Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/18/2017

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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Landscape Plan for RTC 1211 Addition City Planner Anderson presented the staff report noting that the City has received an application for Preliminary Plat consideration for Ramsey Town Center 12th Addition. He noted that this is a City owned lot that has its own set of challenges. The proposed development would result in 12 new single family lots on what is now currently known as Outlot A, Ramsey Town Center 8th Addition,which is located north of Bunker Lake Boulevard and east of Zeolite Street. This request is being processed as a Major Plat and thus the Landscape Plan is being routed through the Board for review. He reviewed the details of the Landscaping Plan and highlighted the comments recommended by staff found in the Staff Review Letter. He noted that all applicable costs would fall to the applicant and overall, staff finds the Landscape Plan generally acceptable with revisions outlined in the Staff Review Letter. Board Member Valentine asked for more details on the mixture listed in alternative C. City Planner Anderson stated that the applicant is proposing a MnDOT seed mix and stated that he simply recommends using a different MnDOT seed mix that would provide a more sustainable result. Board Member Covart asked if there is a difference between the plantings for a detached townhome and a single- family home. City Planner Anderson stated that these will be single family homes but there will be an association that does the maintenance and therefore would be similar to a detached townhome. Motion by Chairperson Stodola and seconded by Board Member Anderson to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola,Board Member Anderson,Covart,Trossen,and Valentine. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Bernard and Hiatt. 5.02: Consider Potential Ordinance Amendment to Eliminate the Irrigation Requirement in Multiple Zoning Districts City Planner Anderson presented the staff report noting that the purpose of the case is to discuss the potential of eliminating the irrigation requirement found in many of the zoning districts. While this action would not prohibit a project from utilizing in-ground irrigation, it would simply no longer be a requirement. This topic has been raised several times by the Board, as it seems counterintuitive to the City's desire to reduce demand for groundwater. He noted that a proposed ordinance amendment could be brought back to the Board to review at their meeting in January and noted the process that would follow including a public hearing to occur with the Planning Commission and subsequent review by City Council. He noted that there could also be an incentive offered to those that choose to use new technologies, such as smart controllers and soil moisture sensors, which will help to decrease the need for irrigation. He stated that there could also be an incentive opportunity for more sustainable landscaping plans. He noted that the details Environmental Policy Board/December 19, 2016 Page 2 of 4