Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/02/2015

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Valentine, Bernard, Bentz, and Hiatt. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Members Lewis and Prendergast. 5.02: Review Draft Closed Landfill Land Use Plan; Case of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He reviewed the land use case, specifically in regard to the ground water area of concern identified by the MPCA and to the oak savanna. He recommended that the Board support the MPCA's desire to provide permanent protection and restoration efforts to the oak savanna on the western portion of the lot. City Councilmember LeTourneau stated that the Board should also consider if preservation of the oak savanna would interfere with the concept of a business park and increased tax base for the City. City Planner Anderson provided additional input, identifying the oak savanna on the concept plan, which is shown as open space. He noted that the opinion of this Board may not match the opinions of the Economic Development Authority and the Planning Commission. He advised that all the comments will then be provided to the MPCA as feedback. Chairperson Stodola questioned the current zoning of the area. He stated that it seemed to him that if business was going to exist in that area it would be along the roadway and identified an area that is very wet on that site. He stated that the wetland could not be filled, so in essence that makes the area in discussion very small. City Councilmember LeTourneau explained that he views the area as a larger area that needs to be platted. He noted that hypothetically the wetland could be filled as well, if wetland credits are purchased to offset that. Board Member Hiatt questioned if there is demand for business park area within Ramsey. City Planner Anderson confirmed that business park is in high demand within Ramsey as there are businesses that would like to come to the City and those within Ramsey that would like to expand. He stated that this area is currently zoned E -1, which is one of the two employment districts within Ramsey. Board Member Bentz stated that in his experience previous land use sites are not found desirable by businesses. He stated that even though the site would be monitored there is still the risk of what is not yet known. Board Member Valentine stated that he believes the MPCA makes the distinction between properties that will be serviced by City sewer and water and those that have their own wells. He stated that the oak savanna is a high quality aspect in an area that may not be attractive for future development and therefore would support the preservation of the oak savanna. He agreed that the remaining area should be made available for development, noting that potential businesses should be alerted to the previous use. Environmental Policy Board / January 5, 2015 Page 3 of 6