Consider Natural Resources Aspects of Proposed Site Plan for Aldi (Project No. 23-105)

The City has received an application from Aldi (the "Applicant") for Site Plan, Plat, and Easement Vacation for a proposed Aldi grocery store to be located at the southeast corner of Armstrong Boulevard and 147th Avenue (the "Subject Property").  The Subject Property is currently owned by the City.

Project Overview
The proposal is for an approximately 20,000 square foot Aldi grocery store to be situated along Sunwood Drive.  The City currently owns all three (3) parcels south of 147th Avenue and west of Sunwood Drive.  The plat would combine the two northern lots into a single parcel to accommodate this project.  The City would retain ownership of the other parcel.  Parking would be between Armstrong Boulevard and the building and the two existing access points along 14th Avenue and Sunwood Drive will be used for ingress and egress.

Natural Resources Inventory and Minnesota Land Cover Classification System
The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does not identify any native plant communities on the Subject Property.  Additionally, the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) categorizes the Subject Property as 'Urban with Little Vegetative Cover'.  Aside from the existing streetscape, there are no trees on the Subject Property.

Wetlands and Floodplain
Per the National Wetland Inventory (NWI), there are no wetlands within the Subject Property.  Furthermore, there are no designated floodplains either.

Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan
As was previously noted, there are no significant trees on the Subject Property.  The existing streetscape trees will remain in place.  Staff has noted as part of our review comments that any boulevard tree(s) damaged as a result of either site improvements or building construction will be required to be replaced.

Landscape Plan
The Landscape Plan focuses entirely on internal site plantings since the boulevard trees are already in place.  The Landscape Plan includes multiple islands within the parking lot that contain trees, shrubs, and/or both.  However, riverrock is proposed within these islands rather than woodchips.  Staff has requested the plan be revised to replace the riverrock with an organic type of mulch to help moderate soil temperature and assist with water retention. The perimeter of the parking lot is also lined with both trees and shrubs on the west and north sides.  Generally speaking, all species are acceptable.  Staff has suggested that the Cockspur Hawthorn should be a thornless variety and that an alternative to Mountain Ash should maybe be considered for the parking lot plantings (Mountain Ash is somewhat intolerant of urban settings).  Furthermore, Staff has recommended that additional plantings be added between the eastern wall of the building and Sunwood Drive.


 

All costs associated with this request are the Applicant's responsibility.

Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan, contingent upon compliance with Staff's review comments.