Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/16/2026

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5. 1. Environmental Policy Board (EPB) Meeting Date:03/16/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Information Title: Consider Request for a Variance to Utilize an Alternative Technique for Collecting the Tree Inventory Data for Serenity at Rivers Edge (Project 26-101) Purpose/Background: The City has received a Land Use Application from Rivers Edge Development LLC (the "Applicant") for a variance to deviate from the standard tree inventory methodology for the plat known as Serenity at Rivers Edge. The project is located on the south side of Riverdale Drive, between Dolomite Street and Sunfish Lake Boulevard (the "Subject Property"). The Applicant is proposing to use a Fixed Radius Plot methodology, rather than tagging each individual significant tree, due to existing site conditions. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Development Summary The Applicant is proposing to subdivide the Subject Property into two (2) single family residential lots along with a large outlot. The intention is to develop the entirety of the Subject Property into single-family residential lots. However, the Applicant cannot currently meet the density requirements (2.25–4 units per acre), without essentially clear-cutting the existing tree cover on the Subject Property. But, the Subject Property abuts the Mississippi River, which means it is also located within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA). This overlay district includes additional regulations, specifically addressing vegetation management and land disturbance, amongst other things. The Applicant has stated a desire to limit the overall impact on the Subject Property and has proposed to 'custom' develop each lot to minimize impacts on existing natural resources. As part of the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update process, Staff will be proposing a 'River District', applicable to both the Scenic River Protection Overlay District and the MRCCA, which would permit a lower density. The purpose of a lesser density would be to align more with the intent of both overlay districts, which is to minimize disturbance of existing natural resources. Proposed Tree Inventory Methodology There is significant tree cover on the Subject Property, primarily consisting of eastern red cedar, with other species, both coniferous and deciduous, sprinkled throughout the site. The tree cover is very dense, and considering that the vast majority of trees are evergreens (eastern red cedar) with branching down to the ground, it would be very challenging, time-consuming, and costly to complete a standard tree inventory (locating and tagging each significant tree). Furthermore, many of the lowest limbs are dead, due to a lack of sunlight reaching them, posing more of a safety risk for the individual(s) that would be conducting the inventory (these branches can be sharp). Thus, the Applicant is proposing to map the precise boundaries of the wooded areas and then utilize Fixed Radius Plots (FRP) to collect data and then extrapolate that out to the entire Subject Property. The Subject Property is nearly a monoculture of eastern red cedars that appear to all be roughly the same height and are in similar growing conditions and soil. Thus, the FRP method would be an acceptable alternative method. This is the same methodology that was used for the tree inventory and preservation plan for a different development in the northern part of the City (this project was granted a variance to utilize FRP to complete the tree inventory and develop their tree preservation plan). Within the Subject Property, the Applicant would establish 1/10 acre plots and all trees within these plots would be inventoried. Once completed, the data can be extrapolated out to the entire site to provide a relative basal area, relative species abundance, and relative health condition, which can then be used to formulate the tree preservation plan.