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08/14/01 LCEC AgP NOTICE Land Conservation & Environment Committee Will meet Tuesday, August 14, 2001 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 April 24, 2001 2. Approval of Minutes of July 10, 2001 3. Elect New Chair 4. Vacant Land Inventory (Dan Dickel) 5. Discuss Land Conservation Plan 6. Reports MCWD Study Group (Woodruff) ? Report of Garden Awards (Kircher & Berndt) ? Discussion regarding progress of Gideon Glen (Dan Dickel) ? Status Report – vacant land inventory (Dan Dickel) ? Proposed Conservation Easement on Manor Rd/Excelsior Blvd ? (Nielsen) 7. Updates on Phosphorous Free Lawn Fertilizer Movement 8. Set Meeting Dates and Times 9. Adjournment • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMITTEE (LCEC) MEETING 5:45 P.M. TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2001 MINUTES CONVENE LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Vice-Chair Schmid called the meeting to order at 5:51 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Tom Schmid, Donna Woodruff, Lucinda Kircher, Anthony Pini, Paula Berndt, and Greg Ranallo; Consultant Dan Dickel; Planning Director Nielsen Absent: Chair Bruno and Council Liaison Mayor Love 1. Approval of the Minutes of March 13, 2001 Woodruff moved, Berndt seconded, approving the Minutes of March 13, 2001, as presented. Motion passed 6/0. 2. Presentation: Low Impact Development by Anthony Pini • Pini reported on a two day seminar he attended on Low Impact Development (LID) Design Strategies presented by Dakota County, the Met Council and others. The presentation included topics such as, site planning, hydrology, distributed IMP Technologies, erosion and sediment control, and public outreach. The LID approach, Pini continued, combines a hydrologically functional site design with pollution prevention measures to compensate for land development impacts on hydrology and water quality. Through the use of bioretention and multifunctional landscape features, where runoff can be micromanaged and controlled at the sources, LID offers an innovative alternative. Pini went on to share that these methods can even address volume control issues and regulate infiltration at each individual lot level. Ranallo identified two such developments, in Lake Elmo and Jackson Meadows. Consultant Dickel added that there is quite a demand for these properties in Lake Elmo and that up to 75% of each lot is required to remain in a natural state. He also noted that the arboretum will be redoing its parking lot this summer to incorporate a retention pond at the entrance and low lying burms within the parking lot itself. Pini reported that residential lots which incorporate LID features maintain a planting area that can serve a storm water management function, as well as, offer aesthetically pleasing landscaping. Berndt asked about the possibility of controlling storm water runoff from going into the lake this way. Pini maintained that by bringing storm water management to a micro level by using a dry well this was possible. In a residential situation, on site water infiltration can also improve overall water quality and offer savings to homeowners associations or builders. Berndt inquired what incentives exist for developers to promote this approach. Pini pointed out that the incentive is strictly on a financial plane, • more lots can be gained from these designs. Nielsen wondered how the City could control the individual homeowner and require the dry wells to stay there, or even whether the LID designs used in Maryland would work in Minnesota. Pini said that these methods can be encouraged through planning and LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE NENUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2001 PAGE 2 OF 3 • development and even negotiated with developers as an alternative to ponding. An LID application using rain barrels to catch runoff was brought up. Pini suggested these barrels as a good follow-up to the compost bins project the LCEC is offering. Berndt asked Pini to approach Dakota County on the possibility of pursuing this as a pilot project. Others suggested a visit to the Lake Elmo and Jackson Meadows developments be considered. 3. Appoint a Representative to: • Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (and Advisory Board Representative) Donna Woodruff volunteered to act as the MCWD liaison and Advisory Board Representative • Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Dan Dickel agreed to act as liaison since he attends the meetings regularly anyway. • Gideon Glen Advisory Committee Anthony Pini will act as the representative from the LCEC and Paula Berndt hopes to do so as representative for the Park Commission. Woodruff moved, Kircher seconded to approve the LCEC volunteers to these committees. Motion passed 6/0. • 4. Discussion regarding an Open House Format Director Nielsen asked whether there would be another open house this year. Kircher mentioned that she had hoped it could be incorporated into the May 19th Clean up day and Compost Bin pick- up until Engineer Brown pointed out this would not work due to limited interior space and exterior traffic space. Kircher pointed out that the bin pick up at the City Works will run from 9AM to IPM and will attract about 234 people picking up their orders. Berndt suggested obtaining a booth at the "Art at the Beach" festival in June. Kircher and Pini liked the idea and proposed the LCEC offer information on the phosphorous free lawn fertilizer ordinance, lakeshore and aquascaping, compost bins, skate park, etc. Berndt indicated she would call to confirm the dates of June 9-10 and try to obtain a booth space. 