1-31-2006 Special meeting regarding NWQ

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Approved Greenfield approached the Commission and addressed Commissioners Schiferl’s concerns. She stated that David Bernard Builder and Developers focus has primarily been on urban, in fill, and brown field type sites. The first sustainability and green use that they are addressing is reuse and reclaiming of an area that is currently undesirable. They have asked Excel Energy to do an energy modeling on their senior buildings and they are doing their home efficiency review on all of the town home buildings. Excel will be looking at everything, from how the buildings will be constructed to what light switches will be used. Excel will then come in and use a blower door test to see if the building meets its design standards. They also are constructing smaller homes which cost less to heat and maintain. Excel will not be done with their review for quite some time and will not coincide with the planning process. They will be including rain sensors on all the water irrigation systems, so if it is raining the sprinkler systems will not go on. They are not supportive of green water recycling; they just don’t have the capacity or area to do that in this development. They currently have pilot program going on at another development site, which they use multi-sort containers for construction recycling. They will not know the results of the program at this point and time, but they will look at doing a similar program here if it is successful. She added that the City will need to decide how the recycling program will work for this housing development, will the haulers be able to go into the development or will they required a one spot recycling container. Their garages are designed to allow for multiple recycling and garbage containers. They currently are not supportive of using recycled or low voc paints, because they are not widely available and the color selection is narrow, however they will consider them as they become more accessible. Home buyers will have the opportunity to purchase recycled tiles and carpet from the tile and carpet stores and they may be willing to provide some education about those materials. They do use certified lumber, which means that the forest that the wood is cut from is sustainable and renewable. They also use OSB products, which is made from recyclable woods products. The City is responsible for the design of the storm water retention system. The City’s Engineering Department has decided to handle the storm water with typical detention ponds, which is pond and pipes. They have asked the developers to include infiltration benches, so when the water rises to a certain point the water will fan out and have an opportunity to infiltrate back into the soil before it over flows. David Bernard is looking a putting swale, rain guard or small basin along the rail road track, but not bio- engineered trenches. Greenfield stated that they are willing to continue to have conversations regarding this issue and will continue to look at products that will ensure sustainability and green use. Schiferl stated that this was a much more satisfactory answer; he will continue to bring this topic up and will look to see if these items are being done. O’Keefe recommended amendments to the Recommendation of Approval to the following Items: Item number 2 to show that the central and northern trail connections are part of the site plan, Item 6 add “and revisions to provide easements to trails and private streets as deemed necessary by the City Engineer”, the listing of approved building material should have it’s own item which could come after the typical building elevations, Item 12 should read the “trails and trail bridge should hold the weight of a patrol car”, and Item 13A “clarification of maintenance responsibilities for land dedicated for park space or trails within the preliminary plat.” Greenfield stated they do not anticipate constructing the bridge to hold a patrol car, but they do support the tunnel being made wide enough to allow a patrol car to pass through. They have designed the trials wide and strong enough to allow a Jeep to travel on them. Schiferl inquired if Commissioner O’Keefe’s suggestion of Item 12 should be removed. Baker replied that it should stay in, but that the language to “support the weight of a patrol car” would be removed. I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\Minutes\2006\1-31-2006 Special meeting regarding NWQ.doc