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CR 2000-013 Approve Site Mangement Plan Concept Hopkins Landfill e e e CITY OF ~ January 12, 2000 NOPKINS Council Report 2000-13 APPROVE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN CONCEPT HOPKINS LANDFILL Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council approve a site management plan concept as it concerns the Hopkins 7th Street Landfill. Overview In 1998 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notified the City of its intention to install a 6~foot perimeter fence on the Hopkins Landfill site. City staff and representatives from landfill neighbor resident associations met with the MPCA to VOlce concern over this plan. The associations were and have been opposed to any fence installation that might give the site a fortress appearance or place a negative impact on property values. The agency and City staff agreed to pursue a site management plan that would address concerns for site security, property values and community recreation needs. After some delays and false starts that agency and Hopkins are prepared to make a plan commitment. Primary Issues to Consider . The landfill as a passive open space . 1998-1999 activities . Elements of a site management plan . Communications with residents . Staff recommendation Supporting Information . Preliminary trail design . Typical sign posting ~~ Jds Gesselc Engineering Superintendent Cuuncil Report 2000 13 January 12, 2000 Pnge 2 e Analysis e e . The landfill nS a passive open space From the outset of this issue staff and neighborhood residents have advocated for maintaining the landfill surface as a passive open space in a semi-natural state whose use would still ensure the integrity of the landfill cover. Construction of appropriate walking trails and maintenance of prairie grasses have been major elements in the City's scheme of an open-space use. The MPCA reacted to this stance by presenting a "Site Management Plan" concept to the City in May 1998. The plan included a request for City ordinances limiting access to the landfill by unauthorized personnel using motorized and unmotorized vehicles. The City responded by adopting Ordinance No. 98-816 which completely revamped Section 830, Parks and Recreation Areas of the City Code and created a new subdivision titled "Passive Open Space" and added language meeting the MPCA's request concerning vehicular access. This was accomplished in October 1998. Provisions in the City Code are in place for the City to designate the former landfill an open space within the context of a site management plan. . 1998-1999 Activities From the summer of 1998 through the fall of 1999 the MPCA has made attempts to live without a total perimeter fence at the landfill. The site is currently secured by fencing at the north end and parts of the east side abutting Minnesota Mini Storage. Otherwise there has been free, and for the most part, unmotorized access. The Agency has taken measures to secure well heads with fence installations around each well. Also, as a measure bowing to the wishes for an open space! the MPCA has limited mowing operations to once a year. Over the same time period the agency has reported several incidents of vandalism to the perimeter security fence on the north side and to the fencing around the individual well heads. It has documented several incidents of trash and garbage dumped on the site and of unauthorized all-terrain- vehicles, motor bikes and snowmobiles on the landfill. In the meantime, resident associations, such as that at Westbrooke Patio homes have attempted heightened awareness Council Report ~OOO-13 JanllFl.ry 12, 2000 Page 3 . programs to vandalism and trash through their newsletters. At one time last fall the Westbrooke people mobilized a cleanup crew. The MPCA perceived it had reached a critical juncture in tryinq to maintain security balanced against the unlimited access to the landfill when in early November 1999 it unilaterally decreed a six-toot perimeter security fence would be installed. Staff prevailed in its request for delayed action to hold full discussions and negotiate some compromise to the issue. A meeting was held December 21 and the outcome was to compromise on fencing and committing to a plan of action within a formal site management plan. . Elements of a site management plan The following items are to be included in the plan: e 1. City declares the landfill to be passive open space subject to Section 830, Subd. 4 of the City Code. 2. Placement of a 4-foot perimeter chain link fence on the east and south sides and a 6 or 8-foot chain link fence on the north and west sides by the MPCA. Access entry points for walkways or trails will be installed on the east and south sides. Along the east side fence placement will be well within the landfill property to create a buffer zone along the property line. This location will run roughly west of current trees and bushes separating the Westbrooke Patio Homes from the landfill. 3. Regulation signs spelling out permissible uses of the open space to be installed at City expense. (See attachment) 4. A final site plan by the City showing location and detail of pedestrian only paths of non-impervious surface over the landfill site. (See attachment) 5. A City outlined procedure for policing of the landfill, reporting unauthorized access, and periodic debris and trash cleanup. Establishing a response system whereby MPCA field staff or contractors report findings to Hopkins officials for a cleanup response. The development of a neighborhood sponsored cleanup program. 6. Enforcement of the open space ordinance by the City where feasible. . Items 2 and 3 have already been discussed and resolved with the agency. Items 4 and 5 are currently under internal discussion. . e e Cuuncil Report ~OOO~13 January 12, 2000 Page 4 . Communications with residents Meetings are being arranged with affected neighborhoods to communicate the above plan and to seek input. . Staff recommendations Staff feels this is the best possible resolution to issues of security versus open access. In this instance the City hriS relented on the fence issue but has negotiated for the least obtrusive of options available. Staff recommends approval of the site management plan elements listed above. . CITY OF HOPKINS PASSIVE OPEN SPACE CLOSED SANITARY LANDFILL ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE ONL Y AT SIGNED AREAS STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS USE OF OPEN SPACE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY The following are prohibited on this facility: e · Use of bicycles, motorized bikes and vehicles, snowmobiles · All sport activities excluding walking or jogging · Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages · Domestic pets of any kind · Picnic events and playground activities · Fireworks or explosives ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE OPEN SPACE CLEAN e WE ~9Hi /-;;-.<f~ ,'5'- WE , /:::; <;!03'J /L:'" ~.......-:v ,) "