5. Discussion regarding Garden Awards Nielsen relayed the Mayor's suggestion that the community recognize people who have outstanding gardens. Discussion continued over the nominating method and judging procedures. Kircher and Berndt will meet with Nielsen to discuss how to begin the process soon. 6. Reports Consultant Dickel reported on the progress of Gideon Glen. During his most recent visits, Dickel noted that very little runoff reaches the wetland via the culverts and most of the water sheets across the road and parking lot. Due to this predicament, more planning will need to be done. He noted that the wetland • delineation markers were not completely accurate and another look will need to be taken to see what is encompassed by the wetland. Dickel said he hopes to complete his survey on open land and have it LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2001 PAGE 3 OF 3 • compiled for a report in late May or June. Greg Ranallo had to leave at 7:10 P.M. Kircher mentioned that she will be on hand for the May 19, compost bin pick-up and suggested either calling to remind residents or sending out reminder cards to those who ordered bins. Woodruff reported that Connie Fortin, of Fortin Consulting, would be submitting an article for the Newsletter about the loosestrife problem. Nielsen noted that the Park Commission will be celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, April 28, at 9:30 A.M., with a tree dedication at the Skate Park and all are invited to attend. 7. Set Meeting Dates and Times The LCEC set their next meeting for May 22, 2001, at 5:45 P.M. as a follow-up to the May 19, 2001, Spring Clean-up Day at public works where people will be picking up their compost bins. They also set June 9th as a potential booth site date at the "Art at the Beach" Festival and a meeting for July 10, 2001, at 5:45 P.M. 8. Adjournment There was a general consent to adjourn the LCEC Meeting of April 24, 2001, at 7:27 P.M. • RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary • • CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMITTEE (LCEC) MEETING 5:45 P.M. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2001 MINUTES CONVENE LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Vice-Chair Schmid called the meeting to order at 5:54 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Committee Members Woodruff, Kircher, Schmid, Berndt, Ranallo, and Pini; Consultant Dan Dickel; City Council Liaison Mayor Love; and Planning Director Nielsen Absent: Chair Bruno 1. Approval of the Minutes of May 22, 2001 No action could be taken to approve the unofficial Minutes of May 22, 2001. Committee Members Woodruff and Kircher requested they be added to reports. 2. Discussion of LID application • Director Nielsen inquired whether Committee member Pini had any new information on LID, Low Impact Development. Pini had nothing new to discuss but asked if there was interest in taking a field trip to the Lake Elmo Development discussed in April. Consultant Dickel suggested either taking a half day field trip or videotaping the Bob Engstrom Development at Lake Elmo to view this "healthy Community"; i.e., the efficient no emission homes, the three ponds and rhizofiltration efforts, the wetland treatment used for septic systems, the arboretum and trails. Dickel volunteered to contact Bob Engstrom and report back. Pini also shared with the group the possibility of a rain barrel program run thru the Dakota Conservation District, similar to the compost bin program the LCEC coordinated this year. At approximately $85 per barrel, it is a slightly more expensive program, but less than the $135 seen in sales flyers. Director Nielsen pointed out that the Cub Foods proposal had attempted to utilize a small amount of LID in its plan, but really could not do so properly based on the size of the project. Woodruff suggested it might be important for the City to consider making LID and/or infiltration a requirement or recommendation for future small commercial site developments. 3. Reports • Liaison Woodruff's report on the MCWD Woodruff reported on a recent project overview that MCWD shared about a two-year study they will be performing. The study will analyze the type of soil, the imperviousness of the soil, the water that exists in the watershed on all of the land within the district to within an eighth of an acre. In conjunction with the • wetland study project going on currently, they will have a very thorough study of what's going on as far as water. Once they determine what they have, a citizens group or committee will provide input as to what people want to see from their lakes and waterways. The City staff representative to the Citizens • group will be Craig Dawson, with Engineer Brown as the back up. Woodruff requested that she be made the LCEC representative to the study. Mayor Love, having had experience at the MCWD, concurred that this study will provide additional information for the GIS by mapping the areas, as well as, provide citizen input, which then can be analyzed for feasibility of expectations. Woodruff also shared that she received a phone call today from Tom Skramstad, with the LMCD, about a Lakeshore restoration presentation he had seen put on by Connie Fortin. Skramstad relayed to her that the LMCD would like to see much more of this lakeshore native planting and restoration being encouraged. Woodruff was pleased to pass along to the LMCD that Connie Fortin had already given a presentation to the City. This being said, while