Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/17/2026

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5.2. Environmental Policy Board (EPB) Meeting Date: 08/17/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Information Title: Consider Natural Resources Aspects of a Site Plan for Scooter's Coffee (Project No. 26-110); Case of Harlow Beckett Enterprises Purpose/Background: The City has received a Land Use Application from Harlow Beckett Enterprises (the "Applicant") for a Minor Plat and Site Plan for a proposed Scooter's Coffee to be located along the west side of Ramsey Boulevard, south of Sunwood Drive and the existing Casey's store (the "Subject Property"). Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Project Overview The Applicant is proposing to construct a 664 square foot, drive-thru coffee shop on the Subject Property. While the Subject Property fronts onto Ramsey Boulevard, access will be off of Sunwood Drive via a shared access drive between Casey's and Oreilly's. The Subject Property is in the COR-3 zoning district and is guided as Mixed Use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A coffee shop is a permitted use in this zoning district; however, the drive-thru component will require a Conditional Use Permit. This is a drive-thru only, with no accommodations for indoor seating. Natural Resources Inventory and Minnesotal Land Cover Classification System The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does not identify any native plant communities on the Subject Property. Furthermore, the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) identifies the entirety of the Subject Property as 'Urban with Little Vegetative Cover'. There are no wetlands or floodplains on the Subject Property. Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan The Subject Property is devoid of any significant trees and, therefore, a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan is not required. Landscape Plan A Landscape Plan was included with the submittal. The Landscape Plan includes sixteen (16) deciduous trees and forty-three (43) shrubs, including a mixture of deciduous and coniferous species. All proposed species and sizes are compliant. The Subject Property is only about 0.75 acres in size, with a majority of the site being impervious. The COR Design Framework really emphasizes streetscape plantings. However, the only public road frontage abutting the Subject Property is Ramsey Boulevard, which is an Anoka County Highway, where tree plantings are not required (or supported by Anoka County Highway Department). All impervious areas, excluding planter beds, will be finished with sod and an in -ground irrigation system. The only comments Staff had on the Landscape Plan are: 1. Provide additional details on the proposed fencing that will parallel Ramsey Boulevard (dimensions and materials); and 2. The warranty period on the trees and shrubs needs to be two (2) years. Funding Source: