the flow of salts into the lakes, Dickel suggested examining salt alternatives for roads, or identifying salt free roads altogether. Vegetation - Trees - Dickel recommended creating tax incentives to maintain the "big woods" and trees in the area. There is good canopy within Shorewood, however, Dickel cautioned that much of that is on private land. By encouraging a Canopy or Heritage Tree Incentive, people w~'ll be Totivated to preserve their trees in lieu of cutting them down. Dickel stated there is a need to educe people to save the canopy, through a personal stewardship of sorts, people can learn proper care and maintenance. Herbaceous - Although there are no endangered species, Dickel noted that much rare vegetation does exist throughout Shorewood. While there is a concurrent need to watch for the exotics, like buckthorn. Kircher acknowledged that purple loosestrife is diminishing due to the introduction of the beetle. Habitat - Dickel pointed out that there is a great deal of diversity of habitat throughout Shorewood as well. Home to raccoon and deer, Shorewood is also home to pileated woodpeckers, blue heron, loons, and many others. • Community Education - There is a need to offer public education with regard to Habitat Enhancements.. Habitat Enhancement - Programs do exist, for instance, in Carver County they offer wood duck houses. Other suggestions include barn swallow shelters to protect the mosquito eating species and encourage insect control through natural predators, whose habitat needs to be guarded and protected. 2. Recommended Property Studies - Dickel identified four specific properties on the land inventory, #98 - 101, offering some of the last tree stands available. He encouraged the Committee to work as hard as possible in obtaining or purchasing these pieces for natural preservation. While properties #98 and #101 were tax forfeitures, Dickel stated that he could not stress enough how important it would be to pursue the #99 Boulder Bridge and #100 Ridinger properties. Brad Nielsen arrived at 6:25 P.M. Nielsen indicated that in order to be developed, the Boulder Bridge piece really needs the Ridinger piece as well. They would need to be sold together to be of value for Boulder Bridge. Dickel reported that the Golf Course would be the next parcel worth looking at. While there would not be much environmental redeeming value in the parcel, Dickel noted that its true value to Shorewood would be as recreational open space. Areas within the course do offer natural value as well. Property #513 contains many natural prairie stands and Dickel believed that the elderly woman who • resides at the residence might be inclined to consider an easement or more. Woodruff indicated that she too thought this property worth pursuing and had approached several • organizations in the hopes of obtaining funding without result. Dickel then cited the Carmichael properties #16, #314, #349, and #45 as areas containing many wetlands, natural areas, and land with trees. Providing the land is not too badly contaminated from the junkyard, and samplings are acceptable, this land could potentially go into development. Dickel acknowledged that the owner has made some effort in containment, however, the cost of cleanup can often exceed that value of the property itself. In that case, if the land goes into brown field, the City can apply for grants. Downs questioned if the availability for brown field redevelopment only applied for residential redevelopment. Dickel indicated that the grants can be applied to any zoning classification and what should be done with the property is often community driven. Dickel then recommended that conservation easements be sought from Gideon's Glen surrounding property owners. By securing the surrounding easements you can help to ensure the 40 acres feeding into the Glen will not be developed. Nielsen stated that the Mayor and staff members have met with the owner of the Golf Course trying to plant the seed for conservation easements. Thus far, the owner has been reluctant to limit his ability to sell the property. Nielsen indicated that the City fears that soon the value of the land sold to development will exceed the value of running the golf course. He stated that dialogue will continue. Downs asked Consultant Dickel what strategy he would suggest the City use when approaching the • property owners of #99 and #100. Dickel recommended approaching Mrs.Ridinger with a vision of the Ridinger Wildlife Refuge, for example. By offering her the opportunity to create a legacy for future generations, the City may have a better chance of gaining her support. Dickel suggested putting a delegation together soon to approach her with a full blown proposal. Dickel continued that he was aware of potential organizations that could help with the up front financing or loan to make the purchase possible. Dickel noted that he would have the total square feet of open space to report at their final meeting. Kircher inquired over properties #90 - 92. Nielsen noted that these could potentially divided into 6 lots and would likely be very expensive. Downs asked about the southern properties adjoining to #98 and #101 and the potential for cooperative effort with Victoria. Dickel stated that Downs had presented a good question that he would investigate. Woodruff asked if anyone had a relationship with Virginia Ridinger. Dickel reiterated the importance of approaching her in a timely fashion with a formal proposal and artistic view of what the property could be. Nielsen stated that he would talk to Bruce Benson to see if he knew what her intentions might be or could • arrange a meeting. Kircher complimented Dickel for his hard work. • Woodruff stated that Steve Hobbs, of Hennepin County, is compiling land inventory similar to this for the entire watershed district. She concurred with Hobbs assessment that making connections is key. Dickel further suggested approaching the Unitarian Church near Gideon Glen with regard to a potential conservation easement. 