2020-07-27 EC Agenda Packet
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
This meeting will be held via Cisco Webex in accordance with the local emergency declaration made
by the City under Minn. Stat. § 12.37. The public may monitor this meeting by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering the meeting code 141 267 1740. For technical assistance, please contact support
staff at 763-593-8007 or webexsupport@goldenvalleymn.gov. If you incur costs to call into the
meeting, you may submit the costs to the City for reimbursement consideration. Additional
information about for monitoring electronic meetings is available on the City website.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of June 22, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes (5 min)
5. Old Business
A. Partners In Energy Update (5 min)
B. Curbside Organics Collection Update (5 min)
C. Environmental Justice Collaboration (20 min)
(Action Requested)
D. Downtown Study (20 min)
(Action Requested)
6. New Business
A. Farewell to Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps member (5 min)
B. Pollinators – Chemical Application Practices and Procedures (10 min)
C. Program/Project Updates (5 min)
D. Council Updates (5 min)
E. Other Business (5 min)
7. Adjournment
July 27, 2020 – 6:30 pm
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
This meeting will be held via Cisco Webex in accordance with the local emergency declaration made
by the City under Minn. Stat. § 12.37. The public may monitor this meeting by calling 1-415-655-
0001 and entering the meeting code 133 664 8518. For technical assistance, please contact support
staff at 763-593-8007 or webexsupport@goldenvalleymn.gov. If you incur costs to call into the
meeting, you may submit the costs to the City for reimbursement consideration. Additional
information about for monitoring electronic meetings is available on the City website.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Seys at 6:30.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Scott Seys, Debra Yahle, Tonia Galonska, Dawn Hill, Jim Stremmel,
Wendy Weirich, Shannon Hansen
Commissioners absent: None
Council Members present: None
Staff present: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor;
Drew Chirpich, Environmental Specialist
Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Yahle to approve the agenda of June
22, 2020 and the motion carried.
4. Approval of May 18, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Galonska, seconded by Commissioner Weirich to approve the minutes
of May 18, 2020 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Old Business
A. Update on Commission Bylaws
i. At its last meeting City Council approved the changes to the bylaws proposed by
the Commission in 2019. The Commission reviewed its bylaws in 2020 and had no
changes. The Commission is set to review its bylaws again in 2023.
June 22, 2020 – 6:30 pm
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 – 6:30 pm
2
B. Partners in Energy Update (PIE)
i. 2-year Cooperative Program with Xcel Energy.
ii. City is working on developing an Energy Action Plan.
1. 6 months of planning.
2. 18 months of implementation.
iii. Currently in the recruitment phase of a 12-14 member team. Recruitment has
begun.
1. It is an open process.
2. The fillable form application is ready to go.
3. Council Member Larry Fonnest will oversee/chair the selection
committee along with some staff members.
4. The recommendation for the planning action team members will be
forwarded to the council for approval hopefully by the second council
meeting in July.
5. Webpage will be live soon – The landing page will have a description of
what the members duties and responsibilities will be, what PIE is, and
the application.
6. Communications will be posting a news feed on the website, as well as
Facebook and Twitter posts.
iv. There will be 3-5 workshops between July and December to create the Energy
Action Plan.
C. Curbside Organics Collection Update
i. Commission’s recommendation and report went before the Council/Manager
Meeting on June 9. Council acknowledged the Commission’s good work and
directed staff to carry out the recommendation to implement an All-In
Everyone Pays city contract for curbside organics collection.
ii. Next will be to iron out the details of a city contract and request for proposal
(RFP).
iii. Next steps:
1. Letting the community know about the program. Continue to provide
information and education about what’s going to happen.
2. Promote the program.
3. Staff will look at the more technical details:
a. Continue to work with haulers, Hennepin County, and other
cities around Golden Valley.
b. Will use contracts and RFP’s from other cities as a guide for our
contract.
c. Will look into costs to run program and how to run it.
d. Will talk about it again in a couple of months at an EC meeting
when there is more information to share then bring it to
another Council/Manager meeting before issuing the RFP.
