Consider Landscape Plan Associated with the Site Plan for Name Brand Storage (Project No. 19-120); Case of Josh Peterson

The City has received an application from Josh Peterson (the "Applicant") for a Minor Plat and Site Plan for a proposed self storage facility located at the western boundary of the city, north of 156th Ave south/southwest of the BNSF railroad tracks (the "Subject Property").

General Information
The Subject Property is approximately 9.35 acres in size and is zoned E-1 Employment.  Self storage facilities are a permitted use in the E-1 Employment District.  The properties to the south are also zoned E-1 Employment; to the north is the BNSF railroad tracks and north of that is the Northfork Golf Course; there is one residentially zoned parcel to the north also, with the home slightly over 1,000 feet from the Subject Property; parcels to the west are in the city of Elk River, but appear to be industrial in nature.

Tree Preservation
The submittal does include some information related to existing tree cover (includes genus and/or species and diameter).  There are few existing significant trees on the Subject Property.  While it appears that the project will comply with the tree preservation standards (reforestation addressed with the base landscaping), additional information is needed to confirm (table that includes species, Diameter at Breast Height [DBH], condition, statues (save/remove), etc.  Also, tallies of the total significant tree DBH inches on site, total significant tree DBH removed, and total significant tree DBH saved need to be provided.

It does appear that two (2) trees along the western boundary of the Subject Property are proposed to be saved.  However, based on the grading plan and a proposed chain link fence, both of these trees likely will be severely impacted.  Staff has noted in the review letter that these two trees should be removed and replaced with new plantings.

Natural Area(s)
The City's Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) does not identify any quality natural areas within the Subject Property. The Subject Property was classified as semi-natural (a non-native grassland with sparse deciduous tree cover). Similarly, the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) identifies this site as a dry grassland. There do not appear to be any significant plant communities that warrant additional protections.

Wetlands/Floodplains
There do not appear to be any wetlands or floodplains within the Subject Property that need to be considered.

Landscape Plan
The proposed plantings (85 trees and 288 shrubs) appear to comply with the minimum requirements of the E-1 Employment District.  Since the BNSF railroad tracks separate the Subject Property from the one residential parcel to the north, no bufferyard is required.  However, the Landscape Plan does include a greater emphasis on plantings along the boundary with the railroad right-of-way.   This will not only provide some screening for patrons on the golf course, but also some of the residential homes northeast of the course.  Staff has outlined necessary corrections in the Staff Review Letter.

All costs associated with this project are the Applicant's responsibility.

Motion to recommend approval of the proposed Landscape Plan, contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter.