2011-01-25_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

potential major residential project under development of a 13 -acre site near Lake Josephine and Lexington Avenue, with the same developer considering several other housing developments in the area; and several commercial developments currently under discussion. Mr. Schwartz advised that when such major projects involving significant storm water and /or traffic issues came forward formally, the Community Development Department would seek input from the PWET Commission as the plans were formulated and reviewed. Discussion included a staff update on the status of a tree inventory /preservation ordinance; preference of Member Vanderwall to comment on roadway designs, particularly cul -de -sacs, for consideration of school bus and snow plow maneuvering; and Member Stenlund recognizing the tight land use review concerns, but his preference to find a way to include collaboration of the PWET Commission on those major projects. Further discussion included clarification by Chair DeBenedet that it was not the intent of the PWET Commission to review all building permit applications, but to look at larger developments having significant storm water, transportation, and /or environmental issues in order to avoid repeating past errors related to such projects. Members expressed disappointment that the PWET Commission could not fit into the land use review process; and Mr. Schwartz advised that staff would be alert for those projects coming forward that had significant traffic and /or storm water components. 6. Update on Coal Tar Sealant Ban As part of the agenda packet, Mr. Schwartz provided additional information researched on coal tar sealants to address follow -up questions raised by the PWET Commission, and addressing the previously presented League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) model ordinance allowing for some level of coal tar pollution, but those cities having changed their ordinances to disallow any whatsoever. Mr. Schwarz summarized several seminars recently attended by staff and the materials provided in the packet. Mr. Schwartz advised that the recommendation of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) at the seminars was to hold off for now on adopting the ordinance and wait to determine what the legislative action was this next round, anticipating that the State may propose a state -wide ban, with Rep. Bev Scalze co- sponsoring such legislation last session. Mr. Schwartz advised that staff had discussed the legislation with Rep. Scalze, who's fellow legislators opined that it didn't have a chance of passing this session due to business community opposition; however, he noted that she was willing to push it, but the LMC was not pushing it this year either, and it would leave it up to the City whether to move forward with an ordinance banning coal tar sealants. Member Stenlund recommended that the PWET Commission recommend to the City Council that they move forward; and provided an alternative model Page 4 of 11