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 – 6:30 pm
3
4. We’re looking to issue the RFP late this year and award the contract by
early next year.
5. In 2021 we’ll work with the Communications staff and Hennepin County
to promote the program to make sure people know how to participate
and what they can recycle.
6. Still shooting for January 1, 2022.
7. This will go before the Council at one or more televised meetings to
award the contract, approve the budget, and change the ordinance as
needed.
6. New Business
A. Environmental Justice Collaboration
i. Proposed collaboration between the EC Commission and the Human Rights
Commission to look at equity and environmental and climate justice in Golden
Valley.
ii. Possible joint commission meeting in future.
iii. Three-Prong Approach:
1. Educational Seminar with a focus on climate change and climate equity.
a. In person seminar may not be possible due to the pandemic.
b. Would be open to the general public in Golden Valley.
2. Technical/mapping analysis to identify areas of the City that may have
inequities in green space and green amenities, trees and vegetation, access
to parks and trails.
3. Community Service event that may or may not be paired with 1 & 2 above.
a. Is there an area or property in the City where we can partner and
plant trees, rain garden, or community garden?
b. How would that work with the COVID-19 pandemic?
c. Other commissioner ideas included:
i. Local food and pollinator gardens with edible plant options.
ii. Transportation – ped, bike, transit, etc.
iv. Staff reviewed statistics and mapping from the US Census and local sources:
a. Majority of homes were built between 1951 and 1970.
b. Staff reviewed average home value by census block to view the
wide range of values.
c. Staff reviewed percent renter-occupied households by census block.
d. Demographic make-up in City: White 85% (compared with 79% in
MN), Black 8%, Asian 5%, Latinx 2%, Indigenous 1 %.
e. There are 10 NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing)
properties in Golden Valley.
f. Staff reviewed percent age 65 and older by census block group.
g. Impervious surface area - staff reviewed maps of percent
impervious cover by census block. There are several areas that are
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 – 6:30 pm
4
over 50% impervious surface coverage, many with multi-family
housing present.
h. The City has about 40% overall tree canopy coverage (30%-40% is
considered good and the City’s goal is to maintain over 40%):
i. Studies show a person’s quality of life, physical health, and
mental health are better with more trees and natural
vegetation.
ii. There are several pockets in the City where there is
inadequate tree cover (under 40%).
iii. Public trees have been inventoried within public Rights of
Way, parks, Brookview golf course, city campuses, and many
nature areas and open spaces.
v. Golden Valley is hiring an Equity Manager to work on diversity and inclusion, and
address inequities in the organization and the larger community.
vi. Where do we have vulnerable populations that are more susceptible to the
impacts of climate change?
vii. Where can we invest in the community that has been historically lacking and that
would benefit traditionally underrepresented groups?
More information and maps, including a mashup of all layers above, will be shown to the
commission in July to see if there are areas of the City to target for partnership and
investment in green amenities.
B. Downtown Study
i. June 9 – Council gave direction to staff at the council manager meeting to go
forward with phase 3. Phase 1 & 2 studies are completed.
ii. Focuses of Phase 2 – Live, Work, Play.
1. Walkable, bikeable. A lot of new trails, sidewalks and connections to
transit.
2. Highlight Bassett Creek corridor better.
iii. Phase 3 will focus more on design guidelines and small area plans. Areas (or
quadrants) are divided by the Winnetka Ave and Golden Valley Rd intersection.
1. Will work first on the NE Quadrant (City Hall/Library) and SW Quadrant
areas.
a. NE Quadrant: Possibly move the Public Works buildings elsewhere
in the community. Move City Hall, Police and Fire closer to where
the library is located in a consolidated campus near the creek, and
build a mix of residential, commercial, retail and office space with
more green space and ped connections.
b. SW Quadrant: Staff showed the concept plans for this area form
the phase 2 study.
