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� <br /> � <br /> � A small number of existing trees will also be removed near the northern edge of the <br /> = existing woodland. These trees are lower quality cottonwood, boxelder, and buckthorn <br /> trees and add little value to the natural resources and ecological habitat of the site. <br /> � Native and higher value vegetation will be planted to improve the quality of the natural <br /> environment, the ecological habitat of the site, to help screen future home sites from the <br /> ■ new Highway 12, and to provide necessary buffer areas for the existing wetlands. <br /> These buffer areas will also be maintained as an added measure of protection of existing <br /> � wetland features. <br /> � The preservation of the existing driveway access from Old Highway 12 is also an integral <br /> � component of the conservation design. The driveway is surrounded by existing <br /> oversYory vegetation, creating a "tunneled enclosure." These types of environments are <br /> ■ important to Orono's rural character, and have been identified as key areas to protect in <br /> the cities Rural Oasis Study. <br /> � Additional design characteristics which add to the rural feel of the development include a <br /> i lack of concrete curbs, narrow streets, and secluded home sites which are screened <br /> from the new Highway 12 with vegetation at the rear and a berm planted with vegetation <br /> � , in the front. <br /> � Ecological Storm Water Management <br /> a The proposed plan will create a multi-cell treatment approach to the design of the storm <br /> water management system. Storm water runoff from roadways and a portion of the <br /> � home sites will be directed through several biofiltration facilities (rain gardens), a <br /> proposed pond, and eventually overflowing to existing Wetland #1. <br /> � <br /> � These biofiltration facilities and pond provide opportunities for sedimentation and <br /> pollutants to be filtered prior to release into the existing wetland. Proposed narrow <br /> � streets and no curbs on the roadways will also improve the function of the overall storm <br /> water management system by increasing the opportunities for storm water to infiltrate in <br /> ■ the groundwater before entering the biofiltration facilities. <br /> � The facilities will be planted with a palette of native plant material, and material which <br /> can withstand a variety of hydrologic conditions from intermittent standing water to <br /> ` periods of drought. The rain water gardens will contribute to improve the ecological . <br /> health of the site by providing additional wildlife habitat and a natural filtration system for <br /> , storm water runoff. <br /> , 4.0 Conclusion <br /> � The Orono Villas site does not contain incredibly high quality wetland or woodland areas. <br /> Much of the site has degraded over time due to past land uses. From a natural <br /> � resources standpoint these areas are valuable to protect, and contain opportunities to <br /> improve the overall ecological value of the site. By following the preceding General <br /> i Conservation Design Principles the goal of preservation and improvement of the site's <br /> S natural resources may be achievable. <br /> c <br /> � Landform Conservation Design Principles <br /> Orono Villas Orono,MN <br /> � -3- <br /> � <br />