Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/30/2015 - Special

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CITY OF RAMSEY LAND USE APPLICATION TECHNICAL REVIEW FILE DATE 3/27/15 PROJECT ADDRESS UNKNOWN PROJECT. TITLE HARVEST ESTATES ESCROW # 114538 DEPARTMENT: Community Development: Planning Division (Landscape Plan & Environmental Resources) TECHNICAL REVIEWER: Name: Chris Anderson Phone: 763-433-9817 Email: canderson@cityoframsey.com We offer the following comments regarding the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plans prepared by Hedlund and dated March 5, 2015: Tree Preservation: At least forty percent (40%) of the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) inches of significant trees shall be preserved. For every one (1) inch of significant tree DBH removed beyond this threshold, 1.25 inches of DBH shall be replanted or $125.00 shall be paid to the City in restitution (or some combination thereof). Invasive species, diseased trees, and trees removed for stormwater ponds, public trails and sidewalks, shall not be considered when calculating the removal threshold (they should be noted as such in the inventory to receive credit). Sheet C-5 indicates that there is a total of 1,435 total DBH on site (this excludes all invasive species, primarily Siberian Elm) and of that, 1,360 DBH inches will be removed (five percent [5%] of significant tree DBH inches preserved). Replacement (and/or restitution) will be necessary totaling 624 inches (1360-861=499 inches beyond removal threshold x 1.25"). The base landscaping requirements of the applicable zoning district (two [2] trees per lot) can be applied toward the reforestation standard. After a full analysis, Staff believes the proposed reforestation plan does meet the intent and spirit of the Tree Preservation Ordinance contingent upon the following revisions: • Sheet C-5 must be revised as follows: o Allowable Removal needs to be amended to read 1435 x 60% (2545 includes the Siberian Elm DBH). o All reforestation perimeter plantings (excluding required front yard trees) shall be installed as a Stage I improvement by the developer. o Plan sheet should include tree save fencing around trees being preserved. • Sheet C-6 must be revised as follows: o Tree save fencing must be shown on the grading plan and shall be installed at or beyond the dripline of trees or groups of trees being preserved. Tree save fencing shall be installed and maintained in a plumb condition throughout all land disturbance activities. • Sheet CE -1 must be revised as follows: o The legend includes a symbol for tree protection but that symbol is not shown on the plan sheet. Update this sheet (and the grading plan and tree preservation plan sheets) to show the tree protection fencing around those trees being preserved. Landscaping: Two (2) front yard trees are required per lot. Deciduous trees shall be a minimum of one (1) inch caliper and evergreen trees shall be at least five (5) feet in height. As a general note, builders