Consider the Natural Resources Aspects of a Site Plan for Kwik Trip at the Southwest Corner of Armstrong Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard (Project No. 25-104); Case of Kwik Trip, Inc.

The City has received a Land Use Application from Kwik Trip, Inc. (the "Applicant") for consideration of a Site Plan, Minor Plat, and Conditional Use Permit related to a proposed new convenience store located at the southwest corner of Armstrong Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard (the "Subject Property"). 

Project Overview
The Applicant is proposing to construct an approximately 11,000 square foot convenience store and car wash on the Subject Property.  Primary access to the Subject Property will be from Ferret Street, but there will also be a right-in, right-out access off of Bunker Lake Boulevard.  The fuel canopy will be west of the building, with stormwater ponds east of the building.  Parking is provided along the west, north and east sides of the building.  In 2023, the City extended Ferret Street north to connect to Bunker Lake Boulevard.  As a result of that street extension, the Subject Property was bisected.  The Minor Plat will officially split the Subject Property into two (2) parcels, one on each side of Ferret Street.

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

Tree Preservation Plan
Essentially, the only tree cover on the Subject Property is a row of trees along the southern property line.  The vast majority of existing trees are spruce, with a few ash trees, along with one red cedar and one jack pine.  Clusters of these existing trees, one towards the western portion of the Subject Property and one towards the eastern portion of the Subject Property, will be preserved.  The three (3) ash trees are all slated for removal.  As proposed, the project does comply with the tree preservation standards and no reforestation or restitution will be required.  Additionally, there is a potential for more of the existing trees to be retained on site, depending on grading.  The plans do note that if these need to be removed, they will be replaced with six (6) foot tall Black Hills spruce.

Landscape Plan
The Landscape Plan includes a good mix of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs.  All species and sizes are acceptable.  The site will be sodded with Kentucky bluegrass, except for the two stormwater basins, where a stormwater seed mix will be used to establish vegetation. 

Well Head Protection Overlay District
The Subject Property is located within the Well Head Protection Overlay District, but is not within a 10-year capture zone.  The overlay district does outline seven (7) additional standards that are applicable for any gas station or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) sales, which are outlined in City Code Section 106-990.
 

All costs associated with this Land Use Application are the Applicant's responsibility.

Staff recommends approving the natural resources aspects of this Site Plan.

Motion to recommend approval of the natural resources aspects of the Site Plan.