Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/20/2015 - Joint with EPB

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Board Member Lewis stated that he thinks there are a lot of issues like this that are on the table that we haven't been able to look at like we want to. He thinks the restructuring and redefinition of the EPB will help with that. Commissioner Brauer stated that it is good to see the change in coming back to where we used to be. Board Member Lewis thanked the Planning Commissioner for the opportunity. 5.03: Review Structure of Chapter 13 (Environmental Protection/Resource Management) of the Comprehensive Plan and Prioritize Areas of Revisions for Current Goals and Strategies City Planner Anderson stated that the purpose of this case is to begin the review of Chapter 13 (Environmental Protection/Resource Management) of the Comprehensive Plan. This initial introduction is intended to provide both the EPB and the Planning Commission an opportunity to review the existing contents and inform Staff of areas where updates may be necessary or appropriate. The intent is not to develop new goals, strategies, or alternatives yet, but to prioritize areas for future revisions. Essentially, Staff desires the group to identify priority areas for revision and to also identify areas that do not require additional future revisions and areas that need input from the public. He would like to focus on Section B that outlines goals and implementation strategies. He talked about the goal of reducing waste going to landfills and recommended a strategy to explore opportunities to promote or implement source separated organics collection. He stated that the City does have a natural resources inventory and a wetland inventory that was completed and that there hasn't been a lot of development since the studies were done so he doesn't see a need to update presently as they provide a good base of information. Board Member Valentine wondered if it would be helpful to emphasize water supply in the water resources area. He thinks it is a key area going forward with sustainability in the long term being the underlying policy issue. City Planner Anderson stated that this is certainly something we can do. He stated that a water resource plan is new to the Comprehensive Plan process and there will be a heavier emphasis on water. The City Council has identified transportation and water supply as major priorities. Chairperson Levine asked for elaboration on item 1 E — "Establish a revenue stream dedicated to the permanent protection of high-value natural resources area." City Planner Anderson stated that there is currently nothing in place. The EPB did look at it a few years ago. The intent was to conduct a public survey to gather information on support for a referendum in terms of a natural resources fund. The City Council opted not to move forward with conducting the survey. Commissioner Andrusko stated that it might be helpful to the Comprehensive Plan in general to expand on Subsection 1E to let citizens know there is not a dedicated funding source and establishing a need for it. He wondered if there was a program of future expenses or a program of planned priorities and investments. Environmental Policy Board/April 20, 2015 Page 6 of 11