08-24-2005 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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plans need to accommodate the City's tree replacement requirements of 30 caliper inches of tree planting per acre of disturbed land, not including building and parking lot areas. The total site area is approximately 24.7 acres. Of this, about 6.5 acres is being affected by the expansion, 4.0 acres of which is building and pavement. As a result, the Zoning Ordinance would require that the landscape plan include at least 75 caliper inches of tree planting, in addition to shrub, lawn, and other planting. This should be verified as a part of a final landscaping plan prior to occupancy of the expansion area. It should be noted that the bulk of the disturbed area is a result of extensive grading necessary to accommodate the new access road through a steeply sloped section of the site. The road cuts down through a hill from the new parking lot to County Road B2. It would be possible to limit the grading by considering the use of retaining walls along the sides of this road. More than 100 trees, many of which are 18 to 36 inch diameter oaks could be preserved in this way. The applicant should consider an alternative to the extensive regarding of the site. If the grading is determined to be necessary, much of the landscaping cover should be planned for this area. Summary and Recommendation Planning staff recommends approval of the PUD amendment, based on the following findings and conditions: 1. The plan layout is generally consistent with the approved concept PUD approved at the time of the original building construction. 2. The grading plan is modified, if possible, to reduce the amount of grading and tree removal necessary for the access road. 3. The applicants prepare a conceptual parking lot expansion plan for approval, in the event that the proposed parking supply is inadequate to serve actual demand. 4. The applicants prepare a final landscaping plan per Zoning Ordinance requirements for City review and approval prior to occupancy. 5. The requirements of the City Engineer are complied with. Pc: Kathy Glanzer Steve Westerhaus Lee Elfering Bob Burow, rb Architects, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, MN, 55120