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Planning & Zoning Board February 12, 2003 Page 12 DRAFT MINUTES Wetlands. Three designated wetlands are located within the central area of the property and comprise a significant portion of the site. Such wetlands are considered a site amenity and obviously influence the configuration of the development. As required by ordinance, a wetland mitigation plan has been submitted for review. The proposed development is subject to Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) approval. To date, comments from the District regarding the acceptability of the project have not been received. The applicant is however, in the process of coordinating the project with the Watershed District. To date however, the City has no information regarding the Watershed District review. To be noted is that the upland area of the site cannot be substantiated until such time as the wetland areas have been verified by the Watershed District. As a condition of PDO approval, all conditions imposed by the Watershed District must be satisfied. Greenways. The concept plan illustrates a series of interconnecting eight foot wide bituminous trails. While the inclusion of the trails in considered positive, it would seem appropriate to extend the east/west trail segment beneath the power easement to the west to connect to Sunset Road. The acceptability of the trailways in fulfilling the greenway directive of the Comprehensive Plan should be subject to comment and recommendation by the Park Board. Park Dedication. As shown on the Parks /Open Space Plan, a significant portion of the subject property is to be dedicated as public park land. Specifically, the concept plan provides 22.5 acres of gross public park land, 7.3 acres of which is contiguous upland. To be noted is that the upland acres of parkland cannot be substantiated until such time as the wetland areas have been verified by the Watershed District. The integration of such park areas responds to a specific directive of the Comprehensive Plan of providing a greenway in the area. While the inclusion of such park land is considered positive, an assurance should be made that problems do not result from the combination of private and public park ownership. Of specific concern is that the primary east/west trailway through the property be available to all park users (regardless of private and public ownership). Tree Preservation. According to the applicant, a significant amount of existing tree massings in the southern portion of the site are to be preserved. While the existing conditions map identifies generalized tree massings, a specific tree inventory has not, to date, been submitted. The Subdivision Ordinance does not specifically mandate the submission of a tree inventory, nor has the Environmental Board requested such a submission. Easements. The subdivision design is responsive to the 90' electrical easement and 60' gas easement that traverse the property. As shown on the submitted plan, a trail has been DRAFT MINUTES