Agenda - Council - 09/09/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I August 21,1997 TO: Planning commission/Developer FROM David Chmielewski, Community Development RE: Site Landscape recommendations for Wolf and Associates, Inc. General: Due to the fact that the City of Ramsey is located on the Anoka sand plain, a closer look at vegetation selection may be warranted in attempt to increase the health and survivability of the vegetation in your proposed landscape. While irrigation can be used to encourage growth of droughty plants, we would recommend that drought tolerant and cold hardy native vegetation be used. You will find that in most cases, native and indigenous vegetation, when properly installed, will easily outperform traditional hybridized plants. The following suggestions may be of help when considering the design of your landscape in Ramsey. Professionally installed native prairie (wildflowers/forbs and grasses) is a superior alternative to bluegrass turf'for low use areas such as side lots and berms. Once established, native prairie requires very little maintenance and no irrigation or fertilization- An a~active alternative. If budget allows, be liberal with your plantings. Good vegetation is relatively inexpensive to purchase and install, especially in new commercial landscapes. In most cases, spacing native plants a little closer will not destroy your plantings. In the wild, many natives have adapted to survive in colonies, competing for water, light and nutrients. Use these traits to your advantage. When installed properly, using wood fiber-based mulches rather than gravel mulches will in most cases, increase plant growth performance. (Again, most plants are not quite adapted to growing in beds of gravel due to the increase in heat absorption, heat reflection and lack of soil-building microbial activity synonymous with bark mulch.) Consider shade, sun and salt. Are your proposed plantings going to survive where you have placed them? Will they survive inundation by snow carrying salt and sand? Specific: We have found that the survival rates for Sugar Maples (Acer sacharum) in urban conditions on the sandy soils in Ramsey are substandard. We do not recommend that you plant Sugar Maples in the manner which you have proposed. Site lines should be considered regarding the planting of Green Spruce next to the drive approaches. A pyramidal evergreen might block views of those attempting to exit your facility onto Unity Street. On your plan, please designate what 'turf' types will be added in different areas of the site, i.e. seeded, sod, prairie .... Regarding the tree detail, the city does not recommend pruning the foliage I/3 to maintain the trees natural form. We recommend pruning only the dead, damaged or diseased material only. We have found that over pruning the tree may result in additional stress and potentially the death of the tree. The tree will need all of its healthy limbs to regenerate its root system. The attached general list includes trees and shrubs which are native and indigenous to the Ramsey area and the Anoka Sand Plain. These plant types, when properly installed, have been found to perform well in Ramsey Landscapes.