10/27/2004 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Conservation Development Planning City of Lino Lakes Reducing the Extent of Impervious Surfaces and Size of the Development Footprint To preserve as much natural open space as possible, the development size and scale was reduced to the smallest possible footprint while still meeting the Developer's marketability and economic requirements. This includes reducing the roadway widths from 32' to 28' to minimize the extent of hard surfaced areas. The roadway right -of -way is also reduced to 50' Flexibility on the front yard setback is also proposed to reduce the overall size of lots and increase the size of the conservation area. Currently, a 30' setback is required. The plan allows this to be reduced to 25', although the Developer will often be at or near the 30' mark on many lots. The flexibility is provided for instances where it is mutually beneficial to do so and where the setback does not interfere with parking in driveways. Restore /Enhance On -Site Ecological Systems The development proposal includes restoring and enhancing on -site ecological systems in a couple of ways: • Through the use of natural infiltration systems to manage stormwater (as defined below). This ensures that contaminants associated with hard surface stormwater runoff are trapped before they reach on and off -site surface and groundwater systems. • Through restoration of degraded ecological systems both during development and as part of the long -term stewardship program (as defined below). Note that the City staff and Rice Creek Watershed District representatives have taken the lead role in working with the Developer to prepare a natural resources plan for the site. This approach was used to ensure that natural resource restoration and management efforts that occur on the site are in sync with long -range City and watershed district practices in this regard. Protect Off -Site Ecological Systems Through Increased Buffering / Maintain Natural Buffer Between Established and New Developments As the previous illustrations define, the extent of buffering proposed under the final conservation development plan (Exhibit C) is significantly greater than the other plans. From an ecological perspective, the increased size of the buffers on the north, west, and east sides offer greater protection of high quality off -site ecological systems. From an adjacent property perspective, the buffers on the west side provide a substantial separation between existing homes and the new ones in this development. Ensure Long -Term Natural Resource Stewardship The development proposal includes a stewardship program and fund agreement that will ensure that all lands within the conservation easement will be perpetually managed and maintained as natural areas. The program will be funded through an endowment established by the Developer, along with annual fees paid by homeowners. The following outlines estimated* funding levels over a 20 year time horizon: Endowment Fund: Initial desired investment *: $100,000 (investment made by the Developer.) Estimated interest per year *: $4,000 at 4% and $8,000 at 8% Yearly Homeowner's Assoc. Fees* $5,700 ($100 /year per lot) Total available each year (approx.) *: $9,700 to $13,700, depending on interest rates. Value of fund over 20 year horizon: $194,000 to $274,000 ** ** Note: Funding levels are estimates and subject to some adjustments as the project is finalized. * Does not include a built -in reinvestment factor that stipulates reinvesting 10% of the interest earned each year and 5% of the yearly association fees. Over 20 years, the total value would go up considerably if this reinvestment was factored in. Brauer & Associates, Ltd. Additional value: $40,000 budget for initial restoration work in the conservation easement during development. (The extent of this work will be defined as part of final development package. It will include work associated with natural infiltration systems, restoring native plant communities to disturbed areas during construction, and ecological restoration work on select natural areas within the easement as defined by City staff and Developer as part of development agreement.) Total value of endowment fund and related ecological stewardship: $234,000 to $314,000 (over 20 year horizon)