Consider Natural Resources Aspects of a Proposed Site Plan to Accommodate an Expansion of Fleet Operations at 14021 Basalt Street NW (Project No. 26-105); Case of ACE Solid Waste Inc.

The City has received a Land Use Application from Waste Connections, Inc. d/b/a ACE Solid Waste Inc. (the "Applicant") for review of a Site Plan that is intended to accommodate an expansion of their fleet used in their waste and recycling services.  The Site Plan includes an expansion of parking/maneuvering areas at 14021 Basalt Street NW (the "Subject Property") and installation of additional compressed natural gas fueling 'stations'.  The Land Use Application also includes additional requests which are outside the Environmental Policy Board's purview such as a request to vacate a portion of road right-of-way at the south end of Basalt Street, adjacent to the Subject Property, a rezoning of 14021 Azurite Street from I-1 Light Industrial to I-2 General Industrial, and a minor plat to combined multiple parcels into a single parcel.  The Applicant has stated that this is for future site planning and operations.

Project Overview
The Applicant is proposing to add fifty-two (52) additional parking stalls on the Subject Property, along with compressed natural gas fueling stations for their expanding fleet.  The existing building on the Subject Property will be removed as part of this project.  The Applicant is also requesting to vacate the dedicated right-of-way of Basalt Street abutting the Subject Property.  Additionally, stormwater ponding and landscaping will also be installed as part of this project. 

Natural Resources Inventory and Minnesota Land Cover Classification System Information
The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does not identify any native plant communities on the Subject Property.  The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCSS) categorizes the entire Subject Property as 'Urban with Little Vegetative Cover'.  There are no wetlands or floodplain on the Subject Property either.

Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan
The submittal does include a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan.  The primary species on site include bur oak, Colorado blue spruce, and eastern red cedar.  Approximately 33% of the significant tree DBH inches will be preserved (City Code allows removal of up to 70% of the significant tree DBH inches).  

Landscape Plan
A Landscape Plan was also included with the Applicant's submittal.  Twenty (20) new trees are proposed to be installed on the Subject Property.  Presently, 100% of the proposed plantings are deciduous species.  City Code Section 106-570 (d) (4) requires not less than 25% of the plantings consist of coniferous trees.  The Plant Schedule will need to be modified to include coniferous trees so that the Plant Schedule consists of not less than 25% coniferous species.  All proposed species and sizes are otherwise acceptable.  Pervious areas will be finished with a low maintenance turf sod, while the stormwater ponds will be seeded with a wet ditch seed mix appropriate for stormwater management purposes.
 

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

Staff recommends approval of the Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan and the Landscape Plan, contingent upon incorporating coniferous species into the Plant Schedule.

Motion to recommend approval of the natural resources aspects of the project, contingent upon compliance with Staff's review comments.