HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 09/24/2001 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 6:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Heritage Room IV
8080 Mitchell Road
BOARD MEMBERS: Ken Brooks, Frantz Corneille, Kathy
Nelson, Susan Stock, Fred Seymour, Paul
Sodt, Ray Stoelting
STAFF MEMBERS: Gene Dietz, Public Works Director
Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural
Resources
Mike Franzen, City Planner
Alan Gray, City Engineer
Scott Kipp, Senior Planner
Leslie Stovring, Environmental Coordinator
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Corneille called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Present: Commissioners
Corneille, Brooks, Nelson, Seymour, Stock, Stoelting. Absent: Foote.
II. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Utilities Elements and Policies
Franzen introduced Gene Dietz, Public Works Director, Leslie Stovring,
Environmental Coordinator, and Danette Moore, Planner.
Gene Dietz presented provided the 1969 Sanitary Sewer System report by
RCN in Hopkins in yellow, the water report is in blue, done by Black and
Beach, 1969. May of 1970 was the Phase I utility proposal-all plans for the
utility system were unveiled, followed by a drainage plan for the City. This
plan has not changed significantly. Since 1970 it has been a requirement that
all homes are built at least two feet above flood stage of the 100-year water
elevation.
The water plan contemplated 2 water treatment plants, 18 million gallons per
day (mgd) for one. The original plan was to draw water from the Minnesota
River. It has decaying water quality. In 1994, the 20 acre Apple Orchard site
was looked at for a second water treatment plan. Residents were opposed to
construction of a water treatment plant. A study was completed looking at
continuing with the plan, connecting to Bloomington, or expanding the
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September 24, 2001
Page 2
existing site at a $32 million estimated cost. The only change to the sewer
system was in the mid 80's with the Red Rock interceptor sanitary sewer line
in Chanhassen south of Mitchell Lake. The Met Council built it. There were
still two lines to be built along Mitchell Lake and Red Rock lake to tie into
the interceptor, and another along Riley Creek. A decision was made to
upsize Red Rock to serve the entire area at $1.5 million. The water plan
proposed treatment for 21 mgd; today 23 mgd are treated. In 1970 a
financing plan was put into place with three ways to pay: a connection
fee/sewer access charge and water access charge; trunk assessments by
acreage have been $520 since 1971; and there has been a user charge on
utility bills of $12.50 per quarter since the 1970s'. Lateral benefits of $3000
per unit were assessed in 1971, with $1000 credit for well/septic. Today there
is a $19,600 cap on special assessments. In 1971, 7,000 were served by two
wells. Today 56,000 are served by 13 wells.
In the 1980's an odd/even irrigation system was in place. There was a water
surcharge because of 50% more use of water in summer; $1 per 1,000 gallons
would go to the utility bill. This goes into environmental resource education,
and rebates.
The emergency action plan calls for 4 wells with standby power- enough to
supply a winter day average. A 1" rainstorm creates 65 million gallons of
water. The goal was to reduce by demand 5%.
There are still 300-350 onsite septic systems - Council is looking favorably
on connecting everyone. There is an unfunded mandate from the State to
develop an onsite inspection for septic systems. The County will do it if cities
do not. The Building Department is working on this.
Stoelting inquired whether there were areas that were unincorporated.
Gene said all areas were incorporated.
Stoelting asked whether most of the septics were in the same area.
Gene said 45 homes were in Crestwood Terrace. Willow Creek Road has 30.
Nelson inquired whether there was testing on the wells.
Gene said no.
Nelson said with a dump in Eden Prairie, airport toxins, and freeway, she was
surprised they did not test water for toxins out of the well into the system.
Gene the wells are north of the landfill.
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September 24, 2001
Page 3
Stock inquired about mound systems versus holding tanks.
Gene said it meant gravity or drain field system. There are wet seep areas
behind some houses.
Stock asked whether the City could require residents to get rid of all septic
systems.
Gene said they could but it would be politically difficult.
Stock asked how Eden Prairie compared with other similar cities.
Gene said a typical winter day was 5.5 mgd. Summer maximum was 23 mgd.
Sodt said industry uses 1/3 water of the community; he asked whether this
would change
Gene said no. There are a few high users.
Stoelting asked whether there was a way of bypassing water treatment
system for watering grass, such as using a well instead.
Gene noted some businesses have private wells for irrigation purposes. This
is expensive for residents, especially those on high ground.
Gene said they need to put in two more wells. Each well will provide 2 mgd.
The city needs a trunk line put in. They need 1 mg of storage in the
southwest area of the community.
Corneille said as the community becomes more developed fees may not be a
good source of funding.
Gene said in 1994 the city increased the water access charge to $250 per
year. Combined with trunk assessment and $12.50 per quarter, the money is
coming from three sources. Development in the community is driving
additional needs.
Stovring noted over 1000 tickets and warnings for watering were issued this
year.
Nelson asked how long sewer pipes last.
Gene stated 60-75 years. The City's are virtually new. The original standard
was vitrified clay tile,but it cracks - everything is plastic and ductile iron.
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September 24, 2001
Page 4
Stovring stated the Comprehensive Wetland Protection and Water Resource
Management plan went to Council in 2000. There are 537 water bodies, 15
lakes, 478 wetlands, and 44 storm ponds. Many noted as wetlands are
actually storm ponds. They are working on a stormwater ponds inventory.
Minnesota Routine Assessment Methodology was used to rate the wetlands.
Vegetation diversity is a key factor — this means it is functioning as a
wetland. The city has exceptional, high, moderate, and low level wetlands.
There are 69% parks and open space; 47% in the MN River Valley, 73%
inside MUSA, 27% outside MUSA. The basic criteria wetland ordinance
shows they must evaluate property, provide a delineation report, functional
assessment, and verification on the boundary of wetland.
Stormwater is affecting water levels. They are looking for wetland banking
opportunities and developing new educational programs. This year they used
bigfoot as a marketing tool on recycling and ecological education. A CIP for
stormwater ponds was set up. 245 ponds were evaluated; 146 are in disrepair
— 9 in need of immediate repair. No studies on water depth were completed.
The Watershed District uses attainability analyses.
Stoelting inquired about evaluating projects.
Franzen said it was identified in projects whether there would be buffers,
setbacks, etc., from wetlands.
B. Adjournment
Motion by Nelson, second by Stoelting to adjourn the workshop. Motion
carried, 7-0.