Agenda - Council - 07/22/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Preliminary Plat Review: Town Center Gardens May 30, 2003, Revised June 23, 2003, Revised July 18, 2003 Page 3 of 4 ~ Trail Development and Trail Fees: The current trail development fee is $475.00 per unit and is due prior to recording the plat. The rate in effect when the subdivision receives final plat approval will be required. Initial staff review indicates that a trail will be required along the west side of 1Kamsey Blvd. The Rarnsey Park and Trail Map shows the west side Of' Ramsey Blvd. to have a trail. Past practice has been to not allow for trail credit for 12ail construction in areas where Trails are shown on the City of Ramsey Park .and Trail Map. The trail should be constructed up to 149m Ave. If so requested, the Park and Recreation Commission will look at the possibility of giving credit for that portion of' the trail along Ramsey Blvd. that is not on or adjacent to the property that is part of the plat. (Namely Lot 2, Block 1, Town Center North). Please contact Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor at (763) 286-0833 with any questions you have with trails. Open Space: City, Ordinances require that at least 40% of the development consist of open space. Qualifying areas include grassed lawns, landscaped areas, gardens, natural areas, landscape rock, mulch, wetlands, and ponding areas. At least 10% of the open space must be shown as an easily identifiable common area for the use of the surrounding residents. The preliminary plat appears to show at least 70% of open space in the area to be developed. Based on staff review, it appears that about 1.05 acres of identifiable open space will be needed. The development shows an area that is approximately 1.1 acres in size (Lot 5, Block 5 which is located on the northern edge of the development site). In addition, the plat shows a ½ acre area to be reserved as open space (Lot 8, Block 1 in the southeast comer of the development site). Lot < Block 5 meets the open space requirement. Stormwater Management Fee: The City has enacted a stormwater management fee of'$375.00 per unit that will be due pr/or to the City releasing the plat for recording. Tree Preservation Plan: A tree survey was submitted along with the landscaping plans. The survey indicates that there are roughly 120 existing trees on the site. However, after visiting the site, it was clear there was a large area of the land covered by young elms and other vegetation that was not noted on the plan. The plan has been revised somewhat to allow for the preservation of several groves of trees. More specifically, a go'up of Hackberries, which range in diameter from 8" to 19", and two groves of large Cottonwoods with Red Cedars in *.he understory. In addition to these, a small clump of ~rees in the southwest comer and a rather large stand of trees in the northwest comer will also be preserved. There has been a lot of discussion with the developer regarding relocating some of the existing trees on site. After a sire inspection, it was found that a majority of the .trees were not ideal candidates, either due to species, size, or condition and form, for relocation. However, there are a number of possible candidates that are on the two-properties at the intersection of Ramsey Blvd and County Road #116. This option is worth exploring if a majority, of these trees are available (after the properties are vacated). Relocating existing trees provides many benefits to both the -200-