Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 03/20/2023

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Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that in 2022, the City was successful in securing grant funds through Great River Greening (GRG) to establish a pollinator corridor between Veterans Drive and the BNSF right-of-way. Subsequently, the City submitted a revised application to expand the project to include reseeding of a recently constructed infiltration basin and reseeding around the rim of a stormwater pond as well. Additionally, the revised application included a demonstration garden adjacent to the Northstar commuter rail station that would be established with larger, potted plants. Board Member Fetterley commented that it would be great to have the involvement of the EPB in the planting event. She stated that she would be open to the April date, if the snow cooperates, otherwise May. Board Member Hiatt agreed that this is a perfect opportunity to generate media exposure and information for the City website. He stated that it is an opportunity to draw attention to an environmental issue. He agreed that it may be more realistic to plan for May to ensure the ground could support the plantings. He also agreed that the event could align with a regular meeting date for the EPB. He suggested that perhaps QCTV record a segment. Senior Planner Anderson stated that there seems to be general consensus for the Board to participate and align with a regular meeting date. He recognized that the event will be weather dependent but noted that staff can begin to plan. He stated that there will be two or three land use applications anticipated to come to the Board in April. He stated that perhaps they begin the meeting at 5:30 or 6 p.m. and hold the planting event after the meeting adjourns. The Board agreed to a 5:30 p.m. start time. Board Member Hiatt noted that in the past the City has done an Arbor Day event with the schools and asked if that would continue, or whether this would take the place of that. Senior Planner Anderson replied that while the City has done events with the schools in the past, last year there was an event held in conjunction with a local business to plant trees. He confirmed that this event could be the City's Arbor Day event, in addition to a project staff is working on with a local Eagle Scout to do additional plantings. He noted that as staff continues with planning, he will keep the Board updated. 5.02: Zoning Code Updates Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that Planning Division staff and the Planning Commission are in the process of overhauling the current Zoning Code. Both Tree Preservation and Landscaping standards currently reside in the Zoning Code. Even though the Landscaping portion was recently reviewed by the Environmental Policy Board (EPB), staff wanted to provide both of these sections of City Code to the EPB for review and comment/feedback. Board Member Hiatt asked if staff has a concept for something that would be similar in standard to what is required in other areas of the community, but scaled down for the lack of space within the COR. Environmental Policy Board / March 20, 2023 Page 2 of 6