Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 12/13/2021

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 2. Meeting Date: 12/13/2021 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Consider Natural Resources Related Plan Elements for Trott Brook Crossing Preliminary Plat (Project No. 21-130); Case of TEG Land Holdings, LLC Purpose/Background: The City has received an application from TEG Land Holdings LLC (the "Applicant") for a Preliminary Plat of 270 single family residential homes on the properties generally located west of Nowthen Boulevard, east of Variolite Street, north of Trott Brook and south of 173rd Avenue (the "Subject Property"). Observations/Alternatives: Project Summary The Subject Property, which is approximately 200 acres in size, is zoned R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 80, with a small portion zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing). The bulk of the Subject Property is guided as Low Density Residential in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The portion that is zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) is also guided as Rural Developing in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Thus, the application does include a requested Zoning Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Amendment to rezone and re -guide that portion of the Subject Property to match the remainder of the site. This would accommodate seven (7) total lots, as much of this area would be platted as an outlot due to Trott Brook and associated wetland and floodplain. The project does include a proposed park area of approximately thirteen (13) acres. Natural Resources Inventory The majority of the Subject Property has been actively farmed over the years. The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) classifies the bulk of the Subject Property as 'Planted or Cultivated Vegetation' (this includes the planted woodland area), with pockets of 'Wetland Shrubland', 'Wetland Forest' and 'Woodland'. The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) identifies several Altered/Non-Native Plant Communities across the Subject Property, mostly around the large wetland complex in the north and lining the planted woodland area. Wetlands and Floodplain There is a large wetland complex in the north of the Subject Property and the area adjacent to Trott Brook is also wetland. A sixteen and a half foot (16.5') setback will be required adjacent to all delineated wetlands (and is shown on the plan set). There is also floodplain encumbering the land adjacent to Trott Brook. The Preliminary Plat is designed to include outlots (unbuildable parcels) adjacent to Trott Brook, which actually keeps the wetland areas, and the wetland setback area, out of the proposed residential lots. This design also helps limit the amount of floodplain area that encumbers the lots. While some lots will have floodplain in the rear areas, an Elevation Certificate will be required to verify that the lowest floor is at or above the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation (this document will be beneficial for a home owner if their lender says that they need flood insurance). Density Transitioning Density Transitioning is required in the northwest portion of the Subject Property, where it abuts an existing single family residential lot zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing). City Code requires either a forty-five (45) foot wide corridor, held in common ownership, with eight (8) overstory trees, eight (8) evergreen trees, and eight (8) understory trees per 100 feet of impacted property or a thirty-five (35) foot wide corridor, held in common ownership, with a berm and four (4) overstory trees, four (4) evergreen trees, and four (4) ornamental trees per 100 feet of impacted property.