Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/13/2020

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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Landscape Plan and Natural Resources Aspects for Garden View Villas City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City has received an application for Preliminary Plat and Site Plan review of a proposed residential development located north of 147th Lane and east of Center Street. The subject property is zoned R-2 Residential (medium density) and consists of 23 detached townhome units. The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System identifies two land cover types on the subject property, dry grassland and wetland. However, the City' s Natural Resources Inventory further classifies both as altered/non- native plant communities. There is some built in protection for the wetland in the form of the required 16.5-foot setback encumbered with drainage and utility easement, which is shown on the Site Plan. It appears that just beyond this setback is a proposed five -foot -tall retaining wall. He provided additional details on tree preservation, landscaping, and density transitioning. Board Member Covart referenced the native grass planting area and asked if staff would recommend a berm or hedging. City Planner Anderson stated that he would recommend continuing with sod in that area near the road and identified another area, not adjacent a public road, where native seed mix could be utilized. He explained that without an active management plan native mixes can appear unkept. He confirmed that he would recommend keeping the trees planned along the roadway and would simply replace the native seed mix with sod in that area. City Councilmember Musgrove asked how the overall landscaping plan would work with a homeowner's association. City Planner Anderson stated that it is the understanding of staff that the landscaping would be managed by the homeowner's association. He explained that the homeowner's association would be responsible for all of the landscaped areas, including turf areas, trees, shrubs and native areas. He provided additional input on the process needed to establish and maintain native planting areas. Motion by Board Member Hiatt and seconded by Board Member Bernard to recommend approval of the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plans contingent upon compliance with the staff review letter. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Valentine, Board Member Hiatt, Bernard, Covart, Fetterley, and Moore. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5.02: Consider Possible Amendments for Landscape Requirements in the Employment Districts City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that at the November meeting, the Board directed staff to research what some of the peer communities have in terms of landscaping requirements for their industrial areas and how those compare with the current requirements of Ramsey. The landscape standards from Elk River, Andover, Dayton and Coon Rapids were provided in the case. As can be seen, there is a range of approaches that the communities utilize. Staff believes there is some merit in considering amendments to the planting standards in the Environmental Policy Board / December 16, 2019 Page 2 of 5