Consider Natural Resources Related Elements for Rivenwick Village 4th Addition 

The City has received an application from LGI Homes - Minnesota LLC (the "Applicant") for a Preliminary Plat for Rivenwick Village 4th Addition, located north of Riverdale Drive and west of Jasper Street NW (the "Subject Property").  The purpose of this case is to review the natural resources related aspects of this project.

Project Summary
The project proposes twenty-seven (27) attached townhomes on the Subject Property and includes an extension of 139th Lane to connect to Riverdale Drive as well as private roads to access the units.  The Subject Property is zoned Mixed Use Planned Unit Development (MU-PUD) and was intended to provide a mixture of commercial and residential uses.  In 2019, a similar proposal was reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council, but also include residential north of 139th Lane, adjacent to Highway 10.  At that time, direction was to retain that area specifically for commercial/retail uses.  The current proposal is in unison with that past direction.

Natural Resources Inventory
The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) identifies this area as an Altered/Non-Native Plant Community.  The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System identifies this area as Dry Grassland.  There are no distinct or quality natural plant communities within the Subject Property.

Wetlands/Floodplain
There do not appear to be any wetlands or floodplain on the Subject Property.

Tree Preservation
The Subject Property was platted as an outlot with Rivenwick Village 3rd Addition in 2019.  At that time, tree removal occurred prior to development of a Tree Inventory.  However, an inventory of the stumps was completed shortly thereafter, which is being used for this project.  There were approximately 302 inches of significant trees removed (do not have the benefit of knowing species, thus, this may include some invasive species, such as Siberian elm).  Forty percent (40%) of those inches should have been retained.  However, since all trees were removed, reforestation is required and shall include at least 151 inches of newly planted trees.  The base landscaping can be applied toward the reforestation requirement, but, additional information on the Landscape Plan is needed to determine whether the proposed plantings are sufficient.

Landscaping
The landscaping requirements are based on the Canopy Cover Formula.  It does appear that the proposed plantings meet/exceed the minimum landscape requirements.  However, as noted above, additional information (caliper size of proposed plantings) is needed to verify whether the reforestation requirement is also being satisfied.  Species are all acceptable or preferred per the Ramsey Tree Book.  

Staff has noted that it may be worthwhile clustering some of the plantings between 139th Lane and units 22-27.  When the commercial area on the north side of 139th Lane is developed, there could be some concern with headlights from vehicles exiting that lot at night.  Granted, Staff acknowledges that it is unknown exactly where an access point(s) may be located for that parcel.

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

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