Review Natural Resources Aspects related to a Proposed Subdivision and Site Plan for DeltaMod Tech (Project No. 19-108)

The City has received applications for a proposed Plat and Site Plan from DeltaMod Tech (the "Applicant") to construct a new manufacturing facility at 8200 Bunker Lake Blvd (the "Subject Property").  The proposed subdivision would result in two (2) buildable lots (one of which will be for the proposed manufacturing facility) and an outlot.  The Subject Property is zoned E-3 Employment District and manufacturing is a permitted use in this district.

No notification is required at this stage of the review.  However, a Public Hearing will be required to address the Preliminary Plat at Planning Commission.  At that time, Staff will attempt to notify all Property Owners within 700 feet of the Subject Property, as listed in the Anoka County records, via Standard US Mail of the Public Hearing, and will also publish a notice in the Anoka Union Herald.

Natural Areas and/or Features
The Subject Property is generally classified as dry grassland per the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS).  However, a narrow, linear strip along the northern boundary is a wetland, dominated with grasses and sedges (graminoid vegetation).  It was identified in the City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) as a saturated, altered/non-native site.  This linear wetland area, which extends from The COR northwest to Lake Itasca, has been identified as part of the Lake Itasca Greenway and the City will be working with the Applicant to secure a trail easement adjacent to the wetland for the public's benefit.

Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan
The majority of the Subject Property is devoid of significant trees.  Lot 1, Block 1 of the proposed Plat, which is the site of the proposed manufacturing facility, is entirely devoid of significant trees and therefore, a tree inventory and preservation plan is not required.

Landscaping
The project is subject to the landscaping standards found in City Code Section 117-124 (E-3 Employment District).  This includes one (1) tree per fifty (50) feet of site perimeter or one (1) tree per 1,000 square feet of building footprint, whichever is greater, along with one (1) tree for every ten (10) parking spaces.  Similarly, one (1) shrub per every thirty (30) feet of site perimeter or one (1) shrub per every 300 square feet of building footprint is required, whichever is greater.  Finally, along the western boundary, which is adjacent to a residential parcel, a sixty (60) foot wide bufferyard with additional plantings (30% of the required plantings) is required.

The Landscape Plan includes a good mix of species, both deciduous and coniferous, and a good diversity of species.  The site appears to be well landscaped.  Staff would note that it appears that the landscape calculations are slightly incorrect regarding parking lot landscaping and the bufferyard.  However, the parking lot is well landscaped, including multiple islands within it for visual relief and shade.  There are no shrubs proposed within the bufferyard area and while there are thirteen (13) trees shown, there is definitely space to enhance the landscaping, which is intended to provide screening between the industrial type of use and residential uses. 

The bufferyard plantings are based on an additional thirty percent (30%) of the required plantings and are to be located within a bufferyard of greenspace that is sixty (60) feet wide.  But, there is only 370 feet of common boundary between the Subject Property and the adjacent residential parcel.  The proposed bufferyard is only forty (40) feet, which will either need to be adjusted to sixty (60) feet in width or the Applicant will need to seek a variance.  However, even if it were the full sixty (60) feet in width, It is unrealistic to fit an additional thirty percent (30%) of the required plantings (49 more trees and 163 more shrubs) within the bufferyard.  However, Staff has noted in the Staff Review Letter that additional plantings, both trees and shrubs, shall be added to enhance the screening for the adjacent residential property.

The proposed landscaping is generally acceptable with the noted exception regarding the bufferyard plantings.  If additional plantings can be incorporated into the bufferyard area, Staff would support the proposed Landscape Plan even with it be slightly deficient of the required plantings.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with this application.

Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter and enhancing the plantings within the bufferyard area.