PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Request for a Variance to Utilize an Alternative Tree Inventory Technique for Trott Brook North (Project No. 21-130); Case of Sotarra

The City received an application for a variance from Sotarra (the "Applicant") to utilize an alternative technique to complete the required tree inventory for the Trott Brook North project.  The project area is generally located west of Nowthen Boulevard, south of 173rd Avenue, north of Trott Brook, and east of Variolite (the "Subject Property").  

The City attempted to notify Property Owners, as reflected in the Anoka County Property Records, within 350 feet of the Subject Property of the request.

The Subject Property has approximately 124 developable acres and of that, approximately twenty-eight (28) acres of trees.  However, the tree coverage can be further broken down into about eleven acres of naturally occurring woodlands and approximately seventeen (17) acres of planted/cultivated woodland. The Applicant would complete a standard tree inventory within all of the naturally occurring woodland areas but has proposed utilizing a Fixed Radius Plot (FRP) sampling technique within the 17 acres of planted woodland. 

The FRP sampling technique is commonly used in the timber industry where trees are generally the same age, size, species, and in the same or very similar growing conditions.  Per the attached memorandum, the proposed FRP sampling technique would only be utilized in an area where the trees were planted, rather than occurring naturally. The FRP method would establish 1/10 acre plots within the roughly 17 acre planted area and all trees within that plot would be surveyed. The results would be extrapolated out to the entire planted area to provide a per acre relative basal area, relative species abundance, and relative health condition for the planted area stand of trees.

The Environmental Policy Board (EPB) has reviewed this request at both their June 28 and July 19 meetings.  The EPB originally sought more information to assess the accuracy of the sampling technique and wanted to better understand the potential time savings this method would provide.  Ultimately, the EPB supported this alternative sampling technique within the planted areas due to the homogenous characteristics and the supporting studies provided by the Applicant outlining the accuracy of this technique.  However, the EPB also specifically noted that this was unique due to planted woodlands (compared to the natural woodlands, which would have much greater diversity in species, age, and size).

When contemplating a variance, a three (3) factor test must be applied to determine practical difficulties:

1. Reasonableness - The proposal is to utilize an alternative inventorying technique, not to eliminate the need to do an inventory.  Due to the composition of the planted woodland area (generally the same age, size, species, and growing conditions), the FRP technique should provide a fairly accurate accounting of existing trees. 
2. Uniqueness - The areas in which this request is applicable consist of a planted stand of coniferous trees.  These trees are generally the same age, size, and species, which is considerably different from a naturally occurring woodland.
3. Essential Character - This alternative sampling technique will not have any bearing on the essential character of the surrounding area.  There will be persons on the ground collecting tree data (whether using the FRP technique or conducting a standard inventory.  This is just data gathering and will not have any direct bearing on the layout of the proposed development. 

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

The Environmental Policy Board supported the request to utilize the FRP technique within the planted areas due to the unique characteristics of these stands of trees (similar ages, sizes, species).

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-247 granting a variance to utilize a Fixed Radius Plot sampling technique within the planted woodlands on the Subject Property.