Consider Landscape Plan and Natural Resources Aspects for Garden View Villas

The City has received an application for Preliminary Plat and Site Plan review of a proposed residential development located north of 147th Lane and east of Center Street (the "Subject Property").  The Subject Property is zoned R-2 Residential (Medium Density) and consists of twenty-three (23) detached townhome units.

Natural Resources Inventory (NRI)
The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System identifies two land cover types on the Subject Property, dry grassland and wetland.  However, the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) further classifies both as altered/non-native plant communities.  There is some built in protection for the wetland in the form of the required sixteen and a half foot (16.5') setback encumbered with drainage and utility easement, which is shown on the Site Plan.  It appears that just beyond this setback is a proposed five (5) foot tall retaining wall.

Tree Preservation
The submittal does include tree preservation data; however, additional information is still required to determine whether the project complies with the Tree Preservation Ordinance.  Specifically, Staff has requested the applicant provide tallies of the existing significant tree inches, inches to be preserved, inches to be removed, inches of invasive species, and general comments about why trees are being removed (e.g. for stormwater pond, general grading, etc.).  This data is necessary to determine compliance with the minimum standards in City Code.  Per the Tree Inventory, there is some tree cover on the Subject Property, predominantly consisting of Boxelder and Eastern Red Cedar, both native species but not necessarily considered as highly desirable.  The site apparently also includes Amur Maple, Russian Olive, and Siberian Elm, all three (3) species are on Ramsey's prohibited list as they are considered invasive species.

Landscaping
The submittal includes a Landscape Plan for the Subject Property.  Based on the zoning designation, the base landscaping required is determined by applying the Canopy Cover Formula and is expressed in square feet of total canopy cover.  Based on the information provided, the proposed landscaping appears to be deficient by about 6,000 square feet of canopy cover (this could easily be accomplished by adding several additional shade trees).  Staff is also requesting that the species diversity be increased by incorporating at least one additional genus into the Plant Schedule.  The more diverse the plantings are, the better buffer against loss due to insect pests and/or pathogens.

There is an existing boulevard along 147th Lane that could support street tree plantings, as it is six to seven feet (6-7') wide. It seems like an ideal opportunity to accommodate the additional plantings.  Furthermore, it would continue the pattern of boulevard trees that exist on the north side of 147th Lane further to the east as well as on the south side of the street across from the Subject Property.

Density Transitioning
The area north of the Subject Property is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD), but has the density typical of the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) and therefore, some density transitioning is required.  The PUD is somewhat unique in the sense that it was established to provide a live-work option, with the northern 200 feet for residential purposes and the southern 400 or so feet intended to accommodate various commercial uses.  Due to the unique nature of the PUD, and the fact that City Code allows some flexibility for transitioning options adjacent to a PUD, the Planning Commission, when they reviewed the Sketch Plan for this project, was comfortable with a reduced buffer width of twenty (20) feet but didn't specifically address the required plantings.

It appears that the applicant is intending to utilize landscaping to address density transitioning.  However, additional plantings are required above and beyond the base landscaping requirements to accomplish this.  The additional plantings required would equal eight (8) each of overstory, evergreen and understory trees for every 100 feet of common boundary line (approximately 550 feet, as beyond that, the wetland satisfies the transitioning requirement).  The current submittal does not include any any plantings for density transitioning (there are plantings along this common boundary, but those are for the base landscape requirements).  Staff, through the review letter, has requested that the applicant provide additional plantings to satisfy the density transition requirement and that they be included in a separate Plant Schedule.   This may result in a overhaul of landscaping overall.

Finally, the Landscape Plan does indicate the use of a native seed mix in various area.  While Staff is generally supportive of incorporating native landscapes in projects, in this instance, the seed mix is proposed in fairly narrow, non-continuous strips, including backing up to 147th Lane.  Staff has suggested that the native landscape be reconsidered and if it is truly desired, that it should be designed in one or two contiguous areas.  Furthermore, a management plan should be submitted and ultimately provided to the Home Owners Association for long term guidance on maintenance. 

The applicant is responsible for all costs related to this project.

Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plans contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter.