Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 10/21/2024

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5.01: Consider the Natural Resources Aspects of a Site Plan for Blanery LLC at 6591 141st Avenue NW (Project No. 24-124); Case of Blanery LLC Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City has received a Land Use Application from Blanery LLC for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Site Plan for a proposed automotive body shop at 6591 141st Avenue NW. The applicant has a purchase agreement with the City to acquire the subject property. Board Member Bernard arrived. Chairperson Fetterley commented that it looks like a straightforward plan with no additional recommendations. Motion by Board Member Hagerty and seconded by Board Member Salami to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory & Preservation Plan. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Fetterley, Board Member Hagert, Salami, Bernard, Burgess, and Houts. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Moore. 5.02: Continue Discussion on Potential Performance Standards for Managed Natural Landscapes Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that at the August meeting, the Board discussed the idea of developing performance standards for natural landscapes. There seemed to be consensus among the Board to consider standards withing the right-of-way, but nothing really beyond that. Staff has prepared a rough draft of an ordinance amendment to assist with this discussion. There are three components to the ordinance amendment, simply adding several definitions to Chapter 30 (Nuisances) of the City Code; specifically addressing information that needs to be included in a management plan; and attempting to identify standards that are applicable when attempting to establish and maintain a natural landscape. He stated that staff is seeking input on the third component of the ordinance. Chairperson Fetterley asked if staff used references from other communities when developing these requirements. Senior Planner Anderson replied that last year the legislature enacted new legislation that required cities to allow naturalized landscapes. He stated that Ramsey has allowed that for over 15 years, with an approved management plan. He stated that within the last year a number of communities had to make changes to their regulations to allow for naturalized landscapes and therefore he was able to use those regulations to craft this proposal. Board Member Burgess appreciated the information from other communities. He asked if the recommendation would be to have natural landscaping setback 18 inches, or about one pass of a lawnmower. Senior Planner Anderson replied that was a seed to start discussion and noted that he is seeking feedback on that. He commented that his thought was that the entire right-of-way would not need to be turf grass and asked if the Board felt that it would be important to have some type of Environmental Policy Board / October 21, 2024 Page 2 of 5