5.1.
Environmental Policy Board (EPB)
- Meeting Date:
- 10/16/2017
- By:
- Chris Anderson, Community Development
Information
Title:
Sketch Plan for Villas at North Fork
Purpose/Background:
The purpose of this case is to introduce the EPB to a proposed Sketch Plan for the Villas at North Fork. The proposed development is located along the south side of Alpine Drive immediately west of the Riverstone project and directly south of Lake Itasca (the "Subject Property"). More detailed plans, including Landscape and Tree Preservation plans, will be developed and submitted in the coming months as part of a Preliminary Plat package.
The Villas at North Fork is a proposed 100-unit residential development. The project would consist entirely of detached townhomes with a Home Owners Association (HOA) to manage the site. This project would require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for both density and to extend City services (sewer and water). Due to the need for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, a higher standard of review can be applied.
Based on the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) and the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), the Subject Property consists entirely of dry grassland and is categorized as an Altered/Non-Native Plant Community (per MLCCS, this is considered a semi-natural community and does not qualify for natural quality ranking) . The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) does not identify any wetland on the Subject Property and the City's floodplain maps show the Subject Property as being outside any designated floodplain.
While there are not more detailed plans available (not required until the Preliminary Plat stage), this is an opportunity for the EPB to review the project in general as it relates to natural resources. Items to consider may include recommendations for boulevard trees (rather than front yard trees), retention of trees in the northwest corner of the Subject Property (granted, it is not known what is there in terms of species, size, quantity, or condition), and potential areas for pollinator friendly landscaping.
The Villas at North Fork is a proposed 100-unit residential development. The project would consist entirely of detached townhomes with a Home Owners Association (HOA) to manage the site. This project would require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for both density and to extend City services (sewer and water). Due to the need for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, a higher standard of review can be applied.
Based on the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) and the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), the Subject Property consists entirely of dry grassland and is categorized as an Altered/Non-Native Plant Community (per MLCCS, this is considered a semi-natural community and does not qualify for natural quality ranking) . The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) does not identify any wetland on the Subject Property and the City's floodplain maps show the Subject Property as being outside any designated floodplain.
While there are not more detailed plans available (not required until the Preliminary Plat stage), this is an opportunity for the EPB to review the project in general as it relates to natural resources. Items to consider may include recommendations for boulevard trees (rather than front yard trees), retention of trees in the northwest corner of the Subject Property (granted, it is not known what is there in terms of species, size, quantity, or condition), and potential areas for pollinator friendly landscaping.
Funding Source:
All costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the Applicant.
Action:
Based on discussion; no specific action is needed.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | JoAnn Shaw | 10/12/2017 04:14 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Chris Anderson
- Started On:
- 10/11/2017 12:13 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/12/2017