10/30/2013 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Because of the unique nature of the area, staff has recommended and the applicant is proposing to rezone the property to Planned Unit Development (PUD). The PUD process allows for flexibility in site design which aids in the City's attempt to maximize the conservation of land and open space. SITE CHARACTERISTICS Soils Soils in the WMC are very unique. Many banded soil formations in these areas of the Anoka County sand plain, particularly on the southern part of the Saddle Club site, support rare plant species. These plants, for a large part, are located in hydric soils buffering wetlands (See attachment for soils map). The Iw and SoA soils on the map are hydric. Buffer areas are required in the WMC. The buffer area along WMC's must average 50 feet. Since the developer is able to grade in the buffer areas, it is recommended and should be required that all top soils removed from the buffer areas be returned to the same site as much as possible after grading is done. The probable seed bank in these soils cannot be purchased in a store and are a very valuable resource on this development property. Land Cover The Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) is included as an attachment. The MLCCS describes the site as a diversity of different wetland and woodland type features. The site may be choked -out by reed canary grass and opportunistic Aspen encroaching into wetland areas, but does however have the ecologic signatures of soil and hydrology to have a viable diverse native seed bank available. This seed bank most likely has rare plant species in it. For instance, a few hundred meters away is the Preserve conservation development that has rare orchids and bulrush identified on the site. Rare and Unique Resources Because some of the property (particularly the southern part of the property) falls in a WMC area in the Anoka County Sand Plain, and because the ecological characteristics of this parcel have rare plant potential, a rare plant inventory was required of the site. The applicant contracted with Emmons and Oliver Resources (EOR) to perform an inventory for rare plants on the site. This inventory is included as an attachment. EOR did not find any Minnesota listed rare plants. However, it is very likely that several Threatened and Endangered plant species exist in seed -bank areas of the corridor. There are registered rare plants in the conservation area of the Preserve development a few hundred meters away. The soils and hydrologic habitat in the Preserve development are the same as in the Saddle Club. 2 • • •