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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 06, 2011 Page 5 Environmental Impacts 200 From her neighborhood perspective, as well as her former service as a City 201 Councilmember, Ms. Ihlan noted that past controversy and litigation on environmental 202 review. Ms. Ihlan opined that the proposed Regulating Plan did not reflect all of that 203 previous environmental analysis and mitigations, especially for wildlife habitat and the 204 four (4) adjacent Oak forests to Langton Lake Park, some of which were on private 205 property. In the most recent 2007 AUAR and requirements for that mitigation, Ms. Ihlan 206 opined that there needed to be open space dedication in the future for those areas, and 207 creation and restoration of wildlife habitat corridors in that area. Ms. Ihlan expressed her 208 concern that there was no dedication indicated to meet those mitigation requirements, 209 and that there was nothing stipulated in the Zoning Code either. 210 Buffering for Langton Lake Park and Surrounding Neighborhoods 211 Ms. Ihlan opined that the AUAR and current Comprehensive Plan provided for 212 appropriate buffers, boundaries and transitions between Twin Lakes and those residential 213 areas. However in the Zoning Text and Map, Ms. Ihlan opined that it appeared that the 214 existing buffers were being decreased from current undeveloped properties, an example 215 being with the proposed public access points to the Park. Ms. Ihlan noted the fragile 216 wooded buffer along the south edge of the Park, and questioned if the proposed access 217 points to the south would change in that environment, or preserve the wildlife habitat and 218 natural amenity. 219 Parking 220 Ms. Ihlan noted the location as close as five feet (5’) from the boundary of the Park, 221 noting that the screening requirements appeared to be more flexible, and opined that it 222 seemed inconsistent to increase or protect the buffer. 223 Ms. Ihlan opined that the Twin Lakes Parkway connection to Fairview Avenue would 224 remove the existing barrier to drive-through traffic off I-35W into a residential 225 neighborhood, and would seem to decrease rather than increase the buffer. 226 Green Space/Open Space 227 Ms. Ihlan noted that previous zoning designation of the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area 228 (B-6) and required minimum green space of 25%; opining that the proposed Plan 229 appeared to be moving to 90% development or coverage on all the sites in this area. Ms. 230 Ihlan requested that the Commission consider that rationale from a planning perspective; 231 and opined that more public input should be collected from residential property owners 232 wanting additional protections and creation of more green space. Ms. Ihlan opined that 233 there were creative ways to do so; and noted that such increased impervious coverage 234 raised other environmental concerns for Langton Lake, with its water quality already 235 impaired. 236 Twin Lakes Parkway Connection to Fairview Avenue 237 Ms. Ihlan noted the near completion of Phases I and II of the Twin Lakes Parkway 238 construction up to Prior Avenue; opining that was great and it was an important 239 infrastructure accomplishment. However, Ms. Ihlan requested that the Commission 240 seriously consider, from a planning perspective, halting further Parkway construction, 241 leaving it as it is. Ms. Ihlan opined that this observation was based on significant savings 242 that could be realized by the City and property owners, as well as the construction to-date 243 being adequate. Ms. Ihlan noted that the original plan for Twin Lakes Parkway 244 envisioned that it would connect to Fairview Avenue and then proceed through Terrace 245 Drive to Snelling Avenue, allowing for an alternate route to Snelling Avenue. However, 246 Ms. Ihlan opined that the City was aware that for the last ten (10) years, MnDOT would 247 no longer approve that connection at Terrace Drive and Snelling Avenue, as it was too 248 close to the existing County Road C-2 intersection. If a connection were created from 249 Twin Lakes Parkway to Fairview Avenue, Ms. Ihlan opined that it would be a connection 250 to nowhere; and that it would cause traffic to naturally gravitate into residential 251 neighborhoods. Ms. Ihlan opined that, if the connection was not needed, it shouldn’t be 252 pursued; and it would be good for the Planning Commission to revisit that from a planning 253