Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/19/2025

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5. 1. Environmental Policy Board (EPB) Meeting Date: 05/19/2025 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: Consider the Natural Resources Aspects of a Site Plan for Taco Bell (Project No. 25-109); Case of Border Foods, LLC Purpose/Background: The City has received an application from Border Foods, LLC (the "Applicant") for consideration of a Site Plan for Taco Bell, to be located at the southeast corner of Armstrong Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard (the "Subject Property"). Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Project Overview The Applicant is proposing to construct a 2,867 square -foot building for Taco Bell on the Subject Property. Access to the Subject Property will be from a shared driveway off of Sunwood Drive that will ultimately serve three (3) separate parcels, as well as a right turn only for northbound traffic on Armstrong Boulevard. The site is being designed with a drive-thru lane that has stacking space for up to eleven (11) vehicles and twenty-three (23) parking spaces. Existing Natural Resources The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does not identify any native plant communities within the Subject Property. The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) categorizes the Subject Property as being 'Urban with Little Vegetative Cover' with a small section of 'Wetland Shrubland' in the northwest corner. There are no floodplains on the Subject Property. There are essentially no wetlands on the Subject Property except for a couple of points where the wetland jogs' slightly onto the Subject Property, but there are no proposed impacts on the wetland. Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan The site is devoid of any tree cover and thus, there is no need for a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan. Landscape Plan The Landscape Plan includes a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees, along with some ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials. All proposed species and sizes are acceptable. There is sufficient diversity among the proposed species. A combination of sod and seeding is proposed to establish permanent ground cover. Sod will be installed along Armstrong Boulevard and wrapping around the southern portion of the property. Sod will also be installed along the back of the curb adjacent to the parking stalls and along the drive-thru lane with seeding beyond that. An ornamental wrought -iron fence is proposed behind the curb of the drive-thru lane on the west side of the building. Staff will continue to work with the lots to the south to try and ensure a consistent style of fence across all three lots being created by the Bunker Lake Crossing plat. The Landscape Plan does comply with the minimum requirements. Funding Source: