HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSU Wally Case - 10-19-2001 - Landscape Plan Review 1. 04V.
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CITY of ORONO
t 'tiH Municipal Offices
•
y Street Address: Mailing Address:
`9$EgH09' 2750 Kelley Parkway P.O. Box 66
Orono, MN 55356 Crystal Bay, MN 55323-0066
Mr. Wally Case
DSU
300 1St Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
October 3, 2001
RE: Landscaping Plan for Orono Woods Apartments
Dear Mr. Case:
In response to our recent phone conversation I am sending a copy of the landscaping plan for the
Orono Apartments. The Orono City Council will be reviewing a site plan for the Orono Woods
Apartments on October 22,2001. The Developer,Orono Ambar, has submitted a landscaping plan
for the apartment site. The property is located at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 12 and
Brown Road North.
Please review and comment on the proposed landscaping plan provided by the developer. I have also
included a copy of our landscaping standards for the RPUD zoning district for your files.
Do not hesitate to contact me at (952) 249-4623 should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
PC(AJ
Paul Weinberger
Zoning Administrator/Planner
Telephone(952)249-4600 • Fax(952)249-4616
www.ci.orono.mn.us
10/1,9/C1 11:38 FAX 612 337 5601 DSU, INC.
2001
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INCORPORATED
DATE: 19 October 2001
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TO: Paul Weinberger
Zoning Administrator/Planner
City of Orono
P.O.Box 66
Crystal Bay, MN 55323-0066
FROM: Wallace L.Case,ASLA
Landscape Architect/Planner
RE: Review—Landscape Plan LA-1 (Rev 9/19/01)
Orono Woods Apartments
Developer-Orono Ambar
Application#2640&2641
Dear Mr.Weinberger:
As requested,I have visited the site and reviewed the current zoning ordinance and landscape plan for
the proposed Orono Woods Apartment development. The following is a brief summary of my
comments.
Site
The landform slopes steeply from the north and west toward a highway storm pond located in the
southeast corner of the site at the intersection of Highway 12 and Brown Road N. The upper slopes
and adjacent hills are covered with a dense mixed woods. The woods includes sucessional growth
along with numerous types of volunteer deciduous and evergreen trees,and brush along the edges and
around the ponding area.
This woods and the strong landform currently serve as a dense buffer between the project site and the
existing Sugar Hills residential development to the north.
Landscape Plan
1. The plan shows a silt fence between the building and northern boundary. This line generally
describes the approximate grading and construction limits for the project and the approximate
preservation line for the existing woods. However,trees that are close to the grading limits
may need to be removed if too much of their root system is damaged by construction. In
addition,the larger trees remaining along this newly exposed edge will be especially
susceptible to wind throw.
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10/19/0? 11:38 FAX 612 337 5601 DSU, INC. [3j 002
The proposed wooded area to be preserved along the northern boundary varies in width from
approximately 125 feet in the west,to 25 feet in the center and 5 feet in the east. There is potential
for preserving a significant and effective wooded buffer from the center of the site to the western
boundary. If this project is approved,the construction limit should be field adjusted to avoid the
drip line of significant trees and woods and to maintain as wide a buffer as possible.
2. The minimum tree and shrub requirements of the zoning ordinance are as follows.
Overstory deciduous trees(Site perimeter 1795 feet/40=44.875)
45 overstory trees—14 evergreen trees= 31 deciduous overstory trees
Evergreen trees(45 overstory x 30%min= 13.5 evergreen trees) 14 evergreen trees
Ornamental trees(2 may substitute for 1 overstory to 25%) 0 ornamental trees
Shrubs(33,424 GFA building footprint/300= 111.4) 111 shrubs
The development proposes 73 overstory and evergreen trees,28 ornamental frees and 114 shrubs.
All trees and shrubs shown on the landscape plan meet the minimum sizes required by the
ordinance.The landscaping shown on the proposed landscape plan exceeds the minimum
ordinance requirement. In addition,the development may preserve approximately 1/3 acre of
existing woods.
3. There are 6 types of deciduous overstory, 5 types of evergreen and 6 types of ornamental trees
proposed with no single type comprising more that 50%of the total.This project meets the
ordinance requirement. While variety and diversity are desirable, we suggest that any additional
trees should be limited to one or two of the proposed genus/species to create a stronger sense of
order and harmony.
4. The proposed landscape plan also exceeds the minimum ordinance requirement for parking island
size and number of trees per surface parking spaces.
Landscape Design
1. The proposed design uses most of the new plantings to create buffers along the eastern two thirds
of the northern boundary,the east end of the building and between the parking areas and Highway
12. The proposed type and intensity of landscaping in these areas is appropriate. However,the
proposed plantings in the buffer along the northern boundary should be reviewed and adjusted
wherever feasible to facilitate preserving significant healthy trees or groups of trees and to ensure
that the buffer is adequate. In addition,the spacing and offset of the Colorado Blue Spruce may
need to be adjusted to provide adequate room for their long term development. The landscaping
in the parking islands and between the parking and Highway 12 will be effective.
2. The project and community would benefit from additional overstory and ornamental tree
plantings in several areas.
Additional overstory are needed along the north side of the drive serving the future development
to the west and along the north side of the parking lots to reduce the visual scale of the building,
provide canopy,and buffer the parking views from the upper units.
In addition,the eastern wing of the building and the retaining walls along the entry drive are
almost entirely exposed to view from Highway 12 and Brown Road N. This part of the building
and the community would benefit from planting additional overstory trees in the narrow
boulevard along the north side of the drive or above terraced walls south of the drive.If this is not
feasible,planting overstory trees in the boulevards along Brown Road N and Highway 12
becomes increasingly important for framing and buffering the views to and from the building.
10/19/01 11:38 FAX 612 337 5601 DSU, INC. [7]003
A few additional overstory or evergreen trees are needed on the north side of the building at the
angled junction of the western wing to provide buffering and privacy between the building wings.
A few additional ornamental trees may also be needed at various places along both sides of the
building between and adjacent to the unit decks to frame views and enhance privacy.
A low hedge,shrubs between the angled spaces,perennial strip or an architectural screen is
recommended to separate and buffer the east parking lot from the one-way exit drive. A low
hedge or architectural screen would require a minimum island width(bc to bc)of approximately
six to seven feet to accommodate the bumper overhangs.
3. Establishing a unified streetscape treatment including planting overstory deciduous trees in
boulevards along Highway 12 and Brown Road N is highly recommended for buffering the
traffic,framing and enhancing adjacent development,defining the pedestrian realm and creating a
more enjoyable and inviting entrance and route through the community. If this project is
developed,it will be important that the issues(utilities,roadway,walks and trails)and
opportunities for beginning the establishment of a unified streetscape be addressed.
General Comments
1. A north-south cross section that illustrates the building and its relationship to the landform,pond,
Highway 12,remaining woods,proposed landscape buffer and adjacent property to the north
should be provided.This section should be drawn to scale and located where the building is
closest to the northern property boundary.
2. Planting details should be submitted to the City for review at the appropriate time.
3. Areas to be seeded,sodded,or left/restored to a natural condition should be indicated on a plan.
4. The landscape plan notes indicate that an irrigation system will cover all landscaped areas. The
extent and coverage of the irrigation system should be indicated on the plan.Detailed plans should
be submitted to the City for review at the appropriate time.
If you have questions regarding these comments,or if I can be of further assistance,please call me at
612-339-3300.
DAHLGREN,SHARDLOW,AND UBAN,INC.
Wallace L.Case,ASLA
Landscape Architect/Planner