Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 09/19/2016

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Review File: Brookfield 8`h Addition Preliminary Plat Review: Tree Preservation and Landscaping September 14,2016 Page 2 of 3 Due to the presence of larger stands of oak trees,tree clearing activities shall occur prior to April 15 or after July 15 to minimize the potential introduction of Oak Wilt to the site and this note must be added to both the Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan as well as the Tree Inventory and Protection Plan. Additionally, please consult with the Certified Arborist that prepared the Tree Inventory and Protection Plan to prepare a plan that identifies the precautionary steps to be taken on site to protect oak trees from Oak Wilt. While the attempt to preserve as many trees as possible is appreciated, we do anticipate some potential concerns once some of the homes are actually occupied. As a tool to help inform both the future home owner, as well as City Staff that may receive phone calls, we are requesting an exhibit be prepared for certain lots that clearly shows what trees a homeowner can remove, if s/he so chooses. Exhibits should be prepared for the following lots: Lots 4-8 & 16, Block 2 and Lot 1, Block 1. The Landscape Plan is generally acceptable. However, we would like to work with you to focus at least one (1) of the two (2) required front yard trees to be located within the boulevard (between the sidewalk and back of curb or, for those areas with no sidewalk, within ten [10] feet of the back of curb) to create a street tree presence. Street trees shall only consist of deciduous species. As noted on the plan, any changes to the species shall receive approval by the City prior to installation. There is floodplain across portions of this site. According to the Flood Profile for Trott Brook,the Floodway elevation is approximately 871.5 feet. An Elevation Certificate will be required for Lots 1-5, Block 1 and Lots 7-12, Block 2, prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, to ensure that the lowest floor elevation is at or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, which is the base flood elevation (871.5 ft) plus one foot of freeboard (State of Minnesota requirement). Please be advised that individual lot surveys will be required to include the following information above and beyond what is typically shown: Floodplain boundary (with note of no grading within floodway), wetland, and wetland setback. There are four (4) lots that do not meet the lot depth requirement, Lots 1, 3 and 4, Block 1, and Lot 16, Block 2. Staff recommends approval of a variance to this standard for Lot 16, Block 2 and Lot 1, Block 1, as both are fairly wide and meet the intent of the requirement (with the appropriate home style, there is sufficient space for a future deck and accessory building(s)). However, Lots 3 & 4, Block 2 are have typical widths of approximately eighty (80) feet and have no room to accommodate these common homeowner improvements. These are the very types of lots that the lot depth requirement was intended to prevent. It is Staff's recommendation that Lot 3 be combined with Lot 2 and Lot 4 be combined with Lot 5, to ensure that future homeowners still have sufficient usable space for potential improvements.