2. The Commission brainstormed ideas for environmental considerations and
discussed potential design guidelines to forward to the City’s planning
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
April 27, 2019 – 6:30 pm
5
consultant for the phase 3 study. The list of ideas will be refined for review
and approval at the commission’s July meeting.
C. Pollinators
i. Inventory of Chemicals – staff presented a list of chemicals used on city properties,
which may be posted on the City’s pollinator webpage for informational purposes.
A list of the City’s best practices and procedures for applying chemicals will be
presented and discussed at the July meeting.
ii. Developing New Plots and Habitats – staff discussed ideas for including edible
plants in the pollinator plots being developed throughout the City. The commission
was supportive of the idea.
D. Program/Project Updates
i. Question on Narrow Lots and what exactly this means:
1. Single-family residential properties in Golden Valley come in a variety of
shapes and sizes. A vast majority of residential lots were created under
regulations that require at least 80 feet of width and at least 10,000 square
feet of area per lot. However, pockets of the city were planned (platted)
before those rules were in place, resulting in blocks of properties that are
only 60, 50, or even 40 feet wide and that may be as small as 5,000 square
feet.
2. Recent development pressures on these narrower lots concerned some
neighbors and prompted the City Council to take action. The City is
studying potential issues regarding narrow lots so the Council can consider
whether to make zoning code changes by spring 2020.
E. Council Updates
i. None
F. Other Business
i. No update on a new student member.
7. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Yahle, seconded by Commissioner Stremmel to adjourn the
meeting at 8:26 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ _________________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Scott Seys, Chair
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: July 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Environmental Justice Collaboration
The Environmental Commission’s 2020 work plan includes working collaboratively with the
Human Rights Commission to address the issue of environmental justice and more specifically
climate justice in our community. More information about our existing disparities and climate
vulnerabilities can be found at:
The Minnesota Equity Blueprint
Golden Valley Rising TIDES 2020 Annual Report (attached in the June agenda packet)
Hennepin County Climate Action Plan
City’s Resilience and Sustainability Plan
The 2020 work plan includes the following actions:
• Community Outreach: Use a portion of the Commission’s $3,500 budget to:
o fund a joint project, speaker, or event with the Human Rights Commission (HRC)
• Climate Justice and Environmental Justice: Partner with Human Rights Commission on joint
project, event, or speaker. May require joint meeting. Ties in well with City’s Resilience and
Sustainability Plan. Potential ideas for collaboration include:
o hosting a speaker on climate justice and environmental justice focusing on climate
adaptation and resilience or promoting community gardens and local food production
o sponsoring a project in an area of the City with inequities of green space and
amenities, or pairing a community event with planting trees and vegetation in that
area
At the June commission meeting, Chair Seys provided an update on his conversations with HRC
Chair Chris Mitchell, and staff shared data and maps to highlight the existing disparities and
climate vulnerabilities and provide visual aid in the discussion. Maps from the June meeting are
attached to this memo and links below provide additional context.
Mapping Prejudice (U of MN layer showing racial covenants and deed restrictions by parcel)
Emergency Expense Risk Index (This layer shows the risk that households within an area would
not be able to afford a $400 emergency expense. This is EERI 2017 data shown by census block
group.)
Senior Well-Being (Percent of Population that is 65 Years and Over by census tract 2014-2018)
Limited Ability to Speak English (2011-2015 data by census tract. Type zip code into search box)
Here is the high-level plan that Chair Seys and the HRC subcommittee have recommended so far
(this is still evolving and details still need to be worked out):
Three-pronged approach
1. Community Education and Outreach - speaker on climate justice on or near September 11
National Day of Service. The HRC is taking the lead and the EC will help plan,
sponsor/host, and contribute resources.
2. Mapping and Data Analysis – understand and visualize disparities and inequities with
respect to green amenities and environmental resources, and show where partnership,
investment, and service events could occur. The EC is taking the lead with input from HRC.
3. Community Service Event – Plant trees and other vegetation, install rain garden,
community garden, pollinator habitat/food plot. This could occur in 2020, but due to
limitations surrounding COVID, and to allow time to build relationships and partnerships,
this may occur in spring 2021. The HRC is taking the lead and the EC will help plan,
sponsor/host, and contribute resources.
