06-25-2018 Council Meeting Packet

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9 Tree Inventory Report prepared by Carlson McCain dated June 15, 2018 identifies 1,151 significant trees on site and 950 will be saved. The Tree Preservation Plan identifies the basic use area and environmentally sensitive areas. There are 201 trees within these areas proposed for removal. This requires 138 replacement trees for mitigation. The developer and Environmental Coordinator shall determine the best location for these replacement trees. The Environmental Coordinator also reviewed the Tree Preservation Plan and made suggestions for removal of hazardous or unhealthy trees. There are 14 non-significant trees proposed for removal. No mitigation is required for these trees. Landscaping Boulevard trees are required at the rate of one (1) tree per lot frontage for single family. There are 61 single family lots and 105 boulevard trees are proposed which is compliant with the ordinance. Open area landscaping standards required 1 large tree and 3 large shrubs per 2,000 sf. Per the Landscape Plan, there is 449,471 sf of open area requiring 224 overstory trees and 673 large shrubs. Desirable existing trees may be used to fulfill open area landscape requirements. The Environmental Coordinator shall detail the locations where open area mitigation trees shall be planted. Special attention will be made to preserve and/or create a landscape buffer along the west side of the development abutting the residential properties along Wood Duck Trail. A 15 foot wide landscape buffer has been provided along CSAH 14 (Main Street) outside of the existing 100 foot wide private utility easement and is contained in an outlot that will owned and maintained by a homeowner’s association (HOA). A 6 foot high privacy fence is proposed along Lot 1, Block 7 that will provide screening along CSAH 14. Shrubs and plantings are provided along the exterior side of the fence. Landscaping shall be allowed in the drainage and utility easements covering the 15 foot wide landscape buffer area in Outlot E and Outlot F. Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) As previously noted, in 2006 a mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was prepared for the original Nature’s Refuge concept because the proposed 278 housing units exceeded the 250 housing unit threshold. The EAW thoroughly analyzed potential impacts to wetlands, rare plant and animal species, floodplain, water quality, noise, traffic and archeology. It was determined the project did not have the potential for significant environmental effects and the Council passed Resolution No. 07-06 making a Negative Declaration on the Need for an EIS. The scope and size of the current proposed Nature’s Refuge (61 housing units on 95 gross acres) is much smaller than the original 2006 proposal (278 housing units on 232 gross acres). An EAW is not required for the current proposed Nature’s Refuge because the 62 housing units do not exceed the 250 housing unit threshold.