02-19-2013 Planning Commission Packet

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submitted I�ES memo). This area of the tree stand contains mature native trees and provide hlbitat for animals. Additionally, the signifcant tree stand dominated hy white pine along the western property line would be beneficial to preserve as it provides bird habitat and 1 n�tural screen to the adjacent property. (5) Protection of existing wetlands, including augmentation of buffers, mitigation of impacts, and enhancement of degraded systems � The existing on-site wetland �vill i�ot be impacted. Furthermore it will have an �mdisturbed buffer along the entire wetland edge. Eaistinb wetland buffer on the site has a continuous dense layer of perennial �rasses that have been unbroken for at least 10 consecutive years. Buffer adjacent to V\letland 1 will not be dishirbed Uy constructioi� activities; therefore, no buffer augmentation or enhancement is needed. The wetland buffer will be protected under an easement. (6) Justification and mitigation of any negative impact to ecological communities. "Negative impact" includes any modification to a lower level of ecological community quality, as described by the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (M-34X Modifiers); The proposed development of the site will not result in any ne�ative impact to ecolo�ical communities (i.e. no modifcation to a lower level of ecolobical community quality as described by the MLCCS M-34X modifier; City Code Sec. 78-1635(6)). The home lots that will be located near or within the soutlleast mlple basswood forest will lilcely be located close to the roadway wher.e the hibhest concentration of cornmon buckthorn and diseased trees were observed. (7) Maintenance of ecological connections through site design, as shown on the Orono Natural Resource Inventory; No ecological connections will be severed hy the proposed project. The southeast porlion of the site is shown as part of a potential greenway corridor. The mljority of this portion of the site will be untouched by the project. It is likely that the Ilome to be constructed within tl�is part of the site wil l be located near the roadv��ay (northwest part of tl�e southeast woodland area). Furthennore, the home will likely be within woodland area that needs to have many diseased, dead trees, and common buckthorn removed. (8) Maintenance and protection of existing positive views, and mitigation of any existing or proposed negative views using appropriate measures such as site layout, screening, building desib and coloration, etc.; and ` There is a distant view of the North Ann of Lalce Minnetonlca from the very northern � part of the site. No homes will be located between this area (which will become a roadway) and the aforementioned view. Additionally, the Wachman parcel is located lower on the landscape than adjacent properties to the north which currently have a lalce