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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 Community Planning Board Workshop Minutes 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. Community Planning Board Workshop Minutes 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. Community Planning Board Workshop Minutes 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.