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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 1. <br />Meeting Date: 06/15/2020 <br />By: Chris Anderson, Community <br />Development <br />Information <br />Title: <br />Approve Planning Framework for Highway 10 South Planning Area - Riverstone South <br />Purpose/Background: <br />The purpose of this case is to provide very high-level policy direction pertaining to a potential development project <br />south of Highway 10 and east of Bowers Drive (portions of the Pearson Farm). This is not a formal application nor <br />official development review. The intent is to provide Staff will direction on key policy points to assist Staff in <br />reviewing concepts with Capstone Homes, the potential Developer. As is commonplace, there will be significant <br />opportunities for ongoing public engagement throughout this process moving forward. <br />Capstone Homes has begun discussing potential development concepts with the City on this site. The Planning <br />Commission and City Council reviewed various aspects of this project as part of discussion at the February 11, <br />2020 Joint Work Session. Staff and Developer are stepping back based on those discussions in order to obtain <br />public input and policy direction to prepare a Concept Plan for further review. Staff and Developer have reached a <br />point where policy direction is required before next steps can be taken. <br />Notification: <br />Notification is not required at this step. It is noted that the City hosted a Neighborhood Meeting/Webinar to keep <br />stakeholders in the loop. This was not intended to replace our traditional public workshops. However, it was a tool <br />to keep the community informed and engaged given the current public health pandemic restricting the amount of in <br />person workshops being held. <br />Observations/Alternatives: <br />In summary, Capstone Homes desires to replicate the existing Riverstone neighborhood (north of Hwy 10) in some <br />degree on this project site. This would require a Zoning Amendment due to lot sizes. Staff has been working to <br />secure a compromise solution that increases density transition and tree preservation above and beyond what is <br />currently required by City Code. <br />While the Planning Commission is charged with various aspects of this desired policy direction (zoning, lot sizes, <br />street connections and alignments) and the Park & Recreation Commission is focusing on park needs and trail <br />connections, the Environmental Policy Board's (EPB) focus will be on tree preservation and any other relevant <br />guidance related to natural resources. The framework document attached to this case was reviewed by the Planning <br />Commission on June 4 and will have been responded to by the Park and Recreation Commission on the evening of <br />June 11, 2020. <br />Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) <br />The City's NRI does note that there is a natural area consisting of an Oak Forest with a sub -canopy of Hackberry <br />and Ironwood within the development site. This natural plant community is classified as Low Quality; however, <br />that designation was mostly due to the likelihood of the area being grazed in the past, resulting in an ground layer of <br />creeping charlie, buckthorn, and other less desirable plants. Overall though, this is a desirable woodland area that <br />would warrant enhanced tree preservation efforts. <br />Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRRCA) <br />A portion of the development site is also within the MRCCA. While none of the site is directly adjacent to the <br />