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16-3822 <br /> April 14,2016 <br /> Page 7 of 13 <br /> Tree and/or Woodland Impacts <br /> The area of the site being developed contains a number of mature hardwood trees of various <br /> condition. A majority of these are likely to be removed in order for the development to occur in <br /> the proposed configuration. Existing trees along Wayzata Boulevard are similarly at high risk, <br /> such that the existing level of screening between the highway and the proposed development will <br /> virtually disappear. In its place, applicants propose to provide vegetative screening, although <br /> grading plans suggest no berm or other visual/traffic noise screening is proposed. Finally, note <br /> that most of the trees along the edges of the landfill area have sprung up over the past 20-30 <br /> years and will remain as a buffer to the Highway 12 freeway. <br /> Archaeological Site Proximity <br /> Staff is unaware of any archaeological sites within the property; the applicant should contact the <br /> State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)to confirm. <br /> Lot Layout and Lot Standards <br /> The layout and shape of lots being proposed for this site is driven by a number of factors, some <br /> of which include: <br /> - location of wetlands and the narrow linear nature of the high ground; <br /> - busy arterial roadways to the immediate north, south and southwest; <br /> - a desire to provide single family homes at a density that necessitates minimal <br /> separation between homes; <br /> - a desire to orient the homes in a manner that provides views from multiple angles <br /> rather than the standard front/rear views of conventional row houses. <br /> - the need to accommodate off-street parking <br /> The applicants have proposed a plan that takes into account these factors. The resulting layout <br /> includes the following elements: <br /> - Site layout has two road entrances onto Wayzata Boulevard, plus a segment to the <br /> southwest for potential additional parking area, and to provide future access to a possible <br /> ("Phase 2") multi-family building. <br /> - Angled or 'z-shaped' lots that allow far additional outside views from within the <br /> dwelling units. A secondary result is that the driveways can become more elongated to <br /> allow for off-street parking of at least 2 vehicles within each lot. A potential downside is <br /> that driveways directly abut the neighboring residence parcel and aim headlights into <br /> windows likely to be located in the ends of some of those adjacent homes (see Exhibit J, <br /> Plan C main floor). <br /> - Rear Yard Setbacks. Eleven of the 27 units will have their rear yards facing Wayzata <br /> Boulevard. Most of these homes have been placed to have a 40-foot setback from the <br /> right-of-way of Wayzata Boulevard, where the RPUD standard is 50 feet. Traffic noise <br /> may be an issue with the primarily vegetative buffers proposed. The homes facing the <br /> wetlands appear to be set so that each would have at least a 10' mowable, walkable yard <br /> between the home and the wetland buffer. <br /> - Lot Widths and Side Setbacks. Many of the proposed building lots have a functional <br /> width of 40' rather than the 90' width RPUD standard. These lots are designed to <br /> maintain separation of 10' between buildings (5' side setbacks each side) which is <br /> necessary in order to accommodate the proposed density. Increasing the setbacks would <br /> likely result in fewer homes and a further reduction in development density. <br />