Agenda - Council - 10/08/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I The developer has submitted a tree protection plan. Currently the City has no ordinances governing tree preservation. However, a task force has been set up to prepare an ordinance governing tree preservation. The Planning Commission reviewed the tree protection plan at their September 5, 2002 meeting and found k to be generally acceptable. The City of Ramsey has recently adopted a density transition ordinance that took effect on September 30, 2002. As part of the site plan submittal, the applicant has provided the City with information on how the western property lines would have landscape buffering in accordance with the new ordinance. The applicant is, for the most part, meeting the buffering requirement when a R-2 use is adjacent to a R-1 urban singte family use (the lots to the west are within the MUSA). The applicant is showing a minimum of 35 feet of space in common ownership (the buffering required under the ordinance is 25 feet). The ordinance calls'for 20 understory, 20 evergreen, and 20 overstory trees along the western perimeter of the plat. The applicant is showing 20 understory and overstory trees and 19 evergreen trees. Where the proposed single family lots abut the existing single family lots, the applicant is showing some screening even though the ordinance does not require it. The applicant is also showing the installation of landscape buffering between the new single family lots and the two unit townhomes. The project is also subject to the review and permitting process of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (WMO) and MPCA. Comments regarding the drainage, grading, and utility plans are contained in the staff review letter. The Planning Commission conducted the pretiminazy plat public hearing on August 29, 2002. The Commission closed the public hearing and tabled action on the request for preliminary plat approval until the regular meeting scheduled for September 5, 2002. The Planning Commission requested that they be provided with additional information on September 5 relating to the following issues: a) alternatives to actual construction of the proposed stub roads providing future ~iccess to the west and southeast (Kuechle and Bridwell properties); b) alignment of sewer trunk'lines through the wetlands of Fox Knoll; c) corrections to grading and drainage plan in the vicinity of the western corner of the Bddwell property; d) traffic generation report; e)' more details and clarity needed on the tree preservation exhibit; f) density transitioning provisions. At their regular September 54 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the progress on the remaining items. The construction of the stub roads has been eliminated from the plan and the areas for future roads will be preserved as outlots. The alignment of the sanitary sewer line through the Fox Knoll subdivision has been discussed with the affected property owners and there is general agreement with its proposed route. The grading and drainage plan has been revised so as not to infringe on Mr. Bridwetl's property. The applicant presented a graphic showing the locations of tree preservation within the development that satisfied the Planning Commission. Finally, as mentioned above, the applicant is showing a 35-foot landscaped buffer along the perimeter of the development to fulfill density transition obligations. -111-