05-10-2017
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
May 10, 2017
Members Present: Charlotte Chappell, Bill Chappell, Keith Butcher, Rachel Popken
Members Absent: Don Vasatka, Wayne Benbow, David Hess
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist
Guests present: Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director
Minutes: April minutes were approved.
Comp Plan Natural Resources chapter: Kate Aanenson introduced herself and explained the commission’s
role in the 2040 Comp Plan revision process. She also explained what the comp plan is – good planning. Every
10 years the Met Council requires cities to update their plans. They give cities projected populations,
employment and household information. As of April 2017, Chanhassen’s population was around 25,000. In 2040
it’s projected to be 38,000. Employment is currently at 10-11,000 jobs and is projected to be around 17,000 jobs
in 2040. The household information is important because the school district also uses it to plan their projected
needs, buildings and budgets. Kate asked the commission if they knew what type of housing produced the most
children. Bill answered correctly – single family residential. There’s an average of 2.7 people per household. In
the ‘90’s, the average per household was 3 people. Kate shared that a diversity in housing stock gives population
strength and financial stability to communities since people can continue to live in the same community. Life-
cycle housing is a benefit for a community. Chanhassen will grow faster than Eden Prairie or Minnetonka in the
future because of the available land in the community. Kate said that after the city agrees to the projected
numbers from the Met Council, then the update process begins starting with density then a transportation plan
which will include where the deficiencies are in the city. Sewer and water will be covered since development is
limited somewhat by access to sewer, water and lift stations. The capital improvement plan will cover issues like
how can the city manage and pay for development. The house plan addresses items like what price point the city
is missing. Parks and Trails along with Natural Resources and Water will also have chapters in the plan. The city
sends the water plan to the DNR who needs to approve it. Water supply from wells is limited by the DNR and the
city also has to show what it’s doing to conserve water in the community. Some examples of how the city
accomplishes this include the topsoil requirement for new homes, tiered rates for water and the WaterWise
program. In the Land Use section a map of the uses guides the different areas of the city and provides a vision for
the community. The city will submit a draft Comp Plan to the school district, county and neighboring cities for
review. By law, the city needs to implement the plan within six months of approval. Public hearings are
scheduled for this fall and the public comment period remains open for 6 months. It’s hoped that the City Council
will be able to adopt the 2040 plan by February 2018.
Charlotte commented on how the plan addresses water quality, ponds and lakes and wondered will the city
continue to revise goals as they’re reached? Kate replied that each new revision of the Comp Plan has new goals
based on accomplishments. Bill thought that salt and dog poop should be included in the NR chapter. A public
education campaign is needed for both of those issues. Bill also wondered how much salt is used by the city
versus residential and business use. Some commercial parking lots seem to use excessive amounts of salt.
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Charlotte wants to be sure that tree diversity, pollinators, water conservation, litter, and any rare animals found in
Chan are also addressed in the chapter. Preservation of corridors and green spaces is important as well. Charlotte
wondered what the ratio was of developed area vs natural areas and what the ultimate goal is for that ratio. Kate
said she didn’t know right now but would see if she could find the answer for that. Keith wondered about green
space corridors and whether the city does or will work with neighboring communities to join corridors across
regions. This would be important for wildlife movement. Underpasses for busy roads would also be an
appropriate goal. Kate shared that there are a number of underpasses on Hwy 5 along Bluff Creek and its
tributaries. Another is planned for the intersection at 41 and 5.
2017 Arbor Day summary: The weather was beautiful that day and the event went very well. It was suggested
that perhaps next year commissioners could each speak briefly on or be responsible for an aspect of the event such
as recycling, group photo, etc. Bill suggested that next year’s park should be Power Hill Park.
July 3 planning: The commission will focus on Pollinators for the July 3 trade fair. Ideas for the booth: get
plants from The Garden or Mustard Seed to display; ask Bee Lab for bee display; give out honey straws; tattoos
were popular last year. Commissioners agreed to come to next meeting with list of resources for handouts or
websites.
Joint meeting summary: GreenStep presentation went well. The city manager will be gathering information on
program implementation and investment from different cities. He’ll bring that research back to the council. One
the important questions asked at the meeting was why would the city want to participate? Keith offered that one
of the best reasons is simply that it would save the city money.
General Discussion:
The commission wanted to add ‘Comp Plan draft recommendations’ to the June agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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