Location:
Joe Creason Park at the Olmsted Conservancy Conference Room, 1297 Trevillian Way, Louisville, KY
Oversight Board Members In Attendance:
Kurt Mason – Chairman
Noel Rueff – Vice Chairman
Lisa Hite for Mike Heitz
Phyllis Croce for H. Schardein
Bob Schindler (*arrived during the Mattingly presentation)
Richard Jett for Charles Cash
Bennett Knox
Carl Suk
Oversight Board Members Not Present:
Reba Doutrick
Jim Braun
Dudley Saunders
Advisory Committee Members In Attendance:
Frannie Aprile
Staff in Attendance:
Lee Wells
Theresa Senninger
Chris Cestaro (minutes)
Guests:
None.
Minutes
Kurt Mason called the meeting to order. No minutes were approved.
Land Conservation Activity
Renaissance Zone CE, 2730 Outer Loop [22-2006-02] / Division of Water
Theresa Senninger said the matter was resolved and is closed. The deed restrictions were accepted by all parties and the petition challenging the requirement to execute a conservation easement running in favor of the Division of Water has been withdrawn.
Trinity Adjacent to 1860 & 2230 Outer Loop [22-2000-02] [MSD easement]
Ms. Senninger said this assignment is complete. All that needs to happen is the deed needs to be recorded. Noel Rueff said she would record the deed and write a personal check (noted on the check will be “Recording Fee for County Clerk for Conservation Easement”) and will then apply for reimbursement. Carl Suk asked that the deed be scanned into the system – Theresa Senninger said she could do that.
Monitoring / Baseline Activity
Mattingly Conservation Easement 161 Rear Outer Loop [22-2003-03]
Mr. Suk passed around photos of the Mattingly property. Kurt Mason said letters were sent out from Deborah Bilitski (attorney for Mattingly) to adjacent property owners regarding their requirement to install a fence, and also to stop the property owners from encroaching into the easement area. Also, a letter from LJCET went to the same property owners to outline the responsibilities of LJCET as easement holder, including monitoring of the property and ensuring that the conservation values associated with the property are protected. He said the Jones Company installed a woven wire fence. There is a gate with a chain, but no lock on it yet.
Littledove Farm 15404 Taylorsville Road [22-2007-01]
The property was monitored on October 31, 2008 by Lee Wells and Dudley Saunders. Mr. Wells gave a presentation about the monitoring visit, including maps and detailed photos the property. Mr. Suk made a list of all plants found during the visit. Mr. Wells showed photos of items that had been dumped on the property (car tires in the stream; concrete paving blocks, a load of joists for a house, etc.) The conclusion was reached that, with a minor cleanup, this could be considered a “healthy easement”, with minimal encroachments or invasive plants.
Frannie Aprile (the owner of the property) expressed her concerns about a large development, including 1,248 homes and a strip commercial center, which is being planned near her property. The proposed development is being advertised as a conservation subdivision. She is concerned that this development will have an adverse impact on Floyds Fork because it will create too much impervious surface, will be too intense a use and will retain very little tree cover. She feels the developer is not leaving enough animal habitat. Noel Rueff suggested that an LJCET representative go to one of these neighborhood meetings and listen to what the applicants have proposed. Some aspects of the development plan for this project were discussed. Ms. Aprile discussed what some neighborhood people/groups are doing about this proposed project. Ms. Hite said Parks reviews plans like this.
Mr. Wells said he had spoken with a River Fields representative about this project. The River Fields representative suggested getting someone from the State to survey the property to determine what habitats could be destroyed or altered. Mr. Mason said there is a private land biologist (David Jones) who might be able to provide some information about that.
Mr. Mason said that t he developer of any development that abuts any LJCET-monitored property needs to know that there is a conservation easement adjacent to their proposed development. This could help the developer address conservation concerns. LJCET, however, cannot take a position for or against any development.
It was agreed that Mr. Mason should send a letter on behalf of LJCET to the developer of this project and to adjacent property owners to make them aware that a conservation easement exists. He said he will discuss the letter with Theresa Senninger and let her review it before it is sent. A copy should also be sent to Charles Cash (Director, Planning and Design Services) and the staff case manager (Aida Copic).
He pointed out that there is a proposed development coming in next to the Culbertson property, and a letter should be sent to the developer about that property also.
