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Landscape Plan Review Memo – CEF Community Solar – February 28, 2023 <br /> <br />2 <br />o Details and cross sections of all required screening have been provided, and the plan <br />exceeds the required number of trees; however, the tree species selected are not spaced <br />appropriately to optimize both health/vigor and screening, and should be adjusted as <br />follows. Where there is a single row of evergreens (regardless of whether it is backed by <br />shrubs): <br /> Space White Fir 16’ on center <br /> Space Norway Spruce 25’ on center <br /> Space Black Hills Spruce 16’ on center <br /> Ensure that no shrubs will grow within 6’ of tree trunks. This will likely mean <br />reducing the double row of shrubs to a single row around each tree trunk along <br />Lake Elmo Avenue for a certain diameter. <br />o If the project changed the proposed wood fence with wire mesh to a more opaque design <br />along Lake Elmo Ave and 50th, tree spacing could be reduced. <br />o To minimize views into the site by drivers traveling north on Lake Elmo Avenue, wrap the <br />evergreen tree row that runs south along Lake Elmo Avenue around the corner of the <br />fencing, extending it west for at least 70’ (3 Norway Spruce, or 5 White Fir/Black Hills Spruce). <br />o The landscape plan does not meet the required tree composition requirements; however, <br />given the proposed use and the desire to maximize screening, I am comfortable waiving <br />this requirement, as deciduous trees would not provide adequate screening. <br />General Notes: <br />• I am concerned with the proposed planting of White Fir (3) and Black Hills Spruce (2) within the <br />wetland on the northeast corner of the property. Please replace these trees with Northern <br />White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) spaced 12’ on center, and update the planting plan and <br />legends accordingly. <br />Recommendation: <br />• In order to be approved, the plans must be revised as listed above, including: <br />o Providing provisions for irrigation <br />o Revising the planting plan and planting legends as noted to achieve the desired <br />screening requirements and ensure adequate survival of the plants selected <br />Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. <br /> <br />Sarah Evenson, PLA (MN) <br />City of Lake Elmo Municipal Landscape Architect | P: (262) 391-7653 | E: Sarah@hkgi.com