the LMCD could commit funds to such a project, Woodruff will also be sending in a $2,500 grant request to put together a demo site for lakeshore restoration in the area. Discussion ensued over possible sites, including the idea of partnering with other south shore communities, i.e., Excelsior Commons, for example. Kircher mentioned the fire lanes as another avenue to explore. Dickel suggested promoting a public competition between neighbors to win this grant money and the services provided by Fortin to display the restoration in action. Mayor Love felt by including Shoreline Developers and contractors in the competition, we could get a better "buy in" to the concept by involving those designers up front. • Report on Garden Awards (Kircher and Berndt) Berndt reported that she and Kircher spoke today and that time is of the essence to make the awards happen this year. Nielsen maintained that the original thought to have neighbors nominate neighbors is not feasible at this late date, however, a committee could be appointed to nominate and choose the award winners. Nielsen said he will check to see what other cities have done, send a memo out to City Council, Planning and Park Commissions, and the LCEC to nominate residents, and work with Berndt and Kircher over the next thirty days to make this recognition happen. • Discussion regarding progress of Gideon Glen Consultant Dickel gave a slide presentation on the condition of Gideon Glen. He noted that while much of the front end of Gideon Glen is highly disturbed, requiring ponding in the first third, the backside is still quite pristine. The back half of the Glen contains a unique diversity of vegetation and fungi, a spring exists in one corner, as well as, canary grass, but also a number of old woods and maples are present in the middle. Dickel pointed out the first need is to protect the Glen, followed by the need for restoration, which may involve gaining conservation easements from neighbors. Currently, the MCWD may contribute more money to clean the water. Since it is a headwater at the top of the watershed they see the need to slow, diffuse and clean the water before it reaches the wetland. Dickel also pointed out that due to the delicate nature of the area, it could be damaged easily, and therefore, the City may not want to allow people free access to roam around and upset the natural elements in the older sections. Questions arose as to the twin home development next to Gideon Glen. Mayor Love pointed out that the City could not really afford to purchase both the Glen property and this neighboring piece of land and therefore, cannot stop the other one from being developed. Dickel and Mayor Love agreed that a handout needs to be designed to give to people pointing out the alternatives, i.e. "planting the seed of preservation". • Status Report - vacant land inventory (Dan Dickel) Consultant Dickel reported that he has reviewed all of the properties and is comparing them to the GIS and aerial photos. While he noted a few unique areas do exist, he is still one to two weeks away from presenting the final inventory. He identified areas, including the Enchanted Islands, a wetland out • Smithtown Road, and the Riesen property at Foot Lake as potential sites. He did, however, indicate there were not many open and undisturbed pieces of land left in Shorewood. Dickel also noted willingness on • behalf of people to discuss conservation easements regarding their properties. Mayor Love felt the need to point out, for the record, that a conservation easement does not make your property public. An easement just keeps the property from being developed. Dickel also mentioned that people are more inclined to consider conservation easements when they look at the tax incentives. • Proposed Conservation Easement - (Riesen) Nielsen reported on the status of the proposed Conservation Easement at the Riesen Property, located at Manor Road and Excelsior Blvd. on Foot Lake. An original member of the LCEC, Mr. Riesen has been working to donate his property's conservation easement to the City. Nielsen pointed out that the property is a valuable piece of real estate and Mr. Riesen has needed to show how this property could be developed in order to receive credit for his charitable contribution. Nielsen was optimistic that the easement will be granted soon. 4. Follow-up discussion to June 9th Open House at the Art in the Park Festival (Berndt) Berndt reported that the Open House did not take place at the Festival. At the time, many other areas took precedence over the Open House. Mayor Love asked to provide an update on the Phosphorous Free Lawn Fertilizer movement. He reported that the Cities of Plymouth, Minneapolis and St. Paul all plan to write their own ordinances in support of this issue. Mayor Love also relayed that Bill McCullough, from the Star Tribune, will be putting together an article addressing both sides of the issue. Mayor Love encouraged members of the LCEC to continue to contact their representatives and neighbors in order to move this grassroots effort forward. The Scots Fertilizer Company has its strong lobbying team on its side and the Mayor is hopeful that our • representatives from the legislature will continue to take this project on. 5. Set Meeting Dates and Times The next two LCEC Meetings will take place on August 14 and September 11, 2001, at 5:45 P.M. 6. Adjournment Woodruff moved, Berndt seconded to adjourn the LCEC Meeting of July 10, 2001, at 7:32 P.M. Motion passed 510. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Kristi B. Anderson Recording Secretary •