Review Natural Resources Aspects of Sketch Plan for Williams Woods (Project #20-138); Case of Bill Boyum

The City has received a Sketch Plan application for a proposed nine (9) lot subdivision on approximately nine-four (94) acres located.  The project involves six (6) individual parcels, all affiliated with 7363 175th Ave NW (the "Subject Property").  While this project is only at the Sketch Plan step, which does not include detailed plans such as a tree inventory or wetland delineation, Staff wanted to route this through to the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) now for any initial comments or feedback.

The Subject Property is located in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District and is guided as Rural Developing in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  Minimum lot size in this district is 2.5 acres and the maximum density permitted is one unit per 2.5 acres.  The Subject Property is approximately 94 acres in size and the project is only proposing nine (9) total lots well within the allowable thresholds.

Natural Resources Inventory

The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) identifies multiple moderate quality natural areas within the Subject Property, including both Oak Forest and Dry Prairie.  Due to the limited number of proposed lots, the project has the potential to minimize impacts to these natural areas.  While there will be some disturbance, it appears that grading will be limited mostly to the public road and house pad locations.  Due to the oaks present on the Subject Property, any clearing activities will need to occur outside of April 15 to July 15 due to concerns with potential introduction of oak wilt to the area. 

Due to the size of the Subject Property and the limited areas of site disturbance, the Applicant has proposed limiting the tree inventory to just those designated areas of potential impact.  This approach does seem reasonable.  This has been discussed with the project design team and it was understood that the project must still comply with the tree preservation standards in City Code (retaining at least thirty percent [30%] of the significant tree diameter at breast height [DBH] inches on site).  Again, with limited areas of disturbance, Staff does not think this will be an issue.

Wetlands and Floodplain

There are both wetlands and floodplain on the Subject Property.  Per the Sketch Plan information, approximately thirty (30) acres of the Subject Property contain either wetland and/or floodplain.  The floodplain is designated as General Floodplain, meaning that there has not been detailed modeling done to determine Floodway and Flood Fringe boundaries.  If there are any proposed impacts to floodplain areas, modeling will need to be completed to determine if any portion is considered Floodway.  Permitted uses within Floodway are very limited whereas in the Flood Fringe, structures are permitted, but must be elevated by fill to at least one (1) foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).

A wetland delineation has been completed.  The Sketch Plan does include the required sixteen and a half foot (16.5') wetland setback.  There appear to be minimal impacts to wetland on Lots 3-5, simply due to needing the driveways to access buildable locations on each of the lots.  Depending on the actual impacts, this may qualify under the de minimus exemption in the Wetland Conservation Act; however, that is determined by the Local Governmental Unit (LGU), which is the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO).

While no specific action is necessary, the EPB has the opportunity to provide initial feedback on the project prior to more detailed plans being developed.

All costs associated with the project are the Applicant's responsibility.

No action is required.  This is simply an opportunity to provide initial feedback on the natural resources aspects of this project, if the EPB so desires.