In order to continue the collaboration with the HRC in an efficient manner, it was suggested that
the Environmental Commission do like the HRC and form a small subcommittee of 2-3 members
tasked with communicating and coordinating directly with HRC’s subcommittee members
between meetings and up through the events in order to execute the plan above. Chair Seys will
be asking for volunteers to assist him with this effort at the July meeting. Following brief
discussion, it is requested the Commission approve the forming of a subcommittee to work on
the environmental justice collaboration with the HRC.
A joint meeting with the two commissions may also be scheduled in the future as we continue to
work together on this collaborative project.
Regarding the mapping and data analysis, staff has continued to look for new sources of social,
economic, and environmental information and merge these data within maps to show where
Golden Valley has existing inequities in green amenities and environmental resources and where
future partnerships, investments, and service events could be proposed. At the July meeting,
staff will show the results of its latest analysis.
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
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0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census BlockStatistics
Average Year Built
1926 - 1950
1951 - 1970
1971 - 1990
1991 - 2018
No Data
Multi-Family Dwelling
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
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£¤169
0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census BlockStatistics
Average Home Value
$168,187 - $299,999
$300,000 - $449,999
$450,000 - $649,999
$650,000 - $802,000
No Data
Multi-Family Dwelling
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
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0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census Block GroupStatistics
Renter Occupied
0% - 12%
13% - 23%
24% - 35%
36% - 46%
Multi-Family Dwelling
Data is from the 2000 Census.
456766
456770
456766
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4567156 4567102
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West EndApartments
Mallard CreekApartments
Valley VillageApartments
Valley ViewApartments
Laurel atWest End
Trentwoo d Ap artm en ts
Copacabana Apartments
Valley C reek
Colonial Apartments Crossro ad s Ap artm en ts
Multi-Family Rental P roperties
0 2,500 5,0001,250 Feet
Sources: Print Date: 8/4/2017-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2017).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.I
Multi-Family Rental Property
Naturally Occuring Affordable Housing
All Other Properties
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
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4567156
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0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census Block GroupStatistics
Aged 65 &Older
4% - 10%
11% - 20%
21% - 30%
31% - 40%
i Nursing Home / LongTerm Care Facility
Multi-Family Dwelling
Data is from the 2010 Census.
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
456740
4567156
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0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census BlockStatistics
Non-White Population
0% - 15%
16% - 30%
31% - 60%
61% - 92%
No Data
Multi-Family Dwelling
Data is from the 2010 Census.
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
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IPrint Date: 6/17/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census BlockStatistics
Percent Impervious
0% - 20%
21% - 40%
41% - 60%
61% - 80%
81% - 100%
Multi-Family Dwelling
Impervious percent is based on the University of Minneosta's Digital Conservancy for Land Cover (2016).
C I T Y O F C R Y S T A L
C I T Y O F R O B B I N S D A L E
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R K
CITY OF MINNEAPOLISCITY OFST. LOUIS PARKCITY OF ROBBINSDALECITY OF CRYSTAL
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
C I T Y O F N E W H O P E
CITY OF PLYMOUTHCITY OF MINNEAPOLISC I T Y O F S T . L O U I S P A R KCITY OFPLYMOUTH456766
456770
456766
456740
456740
4567156
4567102
§¨¦394
§¨¦394
Æÿ55
Æÿ55
Æÿ100
Æÿ100
£¤169
£¤169
0 1,800 3,600900Feet
IPrint Date: 6/18/2020Sources:-Hennepin County Surveyors Office for Property Lines (2020).-City of Golden Valley for all other layers.
Census BlockStatistics
Tree Canopy
0% - 20%
21% - 40%
41% - 60%
61% - 80%
Tree Canopy
Multi-Family Dwelling
Inventoried Public Tree
Tree Canopy percent is based on the University of Minneosta's Digital Conservancy for Land Cover (2016).
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: July 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Eric Eckman, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Subject: Downtown Redevelopment Study – Environmental Considerations
At its June 9 Council/Manager meeting, City Council directed staff to begin working on Phase 3 of
the Downtown Study which will include the development of design guidelines and small areas
plans for certain catalyst quadrants of the study area. Design guidelines will be developed for all
four quadrants relating to sites, buildings, streets and walk/bikeways. Implementation strategies
will be researched and identified. Click here to review the June 9 meeting materials and the
Phase 2 Study reports and concept plans.
In its 2020 Work Plan, the Environmental Commission included the following action:
• Downtown Redevelopment Study: Engage in environmental aspects of the study and
plan
Consistent with the work plan, the Commission would like to engage early in the community
input process by providing Council and staff with a prioritized list of environmental site design
guidelines, and/or environmental goals and considerations for Phase 3 of the study. These may
be based on the City’s Resilience and Sustainability Plan or other factors.
Below is a list of environmental considerations the Commission generated at its June meeting
and would like to forward to the City’s planning staff and the consultant for this study.
• Require higher energy efficiency standards and renewable energy generation or its
infrastructure in each building in the downtown area.
• Strive for buildings that are net zero energy, and zero waste.
• Support microgrids that provide efficiency, security, and back-up power (added by staff
from Resilience and Sustainability Plan).
• Include electric vehicle charging stations and/or infrastructure at all development sites.
• Require bike facilities at all buildings.
• Plan, design, and maintain infrastructure to accommodate emerging vehicle technology,
most notably, connected and automated vehicles (added by staff from Resilience and
Sustainability Plan).
• Mimic Hopkins downtown with storefronts and green amenities along the street and
parking behind buildings.
• Require the vast majority of parking spaces be contained within stacked/decked parking
ramps instead of land extensive at-grade parking lots.
• Design buildings (with architectural angles, etc.) and windows in a way that minimizes the
number of bird strikes.
• Create more outdoor meeting/gathering spaces, especially near Bassett Creek.
• Reduce impervious surface area where possible, and use lighter colored pavements and
building materials to mitigate urban heat island effect (added by staff from Resilience and
Sustainability Plan)
• Green spaces should be designed and maintained in an environmentally sustainable way
to discourage weed growth and reduce inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, and other
chemical application. Encourage native plantings over manicured landscapes.
• Credits or amenity points for implementing above-ground (green) versus below-ground
(gray) stormwater infrastructure.
• Encourage developers to retain stormwater runoff onsite and to reuse it whenever
feasible (added by staff from Resilience and Sustainability Plan)
• Design trails, walks and gathering spaces to reduce the need for salt and chemicals in
winter (subsurface heating and melting systems, solar access to hard surfaces, place trees
and tall structures on north side, etc.).
Attached are PUD Amenity Options from the City’s Planned Unit Development zoning code. The
Commission may want to consider adding some variation of these to their list as well.
Commissioners should come to the July 27 meeting prepared to discuss and refine the list and
make a recommendation to approve and forward it to the City’s planning staff and consultant for
consideration and inclusion in the Phase 3 Downtown Redevelopment Study.
7/22/2020 Golden Valley, MN Code of Ordinances
1/3
PUD Amenity Options
Points Amenity Standards
5 Green roof Installation of an extensive, intensive, or semi-intensive, modular or
integrated green roof system that covers a minimum of 50 percent of the
total roof area proposed for the development.
5 A ordable housing units Provide a ordable housing units beyond the minimum amount required in
the City's Mixed-Income Housing Policy (and comply with all other provisions
in the Policy). Three options of a ordability include:
• An additional 10 percent of units within development are rented or sold at
30 percent of Area Median Income or less.
• An additional 20 percent of units within development are rented or sold at
50 percent of Area Median Income or less.
• An additional 30 percent of units within development are rented or sold at
80 percent of Area Median Income or less.
4 Public open space Contiguous ground level outdoor open space that is provided beyond the
amount of open space required in the underlying zoning district
requirements. The space shall preserve the natural landscape while providing
the opportunity for members of the public to interact with the natural habitat
using walkways, benches, or other mechanisms.
4 Utilization of a renewable energy
source
Use of a photovoltaic or wind electrical system, solar thermal system and/or
a geothermal heating and cooling system for at least 50 percent of the annual
energy demand in new and existing buildings The applicant must
demonstrate that the quantity of energy generated by the renewable energy
system meets the required percentage through a whole building energy
simulation. Renewable energy sources shall be in accordance with the
underlying zoning district and any other applicable requirements of the City
Code.
4 Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED)
Platinum certi cation
The proposed development shall achieve LEED Platinum certi cation
approved by a LEED accredited professional (LEED-AP) by a date determined
in the development agreement. During the PUD approval process, the
developer must submit a LEED checklist and documentation to the City that
shows the project will comply with LEED Platinum requirements.
7/22/2020 Golden Valley, MN Code of Ordinances
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PUD Amenity Options
Points Amenity Standards
3 Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Gold
certi cation
The proposed development shall achieve LEED Gold certi cation approved by
a LEED accredited professional (LEED-AP) by a date determined in the
development agreement. During the PUD approval process, the developer
must submit a LEED checklist and documentation to the City that shows the
project will comply with LEED Gold requirements.
3 Community garden Permanent and viable growing space and/or facilities such as a greenhouse
or a garden, which provides fencing, watering systems, soil, secured storage
spaces for tools, solar access, and pedestrian access as applicable. The facility
shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the development to
minimize the visibility of mechanical equipment.
3 Public recreation area An active, safe, and secure outdoor recreation area open and visible to the
public that includes equipment or natural features suitable for recreational
use.
3 Public plaza Plazas shall be open to the public during daylight hours and provide
opportunities for the public to interact with the space using outdoor
furniture, art, or other mechanisms.
3 Public art The art shall be maintained in good order for the life of the principal
structure. The art shall be located where it is highly visible to the public. If
located indoors, such space shall be clearly visible and easily accessible from
adjacent sidewalks or streets.
3 Creation or preservation of
signi cant/historic architecture
Creation, preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of designed historic
landmarks or signi cant architectural features as a part of the development.
2 Enhanced bicycle and pedestrian
facilities
Eligible facilities may include a combination of the following: heated transit
shelter, bicycle repair tools, rest area, way nding signs, sheltered walkway,
woonerf, and other amenities that increase the convenience and encourage
the use of public walkways and bikeways beyond what is otherwise required
in the underlying zoning district.
2 Innovative stormwater
management
The design must provide capacity for in ltrating stormwater beyond what is
required by the City and watershed district and the design must serve as a
visual amenity to the property and be re ective of innovative techniques.
1 Water feature usable to public A water feature, including, but not limited to, a re ecting pond, a children's
play feature, or a fountain shall be located where it is highly visible and
useable by the public.
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PUD Amenity Options
Points Amenity Standards
1 Shared bicycle and vehicle facilities Accommodation for shared vehicles or shared bicycles on site. The shared
service provider must be committed in writing to the use of the space in
order to be eligible.
1 Enhanced landscaping A landscaping plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect that provides
exceptional design with a variety of pollinators and native trees, shrubs, and
plant types that provide seasonal interest and that exceed minimum City
standards.
1 Electric car charging station An electric vehicle charging station accessible to residents, employees, and/or
the public providing connections at the rate of ve percent of the required
parking spaces.
G:\Environmental Commission\Memos
Date: July 23, 2020
To: Environmental Commission
From: Emma Pierson, MN GreenCorps Member
Subject: Pollinators - Maintenance Practices and Procedures for Chemical Application
The Environmental Commission 2020 Work Plan includes the following action:
• Pollinators: Complete actions listed in the City’s Pollinator Protection Resolution, such as:
o Completing an inventory of chemicals and continuing to reduce and target the
application of chemicals on City properties
The first step of this action was to inventory the chemicals currently being used in maintenance
operations on City owned and managed properties. This step was completed at the June 2020
Commission meeting.
