01/25/1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• with the City's park and trail systems, including the future trail along the east side of Lake Drive. Tree lined boulevards serve as gateways and links to the development. They reinforce the positive image and serve to create distinctive corridors for buildings to front and people to walk along. Great care will be taken in the design to create and sustain a strong, pedestrian oriented environment. This is accomplished through the creative use of such streetscape elements as landscaping, walkways and lighting. Parking is ample and convenient, but, it is designed to serve multiple tenants by centering between buildings, allowing sharing. II. LANDSCAPING The Anoka County/Lino Lakes area is dominated by sandy soils and an existing tree cover of oaks in upland areas. For these reasons the landscapes plan will be dominated by oaks and other trees suitable for rapidly draining soils. All lawn and planted areas will be irrigated with the exception of areas planted in native grasses and wildflowers. The use of native grasses will be emphasized in the eastern portion of the site (near Wetlands 2 and 3), and along the I -35 corridor, and along infiltration areas. A tree survey of the site was performed that identified 308 larger diameter trees, of which 33 were Elms and Boxelders. The remaining 275 trees included, for the most part, Oaks with some Cedar, and a smaller number of other tree types. Tree preservation is recognized as a major concern of the City, yet it is also recognized that site lines are essential for retail development with some tree removal to facilitate an economical development being unavoidable and necessary. In view of the fact that replanting trees can mitigate tree removal, it is proposed that for each of the 275 identified trees (not including Elm or Boxelder) that is removed as part of the development, a 1 -for -1 tree replacement plan be provided. Replacement trees will include overstory trees with a minimum three -inch caliper, or deciduous trees having a minimum height of eight feet. A. Perimeter Landscaping Anoka County CSAH 23 & I -35W Treatment of the perimeter areas adjacent to the Interstate will consist of clusters of oaks with view corridors open to retail buildings and signage. The overstory canopy of oaks will be augmented with an understory of ornamental trees clustered in small groves. Clearly defined areas of native grasses and wildflowers will be used along the I -35 corridor and the eastern portion of the site. B. Service Areas Service areas will be screened with evergreen.