11-06-2023 Council Work Session Packet

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City Code Section 1007.044 Off-Street Parking does not address parking requirements for seasonal agricultural uses. Staff estimates the proposed 15,000sf 14,835sf parking area can accommodate approximately 30 parking spaces. Per the Traffic Study, peak traffic is estimated at 65 customers per hour. Per the applicant’s narrative, they may use a reservation system if necessary to limit the number of customers during the busiest times. Any additional overflow parking shall meet the 50ft setback as required per City Code Section 1007.059 and shall be at least 10ft from the wetland west of the parking area. City Code Section 1007.044(3)(h)8 requires an Emergency Vehicle Access with a minimum 20 foot wide driveway base for business uses. The site plan provides a 20ft Class 5 gravel driveway from Ash Street to the parking area; however, the Fire Division requires a fire apparatus road to extend within 150ft of all portions of the building. The site plan shall be has been revised to the Fire Division’s satisfaction. Grading Plan and Stormwater Management Stormwater management for the tree farm proposes to have the driveway and building areas as the only impervious surfaces for the site. The remaining areas, including the parking area (Grassprotecta), are proposed to remain as pervious surfaces. Drainage for the lot will continue to flow from east to west across the site to Cedar Lake. The gravel driveway and agricultural building create approximately 7,000 5,100sf impervious surface. The entire site is 39.87 acre. Stormwater ponds are not required if the impervious surface is less than 10,000sf. Public Utilities Public utilities are not required for the tree farm operations. Landscape Plan Landscaping standards will not apply to this agricultural use. The proposed plan does include ample coniferous trees to screen the site from the property to the south and to screen the driveway. Sod and Ground Cover Standards The Turf Establishment Plan calls for Mn DOT 25-131, a low maintenance, drought tolerant turf grass over the parking lot and any other disturbed areas. The seed will be installed under a GRASSPROTECTA reinforcement mesh to minimize rutting and wear to the grass. Category 2 wood fiber blanket is specified in the Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan. This must be has been updated to reflect the current Mn DOT category number with a note that the City requires natural net erosion blanket. 6