Agenda - Council - 05/27/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-180- lVlr. Patrick Trudgeon May 13, 2003 Page 3 Recreation Open Space (Michael McDonough 651-602-1054) Section 10- Forest/IS/oodland If there are any significant native trees in the shelterbelts or the homestead site, the project Would benefit from preserving and incorporating the trees into the new development to the extent possible. A city tree ordinance may provide the appropriate mitigation process for any trees that are removed. Section l l- Mitigation Element/Wildlife Habitat The proposed greenway and trail connection between the Town Center project and the Mississippi West Regional Park, Regional Trail and the Mississippi River may provide a desirable connection. For the trail connection to be safe and convenient for people to use, a grade-separated connection i§ preferred. An over pass would seem to provide a safer connection for people due to the length a tunnel would need to be to traverse both the railroad tracks and TH 10. A wildlife corridor connection would likely work better if it was an underpass. The Minnesota Department of transportation provides "critter crossing" on some of their road projects and could provide examples of successful projects. A wider and greener connection would make the connection between the development and the regional park/river stronger. Section 12- Drainage Area 26 A portion of the storm water connection to the Mississippi Rivet' is proposed to be in Mississippi West Regional Park. Coordination with Anoka County Parks is required for any work proposed in the park. If storm water management for the Town Center development is done in the park, appropriate mitigation should be provided. Public park land that was purchased/donated for park purposes that is used to manage storm water for an off-site development should be replaced with comparable parkland. Figure 12.4 indicates that some of the wetland mitigation will take place in the regional park. [f land within the park is utilized for wetland mitigation for the Town Center development, this land should be replaced with comparable land. Section 12- 3//itigation Impacts Associated with Stormwater Outfall to the ~kIississippi River Preservation of the river bluff and its natural vegetation is hnportant. The storm water management infrastructure should strive to minimize disturbance.to the natural shoreline of the river. Council staff concurs with the AUAR recommendation for use of directional boring techniques in lieu of open-cut construction. Section 14- Resource Protection Zones Water Related Management District. If wetland mitigation or stormwater management for the Town Center project takes place on the south side of TH 10 and in the regional park, those activities are within the Mississippi Critical Area and the appropriate rules apply from the City's Critical Area Plan. Environmental Services (James Larsen 651-602-1159) Section ii - Fish, gZildlife, and Ecologically Sensitive Resources Given the extent of the proposed water feature on the site and extent of nearby sandy up land area, the site habitat may be even more amenable to amphibians and reptiles in the future than it is now. Turtles are known to travel up to a mile from wetland feeding areas to their upland nesting areas. Council staff recommends requiring the use of surmountable curbs 0n all roads within the proposed development area so turtles do not become trapped within the roadways. I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I