Consider Natural Resources Aspects of Proposed Site Plan and Plat for Storyteller Cafe (Project No. 23-118); Case of Stories Foundation

The City has received an application from Stories Foundation (the "Applicant") for Site Plan and Final Plat consideration for a proposed 3-story building located at the southeast corner of Yolite Street and Sunwood Drive (the "Subject Property").  This project was originally reviewed and approved in 2021 (with contingencies, including plan revisions). However, those approvals have since expired.  

Project Summary
The Applicant is proposing a 3-story building that would include both restaurant/cafe and retail space on the first floor, office space and three (3) apartments on the second floor, and a rooftop deck on the third floor.  The proposed building would be approximately 6,900 square feet in size, with parking on the south side, and the potential for a ground floor patio area along Sunwood Drive.  The proposal is very similar to what was previously approved (including previously identified plan revisions that have now been incorporated).

Natural Resources Information
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) does not identify any significant vegetative cover on site either.  The Subject Property is categorized as 'Urban with Little Vegetative Cover' within the MLCCS.  Per the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), there are no wetlands present.  Finally, there are no floodplain designations on the  Subject Property.

Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan
There are no existing trees on the Subject Property.  Therefore, there is no tree inventory or preservation requirements.

Landscaping
The submittal does include a Landscape Plan.  However, the Landscape Plan layout does not match that of the current Site Plan.  The plantings include a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees, some shrubs, as well as perennial and decorative plantings.  Revisions to the plan are required as there are no streetscape plantings along Yolite Street, nor is there any screening of the parking lot along Veterans Drive or Yolite Street.  There are also other more minor revisions needed as outlined in the attached Landscape Plan.

As the Environmental Policy Board knows, the COR Design Framework puts a greater emphasis on streetscape plantings than plantings internal to a site.  Furthermore, there are specific species 'pools' to choose from depending on the classification of the street (Yolite Street is classified as a Local Street in the Framework).  When Yolite Street was constructed, Accolade Elms were planted on the west side.  Accolade Elms should now be installed in the boulevard along the east side of Yolite Street to create a symmetric appearance.

The COR Design Framework also stresses a build-to line rather than a more traditional setback.  The purpose is to have buildings near the right-of-way boundary to encourage more pedestrian-oriented development rather than parking lots.  When there are multiple frontages, such as the case with this project, the COR Design Framework states that screening, such as a decorative wall, railing, hedge, or some combination thereof, shall be installed.  The Landscape Plan must be revised to include screening along Veterans Drive as well as a portion of Yolite Street.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with this application.

Staff recommends approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with Staff's review comments.

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