Agenda - Council - 10/14/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OCT. 0 8 ' 2 003 14:40 763 424 5822 Louck~ Associat¢~ #6318 P.003/006 After r~vi~vin§ the new stakin§, me, in§ with the design team, and makin§ adjustments to the building floor elevations, we b~lleve there are no serious comqicts with si§n/f/cant e×i~;n§ trees. However, because these housing units ta~e up the majority oft he bu ildable footprint of the lot, and further adjustment to the FFE's are not possible, we are ask/n§ the Council to allow Staff to make decisions in the field based on specific, existln§ tree locations. While some creative grading may be necessary to allow crverland draina§e to the exit/n§ iow area, we do not expect to chan§e the limits of tree removal. The only potential impact may be limited §rodin§ within the drip line of a tree expected_to remain if no other swale option exists. We have identified numerous methods by which we can minimize, or even avoid, impact on additional trees, but they require cooperation and flexibility between the Developer and C/b/Staff. Only by cooperatlvely working througl~ these i;sue~ in the field ca, the best po~ible ;olution be implemented that preserves the Ix:st trees, meets the needs of the City and the Developer, and emu~"~ adequate drainage around the units. Based on the field verified evidence, we intend to clear to the ori§inal tree preservation line identified on the final ~bmittal t~ tNe City. This llne was approved by the Council and revi~^,ed by C/b/Staff. While our final ~otution may require flexibility in the final §rodin§ limits, we will work around the ~xistin~ trees even/body is interested in saving. Our new grad/n§ efforts will use a combination of the following techniques: We have adiusted the FFE's of the units in the affected area to maximize their elevation while still providin§ driveway slopes of less than 10% and a minimum number of steps into the units. · Wherever possible, we will still attempt to grade the sites to allow for overland drainage straight to the existing Iow a~a. · We may in~"fll small swales to pitch the water laterally (north or south) connecting to areas where overland drainage can proceed to the existin, g low are~. As a last resort, we may install area drains (small catch basins) and subsurface pipin§ to brinB water away from the units. I~eque~ed Actio~: Allow the Developer to carefully grade within the tree preservation line where s/gn/l'Tcant trees (those overS" diameter) are not present, allow limited removal of an}, trees (under $") that would be unavoid.~ble w/th reasonable care, ancl allow Staff to work direcdy with the Developer in the fieM to create the ~st posslt3{¢ solution v~nile 5b'll pr~servin$ adequate drainage from the uni~. Area B: We propose to move the toe of the wall to a distance of 6' from thc housing unit. This minimiz~ impact to the existing trees, provides positive draina§e away from the unit (at least 6~ of fall over the first S'), and provides reasonable access to the mar of the unit. Some impact to the root systems of the adiacent trees will occur, but grading and wall construction will be performed in the least damaging way possible. If tree removal is necessary, based on actual field conditions, we will provide replacement plantings (3" deciduous trees) on top o~ the wall on a one for one b~sis. £eque~ted Actiol~: Allow the C~eveloper to remove trees neces~ry ~o construct the wall 6' from the proposed north wall of the unit. If tree removal i,c nec¢.csary, allow the Developer ~ plant additional 3" deciduous trees for each existin~tree removed. Area C: Due to the quali~y and age of the existing pine trees in this area, v~ propose to remove trees as needed to provide adequate drain~-~e and road embankment slopes. To offset the tree loss, we will provide an additional 3-5 coniferous maes (at least 6' in height) between the first new unit and the existing residence to the east. These new plantjn~ w/Ii be spaced more appropriately than the existing pines, and be placed high on the slopes to maximize the screening benefit for the existing homes. Requcsted Action: Allow thc. Developer to remove existing pines as needed ~o provide reasonable slopes for the street and provide positive drainage from the existin~ Iow ama to the south. Allow the Developer to ptanr 3-$ coniferous trees o£ at least 6' to help scrz~*n the a~isting residence to the east.