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DATE <br />CITY OF RAMSEY LAND USE APPLICATION <br />TECHNICAL REVIEW FILE <br />MAY 12, 2017 <br />REVISED: JUNE 30, 2017 <br />PROJECT TBD <br />ADDRESS <br />PROJECT. TITLE ESTATES OF SILVER OAKS 2ND ADDITION <br />ESCROW # 115698 <br />DEPARTMENT: Community Development: Planning Division (Landscape Plan & Environmental <br />Resources) <br />Name: Chris Anderson, City Planner <br />TECHNICAL REVIEWER: Phone: 763-433-9817 <br />Email: canderson@citvoframsev.com <br />The project is located east of St. Francis Blvd (TH 47) and north of 162nd Lane. The property is <br />approximately 5.86 acres in size, with a majority of that area dominated by moderate quality oak <br />forest per the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). <br />Based on the submitted Tree Plan, approximately half <br />of this wooded area will be retained, although many of <br />the preserved trees are actually ash, boxelder, <br />American elm and Siberian elm. Unfortunately, based <br />on the existing access (Lithium Street), there are not <br />really any viable options to preserve a greater number <br />of the more desirable red and bur oaks on the property. <br />As noted, there is a large population of oak trees on the site and precautions need to be taken to <br />minimize the potential of introducing oak wilt. Even outside the high risk timeframe for oak wilt, <br />an Oak Wilt Management Plan should be prepared to outline what steps will be taken to control <br />and/or limit the spread or introduction of oak wilt. While that is noted on the plan, the note <br />should be revised to state that the management plan shall be submitted to the City for review. <br />Approximately fifty-three percent (53%) of the existing significant tree inches will be preserved <br />on site. Although essentially all of these trees are located on what will become Lot 5, Block 2, <br />the Tree Plan does comply with the Tree Preservation Ordinance. However, the City has received <br />an updated exhibit that focuses on Lots 1-3, Block 2. The exhibit shows reduced house pad <br />depths of fifty (50) feet and eliminates any grading activity in these rear yards in order to preserve <br />additional trees. <br />The Environmental Policy Board (EPB) reviewed the Tree Preservation and Landscape Plans and <br />did note concern with the amount of oaks being removed. While the Tree Preservation Plan does <br />comply with the Tree Preservation Ordinance, they noted concern with the greater loss of the <br />higher quality and more desirable oaks compared to less desirable species. The updated exhibit <br />for Lots 1-3 Block 1 does to address a concern raised by the EPB about tree removal and will assist <br />