Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 04/15/2019

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 3. Meeting Date: 04/15/2019 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Review Preliminary Plat for Property at 6080 Highway 10 NW (Project No. 18-163); Case of Village Bank Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to review a Preliminary Plat for a subdivision of the property located at 6080 Highway 10 NW (the "Subject Property"). The Subject Property is currently zoned both R-1 Residential (MUSA) and E-1 Employment. The Preliminary Plat shows fourteen (14) detached villa lots plus three (3) outlots that will contain the storm water pond, infiltration basin, and trail (part of the Mississippi River Trail). A Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a Zoning Amendment will be required based on the proposed use, lot dimensions and density. The Environmental Policy Board (EPB) did review the Sketch Plan for this project in February of this year. At that time, the EPB provided several recommendations, which included addressing density transitioning on the west side of the project, adding additional plantings along the northern boundary for buffering purposing, and exploring the potential of relocating the proposed stormwater pond outside of the floodplain. It should be noted that in 2014-2015, the Subject Property did receive Final Plat approval for a seven (7) lot single family residential subdivision. At that time, work began in terms of tree removal and grading. However, additional soil borings were completed that did identify buried debris above fifteen (15) feet below the surface. Due to the costs associated with removing the buried debris, the project was never completed. Village Bank (the "Applicant") is now seeking grant funds to assist with the debris removal. Observations/Alternatives: Natural Areas The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does identify an altered/non-native deciduous forest on the Subject Property. This would not constitute a high value natural area and some of the wooded area had previously been removed (per the now defunct previous subdivision). The remainder of the Subject Property is classified as 'urban with vegetative cover' or 'urban with little vegetative cover' per the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS). Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) Overlay District Only the very southwestern corner of the Subject Property falls within the MRCCA Overlay District. None of the proposed residential lots fall within this part of the Subject Property. Outlot A, which does lie within the overlay district, does meet the minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet for a riparian parcel. There are no buildings proposed within the overlay district. At the time of Sketch Plan, the submittal did not include a Tree Preservation or Landscape Plan (not required as part of Sketch Plan review). However, we are now in receipt of both and the developer is proposing to remove all trees that appear to be located within the MRCCA. While selective removal of trees may be permissible (as long as a continuous canopy cover can be maintained), City Code Sec. 117-148(f) states that no clear cutting shall occur within 200 feet of the Ordinary High Watermark (OHW). Thus, it appears that modifications to the plans will be necessary. Shoreland Regulations While not officially located within the City's Shoreland Overlay District (presumably due to the Mississippi River