HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5 - Attachments Pollinator Preserve at Homestead
Proposal to City of Lake Elmo Park Commission
from Homestead HOA, Lake Elmo
April 151h, 2015
resources. Based on this report, homeowners voted to approve specific plans for native
restoration and water quality improvements. All 18 homeowners agreed to yearly
assessments for three years to fund this work. In addition to funding the improvement
plan, homeowners have given hundreds of hours of volunteer time toward this effort.
We are very engaged and committed to complete our master plan.
Cohesive Landscape Will Preserve over 16 Acres of Pollinator-Friendly Open Space
At the November, 2014 Park Commission meeting, landscape architect Stephen Mastey
presented the Homestead's concept master plan for out lots. Extensive conversation,
research, and planning have gone into creation of these concept plans in order to:
1) Create a cohesive look throughout the neighborhood that showcases the
historic barn and exemplifies agrarian and pre-agrarian themes
2) Use native plantings for conservation of habitat and for water quality
3) Remain naturalistic and low-maintenance
4) Exemplify MN Land Trust conservation values
5) Exemplify stewardship of open space that is safe and advantageous for
pollinators
For all of these reasons, our preference is that Lot B become a native wildflower prairie
interspersed with native trees so that it seamlessly blends with Lot C and coordinates
with the prairie meadows recently installed in Lot A and next to the barn.
MN Land Trust-Approved Design
MN Land Trust approved the Homestead's master plan concept as it pertains to Lots A
through C as being consistent with conservation values.
Homestead's Caretaking and Recent Investment in Lot B
As part of Homestead's commitment to open space improvements and in anticipation
of finishing our cohesive master plan, we jump started Lot B improvements. Ecosystem
management in the northern portion of Lot B and within the right of way area includes:
buckthorn removal, management of invasive and non-native plants, tree trimming, tree
and bush planting, pollinator-friendly native seeding, irrigation changes, as well as
professional design services and professional survey work. These recent efforts funded
by the Homestead HOA total approximately$30,000.
Public Benefit
We recognize and respect the public benefit that the large field area of the Homestead
offers. It is referenced in the conservation easement agreement in place with MN Land
Trust:
"The Protected Land has outstanding scenic qualities that can be enjoyed by the
public from Washington County Road 17 in the city of Lake Elmo."
It is our belief that the community of Lake Elmo will benefit from restoration of Lot B in
a naturalistic, low-impact, and beautiful way. Homestead believes this important public
benefit will be enhanced without signage or promotion of public access. Our point of
view is that the Homestead field will offer the public an ecologically correct, scenic
landscape to enjoy and appreciate for years to come.
Public Use Near HOA Property
Homestead believes that the fullest public benefit of the field is realized when it is one
harmonious open space. Our desire is to avoid landscaping or structures in Lot B that
could seem disjointed in the natural landscape of the field covering Lots B and C.
Because Lots B and C are designed to be seamless and cohesive, the public will not
recognize where city land ends and protected HOA property begins. On-site signage to
promote public use of Lot B is, in effect, the same as promoting public use of HOA-
owned Lot C. As a neighborhood, Homestead does not desire the liability, risk, or
responsibility associated with promoting access to Lot C.
Funding Request
The Homestead neighborhood respectfully requests that the city of Lake Elmo support
the direction we propose for Lot B by allocating park dedication funds toward creation
of a passive use park focused on bee-safe habitat and pollinator-friendly management
practices. Our neighbors are excited to complete our master plan. Cost sharing gives us
assurance that our investment of time and money is well-spent and in harmony with
the City of Lake Elmo's objectives.
Low-Maintenance Stewardship
Native, pollinator-friendly enhancements in Lot B are cost-effective to maintain over
time. Homestead continues to work with MN Native Landscapes to provide best
management practices in the field. Additionally, by not adding structures to Lot B, we
are able to avoid the expense that maintenance or replacement of structures might
require.
Supporting the Ideals of Lake Elmo
The Homestead neighborhood's original 1800s barn and open field space are nostalgic
elements that reflect Lake Elmo's identity and values. We are uniquely situated to share
views of the Homestead field with the public from Lake Elmo Avenue. We are excited
to enhance this experience with pollinator-safe, low-maintenance, and naturalistic
choices designed to preserve the Homestead field as a legacy for years to come.
