Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/16/2022

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impacts to this wetland and the required sixteen and a half foot (16.5') wetland setback is included in the plans. The Applicant has submitted their Wetland Delineation application to the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization for review and consideration. Natural Resources Inventory: The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does identify two (2) Moderate Quality natural plant communities on the Subject Property. The first is an Aspen Forest with Saturated Soils, which is in the northeast corner of the Subject Property (within the northern outlot). There are no proposed impacts in this area. The second is an Oak Forest, which is along the eastern edge of what would be the school property. Per the Site Plan, there would be impacts to this natural plant community. Trees within the wetland setback area would be preserved, but those beyond the 16.5 foot setback would be removed to accommodate a stormwater basin. The wetland area, as well as all of the southern outlot, were identified as an Altered/Non-Native Plant Community in the NRI. Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan The Applicant has provided a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan. As this is being reviewed under the B-1 General Business District standards, at least thirty percent (30%) of significant tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) inches shall be preserved. Per the Tree Preservation Summary, there are 8,713 DBH inches on the Subject Property but of those, 1,503 inches are exempt from the calculation (either dead or removed for stormwater management purposes). Thus, at least 2,163 DBH inches are to be preserved to satisfy the 30% requirement. The plans indicate that 1,276 inches (17.7%) will be preserved. The plan also notes the two options outlined in City Code, which include reforestation (at 1.25 inches per 1 inch removed beyond the threshold) or restitution ($125 per 1 inch removed beyond the threshold), or some combination thereof. If reforestation alone were used, a minimum of 444 trees, with a caliper of 2.5 inches, would need to be installed (equates to 1,110 new DBH inches). If restitution alone were used, this would be the equivalent of $110,875. The Applicant can choose either method or a combination of the two methods to satisfy the Tree Preservation standards in City Code. While the requirements are outlined in the plan, there is no indication which method(s) will be used. It is worth noting that there are some invasive species (Siberian Elm and Black Locust) included in the Tree Inventory, which could also be exempted from the removal calculation. The Applicant should update the calculation summary to outline how many DBH inches are invasive species and these should be added to the Exempt Removals. This will reduce the reforestation numbers, albeit likely only slightly. The bulk of the trees being preserved are between the proposed building and 161st Ave NW. This should help retain some of the existing appearance as one travels 161 st Ave and should also provide some screening of the school building for the residents on the south side of the street. However, there may be additional tree loss in this area to accommodate a required ten (10) foot wide bituminous trail from Variolite over to Central Park (not currently shown in the plan set). Revisions to the Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan are required. Landscape Plan A Landscape Plan has been prepared for the project. Based on the linear footage of the perimeter, as well as the number of proposed parking stalls, 109 trees and 265 shrubs are required to satisfy the base landscape requirements. Additionally, because there are existing residential homes to the north, bufferyard plantings are required (equivalent to an additional 30% of the required trees). The plans show sixty (60) evergreen trees, almost twice the required number, positioned in three (3) rows along the northern portion of the property. The Applicant is proposing just over an acre of native grasses, which qualifies for a credit of one (1) tree for each 500 square feet of native landscape, with the credit not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the required plantings (e.g. eligible for credit to reduce required plantings by 54 trees). After applying the credit for the native landscape area, a total of fifty-five (55) trees would be required for base landscaping requirements. The Landscape Plan includes a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, as well as ornamental trees. All species are either preferred or acceptable per the Ramsey Tree Book and meet the minimum required planting size.