Consider Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory for Bunker Lake Business Park

The purpose of this case is to review the Landscape Plan and Tree Inventory for a new Business Park being proposed near the southeast corner of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Puma St.  The total area is about forty-five (45) acres in size, but only a portion of that is being proposed for development initially.  It should be noted that the City Council has approved a Tree Clearing and Grading Agreement for the Developer to allow some of the site preparation work to begin in advance of final approvals to aid in getting Lots 1 & 2 pad ready as soon as possible.

The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) did not identify any natural areas within the project site.  The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) categorizes the entire area as dry grassland.  However, there are several pockets or areas of significant trees, as defined in City Code, across the site. 

Based on the access to existing utilities and the need/desire for visibility from Highway 10, the siting of the initial buildings will be in the southeast corner of the property.  There will be stormwater ponding directly west of the buildings.  From there to the western edge of the property, there will be some significant grade corrections necessary.  As a result, all significant trees are proposed for removal across the entire site.  This obviously exceeds the removal threshold and will require reforestation at a rate of 1.25" for every 1" removed beyond the allowable threshold or a payment of $125.00 per 1" removed beyond the threshold allowed into the Community Forestry Fund, or some combination thereof.

The proposed on-site landscaping for Lots 1 & 2 appear to be deficient in quantity of trees and there are no shrubs shown at all.  While there is quite a bit of off-site landscaping proposed in the form of street trees, that does not apply to the on-site requirements (but does apply toward the reforestation requirements for the overall project).  Significant modifications to the Landscape Plan are needed to bring it into compliance with City Code provisions.

The City is excited to see the growth of a new Business Park and is attempting to accommodate a very aggressive timetable to allow construction to commence in late summer/early fall, evidenced by the approval of a Tree Clearing and Grading Agreement to allow these activities to occur prior to final approval.  However, the project is still subject to the minimum standards in City Code, including landscaping.  As part of the approval of the Tree Clearing and Grading Agreement, the City Council asked the Developer if he was committed to ensure the project complied with these standards and he responded in the affirmative.  With that understanding, Staff is comfortable with a positive recommendation contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter.

 

All costs associated with this project are the responsibility of the Applicant.

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