Laserfiche WebLink
Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 1. <br /> Meeting Date: 03/21/2022 <br /> By: Chris Anderson, Community <br /> Development <br /> Information <br /> Title: <br /> Consider Natural Resources Related Elements for Rivenwick Village 4th Addition <br /> Purpose/Background: <br /> The City has received an application from LGI Homes -Minnesota LLC(the "Applicant")for a Preliminary Plat <br /> for Rivenwick Village 4th Addition, located north of Riverdale Drive and west of Jasper Street NW(the "Subject <br /> Property"). The purpose of this case is to review the natural resources related aspects of this project. <br /> Observations/Alternatives: <br /> Project Summary <br /> The project proposes twenty-seven (27) attached townhomes on the Subject Property and includes an extension of <br /> 139th Lane to connect to Riverdale Drive as well as private roads to access the units. The Subject Property is zoned <br /> Mixed Use Planned Unit Development(MU-PUD)and was intended to provide a mixture of commercial and <br /> residential uses. In 2019, a similar proposal was reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council,but also <br /> include residential north of 139th Lane, adjacent to Highway 10. At that time, direction was to retain that area <br /> specifically for commercial/retail uses. The current proposal is in unison with that past direction. <br /> Natural Resources Inventory <br /> The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) identifies this area as an Altered/Non-Native Plant Community. The <br /> Minnesota Land Cover Classification System identifies this area as Dry Grassland. There are no distinct or quality <br /> natural plant communities within the Subject Property. <br /> Wetlands/Floodplain <br /> There do not appear to be any wetlands or floodplain on the Subject Property. <br /> Tree Preservation <br /> The Subject Property was platted as an outlot with Rivenwick Village 3rd Addition in 2019. At that time,tree <br /> removal occurred prior to development of a Tree Inventory. However, an inventory of the stumps was completed <br /> shortly thereafter,which is being used for this project. There were approximately 302 inches of significant trees <br /> removed(do not have the benefit of knowing species,thus,this may include some invasive species, such as Siberian <br /> elm). Forty percent(40%) of those inches should have been retained. However, since all trees were removed, <br /> reforestation is required and shall include at least 151 inches of newly planted trees. The base landscaping can be <br /> applied toward the reforestation requirement,but, additional information on the Landscape Plan is needed to <br /> determine whether the proposed plantings are sufficient. <br /> Landscaping <br /> The landscaping requirements are based on the Canopy Cover Formula. It does appear that the proposed plantings <br /> meet/exceed the minimum landscape requirements. However, as noted above, additional information(caliper size <br /> of proposed plantings) is needed to verify whether the reforestation requirement is also being satisfied. Species are <br /> all acceptable or preferred per the Ramsey Tree Book. <br /> Staff has noted that it may be worthwhile clustering some of the plantings between 139th Lane and units 22-27. <br /> When the commercial area on the north side of 139th Lane is developed,there could be some concern with <br /> headlights from vehicles exiting that lot at night. Granted, Staff acknowledges that it is unknown exactly where an <br />