Sincerely,
Forestry Committee of the Homestead Homeowners Association, Lake Elmo
Ellen Johnson
Jeffrey Kluge
Shelli Wilk
! PM1 ot.g y Map
Pollinator Preserve
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Owner of Lot B = City of Lake Elmo
City of Lake Elmo
Owner of Lots A & C = Homestead HOA
Conservation Easement 18a:
1997 MN Land Trust "Owner shall remain solely responsible for the
Conservation operations, upkeep, and maintenance of the
Easement & Protected Land"
Property Report
Homestead HOA Stewardship 2013 Completed Work
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• Field & tree maintenance since 1998
estimated at $9,200
• Lot B incorporated into unanimously approved
HOA Master Plan, 2011-present: * `
2013 improvements to a portion of Lot B
2015 project is ready to install
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REQUEST#1 r �.
2015 Proposed Work
• Homestead HOA requests City agreement to
install pollinator-friendly native prairie & trees
on Lot B that are cohesive with Lots A & C
• Plans for protected Lots A, B & C are approved
by MN Land Trust
• 2015 project budget for Lots B & C = $63,000
Benefits for City of Lake Elmo
Park Management: Public Benefits of Conservation:
• First Bee-Friendly project following up on City (1)
of Lake Elmo resolution Legacy investment:
• No resources required of Public Works to
survey, design, prep, install, or maintain Protected land with outstanding
-Shovel ready for spring 2015 scenic and natural qualities can be
-Lowmaintenanceplantings enjoyed by the public for years to
-No structures to maintain or upgrade over time come
Public Benefits of Conservation: Public Benefits of Conservation:
(2) (3)
Passive use park is aligned with the Useful model for pollinator preserves
values of MN Land Trust in other Lake Elmo neighborhoods
Public Benefits of Conservation: Public Benefits of Conservation:
(4) (5)
Homestead HOA offers to coordinate Homestead HOA committee is
with City of Lake Elmo to host an resource for other grass roots
Open House on site one day during initiatives to improve neighborhood
Pollinator Week ecology & bee-friendly stewardship
Pollinator Goals Total pollinator-friendly space at Homestead
will increase to over 16 acres
• Make sure something is blooming at all times
from March —October
• Choose a variety of colors ``%
• Choose for nectar, pollen, larval development,
shelter, foraging7,;,;
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• Bees aren't the only pollinators; also moths,
butterflies, hummingbirds
REQUEST#2 REQUEST#3
EQIP Grant for Pollinators Funding Request
• Homestead HOA requests permission to apply Homestead HOA respectfully requests city
for USDA's EQIP Grant for pollinators as funds be allocated toward a passive use park
stewards of Lot B focused on bee-safe habitat and pollinator-
• As a city, Lake Elmo is not eligible to apply friendly management practices on the City of
• Lot B grant value = $2,348 Lake Elmo's Homestead Lot B. creating
Total grant value (Lots B & C) _ $7,769 Pollinator Preserve at Homestead
• Application due May 22"d
In full partnership, ongoing Investment in Pollinator Preserve
maintenance will be pledged by
2011-2013 Planning& Prep(approximate) $ 8,580
Homestead HOA
20131mprovements $ 22180
If city funds are allocated to create Pollinator Preserve at 2015 Pollinator Preserve $ 16,050
Homestead,then Homestead HOA is committed to prep$2,000
provide pollinator-friendly management practices aligned pollinator seed mix$6,250
with Lake Elmo's bee-friendly resolution and with MN pine trees&irrigation$7,800
Land Trust conservation values for perpetuity. Supplemental Pollinator Habitat Plantings $ 9,865
7 Hawthorn and/or fruit trees$7,665
• 1998-2011 maintenance = approximately $9,200 mass ofbushesand/or vines$2,200
• Future maintenance = estimated at $2,500/year USDA EQIP Grant for Lot B $ (2,348)
TOTAL COST FOR LOT B $ 54,327
Summary of Homestead Requests Funding Options
Request#1 OPTION A=$16,050+future maintenance
2015 Pollinator Preserve
Agreement to install Ongoing Maintenance$2,500/year
Request#2 OPTION B=$25,915
Permission letter for USDA grant application 2015 Pollinator Preserve$16,050
Supplemental Pollinator Habitat Plantings$9,865
Request#3 All future maintenance by Homestead HOA
Recommendation to apply city funds toward
OPTION C=$54,327
Pollinator Preserve at Homestead Full funding:prep/2013 initial installation/2015 Pollinator Preserve
All future maintenance by Homestead HOA
PROTECTED
FOREVERth
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This land will remain forever
protected thanks to the w
cooperation of this landowner
and the Minnesota Land Trust.
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Golden-orange pollen basket on Honey bee