The next step is to document and review the City’s maintenance practices and procedures with
respect to the application of chemicals. Staff gathered information from Park Maintenance,
Street Maintenance, and Golf Maintenance staff.
Staff overseeing chemical application are trained and certified by the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture and all products are applied according to state and federal law and label
recommendations. Phosphorus-free fertilizer and herbicides on high-use turf areas are applied on
a limited, as-needed basis. The City also utilizes weather forecasting, instrumentation, and
technology to more efficiently and effectively target and apply products.
Park Maintenance:
The Park Maintenance Division utilizes phosphorus-free fertilizer and herbicides on an as needed
basis only. There is no regular schedule for chemical application in the parks. Park staff
continually assess the athletic fields, general park areas and other public spaces (city hall campus,
etc.) to determine needs.
Following are areas managed with phosphorus-free fertilizer and herbicides as needed:
- Athletic Fields – Fertilize as needed. No need for herbicides because of irrigation and
vigorous turf growth.
- Ballfield Infields and Fence Lines – Spot treat with herbicide as needed. Started spot
treating with growth regulator in 2020 under fence lines, etc. due to lack of resources to
line trim parks (COVID-related measure). We do not currently have Hennepin County
Sentencing to Service crews who would regularly complete this work.
- Campus and Fire Stations – Fertilize as needed. Very limited use of herbicide. Used a
granular “weed and feed” in 2020 because these areas have not been treated for several
years and in some areas weed density exceeded 50% cover. Some landscaped areas (rock
and wood mulch areas) are hand pulled or spot treated for weeds as needed)
- Streetscapes – City staff try to utilize Hennepin County STS as much as possible to hand
pull or line trim weeds within the streetscape planters throughout the community.
However, the areas to manage have grown over the years and this task has become
overwhelming. Staff is working towards trying to contract out the management of these
vast areas. This work will include a variety of integrated plant management tools.
- General Park Areas – Other than Brookview Park, no general park areas are targeted for
fertilizer or herbicides use unless the area was:
o Recently restored do to some type of improvement
o Weed density is significant enough to eliminate turf and begin to become an
erosion issue.
- Brookview Park – Due to the significant rental and event use of Brookview Park, some
areas are targeted for fertilization and herbicide use on an as needed basis only. The
entire park is irrigated and this helps limit the need for herbicide. A granular broad leaf
“weed and feed” was utilized in 2020 in a few areas that have not been treated in several
years. These areas were primarily high traffic areas (tennis camp traffic, etc) that have
significant impacts to turf survival.
- Buckthorn Control – The City has a buckthorn management program for public property.
The program utilizes Hennepin County Sentencing to Service (STS) crews and volunteers
to complete. City staff and STS trained/certified supervisors are provided herbicides
designated for stump treatment only.
Street Maintenance
Street Maintenance uses a staff member that is a licensed applicator to apply herbicide to weeds
growing in sidewalks, along sound walls, and on the center medians. This task is performed once
a year, generally in May and follow all weather-related guidance while applying.
Brookview Maintenance
- Brookview Community Center – Hand pull or spot treat for weeds around the building.
Granular fertilizer is used for the perennial flowers and shrubs usually in spring.
- Brookview Golf Course –
o The Greens are sprayed every 14 days or depending on disease pressure with a
liquid fertilizer and fungicides throughout the season.
o The Tee Boxes are sprayed based on disease pressure with a fungicide. Granular
fertilizer application occurs in spring and fall.
o The Fairways are sprayed based on disease pressure with a fungicide. Granular
fertilizer application occurs in spring and fall.
o The Rough areas and the remaining property are spot sprayed with an herbicide
based on weed pressure. Application occurs in the spring and fall.
Following discussion, the Commission is being asked to receive and file this list of practices and
procedures.
PROGRAM/PROJECT UPDATES – July 2020
GREENCORPS
Member for 2020-2021 service term – The City has been informed that they have been selected to host a GreenCorps
member for the upcoming 2020-2021 service term. The member will be in the Air Pollution Reduction track and will
work on many of the City’s sustainability and energy reduction goals.
