Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/16/2020

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 1. Meeting Date: 03/16/2020 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Review Natural Resources Aspects of The Preserve at Northfork Preliminary Plat (Project No. 19-147); Case of BK Properties Purpose/Background: The City has received an application for a Preliminary Plat for The Preserve at Northfork, a new residential subdivision proposed south of Alpine Drive, west of Puma Street and the Riverstone subdivision (the "Subject Property"). The Preserve at Northfork proposes a combination of more traditional suburban lots (80 feet wide and 10,800 square feet in size) as well as villa style lots, similar to the products being offered in Riverstone, directly east of the Subject Property. Observations/Alternatives: Existing Vegetation Per the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), the Subject Property is classified as an Altered/Non-Native plant community. In the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System, the site is classified as a dry grassland. According to the Tree Inventory, the site is dominated by Red Cedar, Boxelder, Cottonwood, and Siberian Elm (invasive), which would not necessarily be considered a quality mix of species. Wetlands and Floodplains There are no identified wetlands or floodplains on the Subject Property. However, the Subject Property is within 1,000 feet of Lake Itasca and thus, it is within the Shoreland Overlay District (even though it is south of Alpine Drive). Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan A Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan was prepared and submitted with this application. As previously noted, there are not any high quality woodlands on the Subject Property; however, the Tree Preservation Ordinance is still applicable. A total of 8,001 inches of significant trees were inventoried. Just over half of those inches qualify as being exempt from the removal calculation due to being either off -site, listed as an invasive species (Siberian Elm), or being removed due to improvements such as trails, sidewalks, and stormwater ponds. So, there are 3,896 inches of significant trees and the project is proposing to remove 3,856 inches (about 99% of the significant tree inches). Due to the proposed removals, reforestation and/or restitution will be required. A total of 1,898 inches of trees will need to be replanted or a payment of $125 per inch paid into the Community Forestry Fund, or some combination of the two. Required landscaping does count toward the required reforestation, but, based on the Landscape Plan, only 946 inches are being proposed. This leaves a gap of 952 inches of required reforestation or a payment of $119,000 (or some combination of the two). There likely is not sufficient space for an additional 952 inches of trees on site. Staff is seeking direction from the Environmental Policy Board on whether a reduction in reforestation and/or restitution may be considered. Landscape Plan The Landscape Plan includes a good mix species as well as both deciduous and coniferous trees. Due to the amount of reforestation required, the plan is proposing all trees to be 2.5 to 3 inches in caliper (minimum required size is 1 inch). Based on the proposed zoning for the Subject Property, which would be a split between R-1 Residential and R-2 Residential, part of the project requires two (2) trees per lot (R-1 Residential) and the other (R-2 Residential)