Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 04/20/2015 - Joint with Planning Commission

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City Planner Anderson responded that the EPB did explore the Green Steps Program and brought it forward to the City Council, but it was not fully supported. Chairperson Stodola stated he thought of the Green Steps Program when City Council Liaison LeTourneau brought up the City establishing best practices standards for the community to follow. City Planner Anderson stated the Board was proposing the City look at ways to lead by example. Community Development Directed Gladhill stated that participating in the Green Steps Program was not supported but it can be used as a tool in the background. He stated that City Council members supported some parts of the program but still voted against it. 5.04 Review Presentation on Update of Development Projects Community Development Director Gladhill provided an update of various private and public construction projects under construction or scheduled to commence construction in 2015 so that Board Members and Commissioners could answer questions from the community. He presented information on new detached single family development household starts; vacant residential lot inventory which is the lowest seen in a number of years; the market outlook for new construction and existing homes; and inspection metrics and additional help brought on to keep up with the metrics. He reported that Stoney River did get occupancy late this year; that the City has finished its initial review and is working on getting revised plans and issuing a building permit from Casey's General Store; the City Council is looking at preliminary plans for a detached single family development for the former Municipal Center site; the Sunwood Village project will be in front of the City Council on May 12; Parkview East first read will be on April 28; and McDonalds does own the site but does not want to open its doors until work on the Armstrong exchange is complete. Commissioner Brauer stated that the data on household starts is another example of why the Metropolitan Council predictions are wrong. City Council Liaison Letourneau presented an update on the sale of the Residence of the COR to an investment organization out of Washington. He stated that it was very successful and the City was able to recover its bond investment and interest accrued. 6. BOARD/STAFF INPUT • EAB Informational Meeting—April 30,2015 City Planner Anderson reported that Emerald Ash Borer had been identified and confirmed in Anoka County in Ham Lake in late March. There will be a meeting hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on April 30th at the Anoka County Activities Center at 6 p.m. The emergency quarantine will be discussed and comments will be accepted on the proposed permanent quarantine. Environmental Policy Board/April 20, 2015 Page 10 of 11