Market in the Valley- This year City staff and our current serving GreenCorps member, will help to make the event more
sustainable by providing the opportunity to recycle organics at the market, and eventually will try to move towards
making Market in the Valley a zero-waste event.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Pennsylvania Woods DNR Habitat Grant – The City recently received confirmation that it was selected to receive a
habitat grant for areas of the Pennsylvania Woods Nature Area that are outside of the DeCola Ponds B and C Flood
Mitigation project boundaries. The project will involve the removal of buckthorn and other invasive species, and the
planting and establishment of native vegetation. The contract has been awarded to Landbridge Ecological, and the
project is expected to commence this fall.
WATER RESOURCES
DeCola Ponds Flood Mitigation Projects - The DeCola Ponds B and C Project is about 95% complete. The excavation and
utility work is complete, the trails have been paved, and the City’s native vegetation contractor has installed all trees,
shrubs, plant plugs, and seeding except for the bare-root tree planting scheduled for late summer.
The City and Bassett Creek Watershed are beginning to plan and study the next flood mitigation project areas. The
Wildwood Park/SEA School area has been identified as having potential for flood storage to benefit properties around
DeCola Ponds D, E, and F. A planning level study to understand opportunities and challenges and develop concepts is
underway and includes engagement with the community, the school, and nearby stakeholders. The Isaacson
Park/Industrial Area is also being looked at for potential future flood storage. The DNR is supportive of the projects in
Golden Valley and has requested flood damage reduction funding in the 2020 state bonding bill this legislative session. It
is still unclear whether a bonding bill will move forward.
Look for another community engagement opportunity in August to review the concept plans developed for the
Wildwood Park/SEA School area based on valuable input provided to date.
PLANNING AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENTS
June 18, 2020
Planning Commission
Narrow Lots—A Zoning Text Amendment to modify regulations for homes built on narrow lots (those 65 feet in width and
less). The Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 8 and discussed eight different changes to the Zoning
Chapter focusing on narrow lots. 53 comments were submitted as part of the public record via an on-line form; three
callers provided input during the hearing. The Commission continued the hearing to June 22 in order to give staff
additional time to address questions related to shading and dormers. The City Council approved the proposed changes at
the July 21st meeting.
City Council
Tobacco Sales Restrictions—A Zoning Text Amendment to restrict the sale of tobacco products based on nearby uses was
approved on June 16 (5-0). Following recent City action to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco, to raise the age of sales to
21, and to cap the number of City tobacco licenses, the new regulations add locational restrictions around schools, parks,
and other youth-oriented centers.
1421 Rhode Island Ave N—An appeal of a variance denial around a driveway and curb cut was heard by the City Council
on June 16. The Council voted (5-0) to uphold the BZA decision and require the second driveway be removed.
4725 Olson Memorial Highway—An appeal of a variance denial around adding two accessible spaces at the end of the
frontage road cul-de-sac was heard by the City Council on June 16. After discussing options with staff, the Council voted
(5-0) to approve the variance with three conditions that addressed concerns regarding snow removal, visibility, and
construction.
Other Updates
Temporary Outdoor Service Areas—In order to meeting the Governor’s orders allowing outdoor dining, staff worked to
develop a process for reviewing and approving applications from local restaurants in order to allow them to conduct
business outdoors. The City is offering temporary waivers to various zoning requirements including setbacks and parking
counts. All liquor licenses requirements, building codes, and fire codes must still be met. Five restaurants, in addition to
Brookview’s Three One Six Bar + Grill, have opened.
Downtown Study, Phase III—At the June 9 Council/Manager meeting, the City Council gave the go ahead to move forward
with Phase III of the Downtown Study. HKGi will resume its work in July and will further refine designs for three catalyst
sites in addition to producing design guidelines for the downtown area. A small area plan for the downtown will be ready
for adoption as part of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan at the conclusion of the process.