02-19-2013 Planning Commission Packet

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#13-3591 11 February 2013 Page 5 of 7 Access Roads, a minimum of a 26-foot wide paved road and a 96-foot diameter cul-de-sac is required, or the homes served must be equipped with fire suppression sprinklers. The applicant will need to address � how the City's standards and Fire Codes will be met. The developer will be required to submit maintenance covenants for recording with the plat which address on-going maintenance and upkeep of the private road. � Rural Oasis, Conservation Design &Woodland Impacts The property has an area of existing woods in the southeastern portion of the property and along the wetland edge. A row of trees has been established along the southern and western boundaries of the property. Tree preservation easements are proposed. The Rural Oasis Study and Conservation Design Master Planning process has been formulated to help determine on a case-by-case basis what natural values should be preserved. This project triggers the need for the developer to conduct and submit a conservation design plan. A Conservation Design Report dated February 6, 2013 has been conducted and submitted by Kjolhaug Environmental Services (KES)for review. The applicant via the KES memo indicates that invasive species are primarily identified in the southeast portion of the site. Because many of the invasive trees (and identified diseased or dying trees) are located in a potential building site the KES plan indicates that the removal of invasive species will be the responsibility of the individual land owner(s). Staff would comment that the most effective trigger for invasive species removal is at the time of development or platting. Invasive species removal, at least initially, should be the responsibility of the developer with on-going maintenance or removal falling on the homeowners association or individual property owners. The applicant has identified a significant tree stand in the southeast portion of the property (primarily the east half of proposed Lot 2) which is proposed to be protected via a tree preservation easement. The tree preservation easement is also proposed to extend along the perimeter of the entire property beginning at the south end of the wetland on the east and continuing around clockwise to the north end of proposed Lot 5. This tree preservation easement will protect the significant trees identified on proposed Lot 2 as sugar maple, some basswood, American elm, boxelder and ironwood as well as a stand of white pines on the western perimeter. A conservation easement is proposed at the north end of proposed Lot 1 where it abuts the Sims property. This easement may preserve lake views enjoyed from the Sims property. As part of the development the applicant/developer will be required to plant one shade tree for every 40 feet of road frontage. Staff suggests the shade trees be of a complimentary native species to offset the removal of dead/diseased trees and possibly healthy native trees from the building sites. � Wetlands on Site and/or Impacted According to the submitted survey there is a 30,896 square foot (0.7 acre) Manage 2 wetland on the property. Establishment of wetland buffers and buffer setbacks will be triggered fpr the lots containing wetlands; a Manage 2 wetland requires a 25-foot native vegetated buffer and a 20-foot structural setback from the buffer. The applicant is proposing a 30-foot vegetated buffer with a 25-foot structural setback from the buffer. This exceeds the City's requirements. The wetland has been delineated, reclassified through the MnRAM process and approved by the MCWD. The City will require a Flowage and Conservation Easement over all wetlands and buffers designated on the site. Wetland buffer