04-17-2017 Planning Commission Packet

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Tree Community Identification Identification of tree communities present on site and tree condition were documented by ISG staff during a December 19, 2016 site visit. According to the City of Orono's significant tree stand definition, one significant tree stand was observed along the northern property boundary (Area 1). According to the city of Orono MLCCS, the stand is made up of maple-basswood. During the site visit, basswood, green ash, and boxeider were observed to be present and in moderate condition in the existing stand. The proposed site layout or construction efforts will not affect this stand (Area 1). A line of planted silver maples is located in the center of the project area and runs north/south (Area 2). Sixteen silver maples were planted in a straight line and range in size from 7-11 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). With the proposed site layout, nine of these silver maples will be removed. The visual structural condition of the silver maple row ranges from fair to good. Some signs of physical damage were observed, most likely caused by wind or storm damage. Scattered trees were found along the edges of the property and near Lake Minnetonka. These species Included white oak, red oak, eastern cottonwood, American elm, basswood, silver maple, walnut, and black willow.The white oaks appeared to be in good condition and were the largest of trees in the upland area ranging from 5-40 inches DBH. Black willows and cottonwoods were observed in the northeast corner near the edge of Lake Minnetonka and ranged in size from 30-55 inches DBH. Wetland Delineation A wetland delineation was conducted in 2011 by Svaboda Ecological Resources, however a report is not on file with the Local Government Unit (LGU) Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD). The developer has proposed to conduct a wetland delineation during the growing season in the spring of 2017. The delineated wetland line is expected to be in close proximity to the delineated line of 2011. The project area consisted of one wetland along the edge of Lake Minnetonka. ''opography The topography of the subject parcel was surveyed by Gronberg &Associates, Inc. and is depicted on the attached survey map (Appendix B). Property Identification The subject property was identified as Other Natural and Semi-Natural Communities according to the conceptual greenway corridors on Figure 9 of the Orono Natural Resources report. No rare plant communities were observed on site, and were not identified on Map 3A-5. The lack of quality vegetation species and the predominance of low quality, non-native and invasive species found throughout the subject property suggests that no management and/or protection of existing plant community's will be required. Frenzel Addition 800 North Arm Drive, Orono, MN Page 3