Review Landsacpe and Tree Preservation Plans for Basalt Industrial (Project No. 18-105)

The purpose of this case is to review the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plans associated with a Site Plan for a new industrial building project.  The project is located at the northeast corner of Basalt Street and 141^st Ave NW (the “Subject Property”).  The Subject Property is currently owned by the City and there is an active purchase agreement in place with Sharp and Associates, who is the developer.
 

The Site Plan includes a 9,700 square foot building with the potential of five (5) units, each having it’s own bay.  There are two (2) proposed entrances, both off of Basalt Street and twenty-eight (28) parking spaces.  There is some existing tree cover on the Subject Property, primarily along the eastern property boundary.  The existing trees consist predominantly of Bur Oak and Siberian Elm. 

The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) classifies this site as 'urban with little vegetative cover'.  It does not contain any natural areas per the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), nor are there any wetlands or floodplains on the Subject Property.

The proposed landscaping generally meets the requirements of the E-1 Employment District, with the exception of parking lot landscaping (deficient three [3] trees).  However, based on the amount of tree removals proposed, additional reforestation is required.  Based on the proposed plans, only about sixteen percent of the significant tree DBH inches are being retained (after excluding invasive species and trees removed due to ponding requirements).  When factoring in the proposed landscaping, the project is still deficient roughly forty-two (42) inches of reforestation.  The Staff Review Letter outlines this in greater detail.

Regarding Tree Preservation, there are oaks being preserved on the Subject Property as well as on adjacent parcels.  Thus, an Oak Wilt Management Plan will be required to outline what precautionary steps will be taken to prevent the introduction of Oak Wilt into the area.  Furthermore, the Staff Review Letter outlines necessary corrections regarding the location of Tree Save Fencing to ensure protection of the critical root zone (generally speaking, within the dripline of trees).

Overall, Staff is generally supportive of the project, contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter.
 

All costs associated with this request are the responsibliity of the Applicant.

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