3. Review Open Space Plan Outline Nielsen emphasized the need to wrap up the open space plan report. He encouraged the Committee to examine the outline he had provided with regard to goals, objectives, and policies. He asked them to consider the prioritization of land, and how to achieve their goals with little or no money available to obtain much land, much less the Ridinger property. Nielsen stated that some properties are not subject to the taxable income and property tax credits. While the Reisen property was ideal for credits, others who do not offer developable land cannot benefit from these incentives. Nielsen indicated that he would recommend in his report, with LCEC support, that the City starts a fund offering incentives for people to donate their easements. Since there aren't tax benefits for some people, a small financial incentive would offer owners something for granting their easements. Dickel suggested further investigation be done to join with other communities to present legislation that offers people tax incentives for granting easements. Nielsen indicated that with careful wording, the City could do a bond referendum. • Pini agreed that offering a small financial incentive for easements was a good idea, and stated that there were precedents to support that. Nielsen noted that some assessors view easements as increases to the property value, while others, and he himself, view it as decreasing the value by limiting development on a piece of property. Downs suggested creating a foundation that could collect financial donations once people understand and are interested in easements. 4. Consider Open Space Donation Donee: Tom Lowe Location: South Side of the west end of Wedgewood Drive Nielsen reported that Mr. Lowe would like to donate property #163 to the City for conservation open space as explained in Nielsen's memo dated August 8, 2002. There are no conditions attached to the gift and it is scheduled to be made at the August 26, 2002, City Council Meeting. Nielsen pointed out that the parcel was an outlot for a development, which could have been subdivided into 4 lots, thus the owner will receive tax benefits. Woodruff stated that the piece makes great sense for a connection to the existing trails. • Woodruff moved, Pini seconded, recommending staff look at a connection through this property on Wedgewood to the trails connecting to Manitou Park in Tonka Bay. Motion passed 4/0. • 5. Schedule Next Meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2002, at 5:45 P.M. including dinner. 6. Adjournment Woodruff moved, Downs seconded, adjourning the LCEC Meeting of August 13, 2002, at 7:02 P.M. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD •,SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331-8927 • (952) 474-3236 FAX (952) 474-0128 • www.ci.shorewood.mmus • cityhall@ci.shorewood.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the Land Conservation and Environment Committee FROM: Craig W. Dawson, City Administrator DATE: June 27, 2002 SUBJECT: Continuation of the LCEC At its meeting on June 24, the City Council concurred with the recommendation by Planning Director Brad Nielsen on the future of the LCEC (memo attached). As the LCEC is almost done wrapping up its final report, the LCEC is authorized to continue until August 31. Thank you for all of the work you've done and have left to do! It will be valuable to the community for many years to come. c: Brad Nielsen • ~-a16 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331-8927 • (952) 474-3236 FAX (952) 474-0128 • www.d.shorewood.mmus • cityha11@ci.shorewood.mn.us MEMORANDUM • TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Brad Nielsen DATE: 20 June 2002 RE: LCEC - Sunset • FILE NO. 405 (LCEC) As you are aware the sunset for the work of the Land Conservation and Environment Committee is 30 June 2002. Staff suggests an extension of the sunset to the end of August. One of the primary objectives for the committee was to prepare an open space plan, including goals and objectives, an educational component, criteria for • evaluating open space parcels, and possibly implementation of a land registry program. LCEC meetings for the last three months have been put off due to inordinate time being spent on the CUB Foods project, and delays at Hennepin County with respect to parcel database information. Consequently, staff recommends extending the committee's work to 12 August with the final report being presented to Council on 26 August. Relative to ongoing land conservation efforts, staff recommends the establishment of a permanent ad hoc committee consisting of one Planning Commissioner, one Park Commissioner, and one member of the City Council. The advantage of this type of membership is that the people that make up the committee would already be aware of environmental issues through their respective commissions. This committee could easily be called together on an as-needed basis to address land conservation and • environmental issues as they arise. 41,6 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER June 20, 2002 Brad Nielsen City of Shorewood Brad: I am unable to continue as a member of the Shorewood Land Conservation Committee. Although my interest in Shorewood remains high, for personal reasons I cannot continue to serve on the Committee. Sincerely yours, Tom Schmid