As an aside, Mr. Wells said that he looked up “wildlife corridors” in the Land Development Code; however, there is a heading of “wildlife habitat” which is mentioned in connection to wetlands only. He wondered whether this definition could be expanded to include a requirement for wildlife corridors or other management techniques. Ms. Senninger said the Comprehensive Plan does not address wildlife management.
Additional Monitoring/Baseline Activity
Mr. Wells said that Jones, Dogwood Hill and part of the Culbertson properties still require a monitoring visit. All of these properties can be monitored before the end of the year.
Duncan Conservation and Preservation Easement (JF945) Mockingbird Hill Road [22-2004-01]
Ms. Rueff said she called Sarah Almy on LJCET’s behalf to let her know that we had made a monitoring visit. She also said she informed Ms. Almy that Metro was still doing storm debris pickup, and that debris from the Duncan property could be moved to the street for pickup. Ms. Rueff also talked to Ms. Almy about the plants that had been noted on the property and the idea of notifying “Botanica” about the possibility of making the property an arboretum.
Miscellaneous monitoring-related items
Ms. Senninger said she would like to get copies of all monitoring reports so she can write letters for Mr. Mason to send on behalf of LJCET to the property owners. These letters would notify them about the results of the monitoring and the status of their property.
She will also write letters acknowledging all land gifts from all donors.
Land Trust Coalition Update
Ms. Senninger discussed the draft bylaws for a Kentucky Land Trust Coalition, which were prepared by representatives of River Fields and the Bluegrass Conservancy. KLTC is intended to be an umbrella organization for land trusts in Kentucky. It might mirror some of the functions of the LTA, only at a State and local level. Ms. Senninger said she will attend the group’s next meeting and will put together formal comments on the draft bylaws. Ms. Senninger said she will forward a copy of the draft bylaws to all LJCET members for review and discussion at next month’s meeting. In response to a question from a Committee member, Ms. Senninger said that “membership in KLTC is open to any private, non-profit, non-governmental land conservation organization.” This limitation would prevent LJCET from being a full member of the organization.
Brochure Update
Richard Jett suggested that the brochure be reprinted on stock. Ms. Hite said the brochure should go to all easement donors and guests at the upcoming reception.
Accreditation - Conflict of Interest Policy
Ms. Hite handed out information from LTA on conflicts of interest and asked the Board to be prepared to discuss it at the next LJCET meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Louisville/ Jefferson County Environmental Trust
November 21,2008
Location:
Joe Creason Park at the Olmsted Conservancy Conference Room, 1297 Trevillian Way, Louisville. KY
Oversight Board Members In Attendance:
Kurt Mason - Chairman
Noel Rueff - Vice Chairman
Lisa Hite for Mike Heitz
Phyllis Croce for H. Schardein
Bob Schindler (*arrived during the Mattingly presentation)
Richard Jett for Charles Cash
Bennett Knox
Carl Suk
Oversight Board Members Not Present:
Reba Doutrick
Jim Braun
Dudley Saunders
Advisory Committee Members ln Attendance:
Frannie Aprile
Staff in Attendance:
Lee Wells
Theresa Senninger
Chris Cestaro (minutes)
Guests:
None.
Minutes
Kurt Mason called the meeting to order. No minutes were approved.
Land Conservation Activity
Renaissance Zone CE, 2730 Outer Loop [22-2006-02] Division of Water
Theresa Senninger said the matter was resolved and is closed. The deed restrictions were accepted by all parties and the petition challenging the requirement to execute a conservation easement running in favor of the Division of Water has been withdrawn.
Trinity Adjacent to 1860 & 2230 Outer Loop [22-2000-02] [MSD easement]
Ms. Senninger said this assignment is complete. All that needs to happen is the deed needs to be recorded. Noel Rueff said she would record the deed and write a personal check (noted on the check will be "Recording Fee for County Clerk for Conservation Easement") and will then apply for reimbursement. Carl Suk asked that the deed be scanned into the system -Theresa Senninger said she could do that.
Monitoring and Baseline Activity
Mattingly Conservation Easement 161 Rear Outer Loop [22-2003-03]
Mr. Suk passed around photos of the Mattingly property. Kurt Mason said letters were sent out from Deborah Bilitski (attorney for Mattingly) to adjacent property owners regarding their requirement to install a fence, and also to stop the property owners from encroaching into the easement area. Also, a letter from LJCET went to the same property owners to outline the responsibilities of LJCET as easement holder, including monitoring of the property and ensuring that the conservation values associated with the property are protected. He said the Jones Company installed a woven wire fence.
There is a gate with a chain, but no lock on it yet.
