Agenda - Council - 06/14/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review Shade Tree Cottages April 1,2005, revised May 6, 2005 Page 4 of 6 several areas where the wetlands will be impacted by construction. A sequencing plan for the impacts and mitigation must be approved by the Lower Rum River WMO. The preliminary plat is providing for a "No Mow" zone along the wetlands located within the single family lots. This will help future home owners to fully understand where they must stop manicuring their yard in order to protect the wetlands. The City is working on establishing a wetland buffer ordinance. Staff will be recommending that the development implement some of the seeding .specifications published by MnDot within the no mow zone. 12. Traffic Generation Analysis. A traffic generation analysis for 'this project was completed by Bolton and Menk Inc. The traffic study shows that the additional traffic generated from this development will not degrade the operations of the existing streets and intersections. As part of the study, Bolton and Menk made the following recommendations: a. Place a stop sign at the northbound approach of Radium Street and 157th Lane b. Place a stop sign at the southbound approach of Potassium Street and Old CSAH 5 c. Upgrade Potassium Street to provide a paved surface and adequate width d. Upgrade width and roadway surface of Old CSAH 5 13. Drainage and Utility Easements. Wetlands must be encumbered with a drainage and utility easement. It appears that the preliminary plat complies with this requirement. 14. Density Transitioning. The proposed development is bounded by properties zoned R-1 Rural Developing to the north and thus must provide some sort of transitioning along this common property line. The revised landscaping plan, dated April 14, 2005 indicates that a combination ofberming and landscaping will be used to fulfill the transitioning requirements. The buffer strip should be thirty-five (35) feet in width and contain a combination of overstory and understory deciduous trees and coniferous trees. The revised landscaping plan appears to comply with the density transitioning requirements. I5. Landscaping. The revised landscaping plan, dated April 14, 2005 is generally acceptable. !6. Tree Preservation. There are over 600 trees that are to be preserved throughout the construction process consisting mostly of aspen, red cedar, bur oak and red oak. Furthermore, Lots 32-35 are to be custom graded, which will provide an opportunity to preserve additional trees. Tree save fencing is required around all trees or groups of trees to be preserved. The fencing shall include, at a minimum, the entire area beneath the tree canopy, which is known as the critical root zone. No construction activity whatsoever may occur within these areas. Moreover, no construction shall, begin until this fencing has been installed and approved by the City. Finally, any clearing involving,oak trees cannot occur between April 15 and July 15 to protect against oak wilt. If oak trees exist on or 'adjacent to the development area, a plan must be submitted outlining the actions that will be taken to protect those trees from oak wilt.