Little Dove Farm 15404 Taylorsville Road [22-2007-011]
The property was monitored on October 31, 2008 by Dudley Saunders, and Lee Wells. Mr. Wells gave a presentation about the monitoring visit, including maps and detailed photos the property. Mr. Suk made a list of all plants found during the visit. Mr. Wells showed photos of items that had been dumped on the property (car tires in the stream; concrete paving blocks, rafters for a house, etc.) The conclusion was reached that, with a minor cleanup, this could be considered a "healthy easement", with minimal encroachments or invasive plants.
Frannie Aprile (the owner of the property) expressed her concerns about a large development, including 1,248 homes and a strip commercial center, which is being planned near her property. The proposed development is being advertised as a conservation subdivision. She is concerned that this development will have an adverse impact on Floyds Fork because it will create too much impervious surface, will be too intense a use and will retain very little tree cover. She feels the developer is not leaving enough animal habitat. Noel Rueff suggested that an LJCET representative go to one of these neighborhood meetings and listen to what the applicants have proposed. Some aspects of the development plan for this project were discussed. Ms. Aprile discussed what some neighborhood people/groups are doing about this proposed project. Ms. Hite said Parks reviews plans like this.
Mr. Wells said he had spoken with a River Fields representative about this project. The River Fields representative suggested getting someone from the State to survey the property to determine what habitats could be destroyed or altered. Mr. Mason said there is a private land biologist (David Jones) who might be able to provide some information about that.
Mr. Mason said that the developer of any development that abuts any LJCET-monitored property needs to know that there is a conservation easement adjacent to their proposed development. This could help the developer address conservation concerns. LJCET, however, cannot take a position for or against any development.
It was agreed that Mr. Mason should send a letter on behalf of LJCET to the developer of this project and to adjacent property owners to make them aware that a conservation easement exists. He said he will discuss the letter with Theresa Senninger and let her review it before it is sent. A copy should also be sent to Charles Cash (Director, Planning and Design Services) and the staff case manager (Aida Copic).
He pointed out that there is a proposed development coming in next to the Culbertson property, and a letter should be sent to the developer about that property also.
As an aside, Mr. Wells said that he looked up "wildlife corridors" in the Land Development Code; however, there is a heading of "wildlife habitat" which is mentioned in connection to wetlands only. He wondered whether this definition could be expanded to include a requirement for wildlife corridors or other management techniques. Ms. Senninger said the Comprehensive Plan does not address wildlife management.
Additional Monitoring/Baseline Activity
Mr. Wells said that Jones, Dogwood Hill and part of the Culbertson properties still require a monitoring visit. All of these properties can be monitored before the end of the year.
Duncan Conservation and Preservation Easement (JF945)Mockingbird Hill Road [22-2004-01]
Ms. Rueff said she called Sarah Almy on LJCET's behalf to let her know that we had made a monitoring visit. She also said she informed Ms. Almy that Metro was still doing storm debris pickup, and that debris from the Duncan property could be moved to the street for pickup. Ms. Rueff also talked to Ms. Almy about the plants that had been noted on the property and the idea of notifying "Botanica" about the possibility of making the property an arboretum.
Miscellaneous monitoring related items
Ms. Senninger said she would like to get copies of all monitoring reports so she can write letters for Mr. Mason to send on behalf of LJCET to the property owners. These letters would notify, them about the results of the monitoring and the status of their property.
She will also write letters acknowledging all land gifts from all donors.
Land Trust Coalition Update
Ms. Senninger discussed the draft bylaws for a Kentucky Land Trust Coalition, which were prepared by representatives of River Fields and the Bluegrass Conservancy. KLTC is intended to be an umbrella organization for land trusts in Kentucky. It might mirror some of the functions of the LTA, only at a State and local level. Ms. Senninger
said she will attend the group's next meeting and will put together formal comments on the draft bylaws. Ms. Senninger said she will forward a copy of the draft bylaws to all LJCET members for review and discussion at next month's meeting. In response to a question from a Committee member, Ms. Senninger said that "membership in KLTC is open to any private, non-profit, non-governmental land conservation organization." This limitation would prevent LJCET from being a full member of the organization.
Brochure Update
Richard Jett suggested that the brochure be reprinted on stock. Ms. Hite said the brochure should go to all easement donors and guests at the upcoming reception.
Accreditation - Conflict of Interest Policy
Ms. Hite handed out information from LTA on conflicts of interest and asked the Board to be prepared to discuss it at the next LJCET meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.