HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - 2019-11-11 Lake Elmo Independent Living Landscape Plan Review
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To: Ken Roberts, City of Lake Elmo Planning Director
From: Lucius Jonett, Wenck Landscape Architect
Date: November 11, 2019
Subject: City of Lake Elmo Landscape Plan Re-Review (11-11-2019)
Lake Elmo Independent Living Review Initial #1_Revised (10-18-2019)
Submittals
▪ Site Demolition (Tree Preservation) Plan, dated September 12, 2019, received
September 25, 2019.
▪ Landscape Plans, dated September 12, 2019, received September 25, 2019.
▪ Final PUD City Submittal, dated October 25, 2019, received November 7, 2019.
Location: East of Arbor Glen Senior Living (11020 39th Street) in Lake Elmo, MN
Land Use Category: Village Mixed Use
Surrounding Land Use Concerns: N/A
Special landscape provisions in addition to the zoning code: Screening is required
along the north property line per City code.
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo November 11, 2019
2
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Tree Preservation:
An existing conditions and site demolition plan showing tree survey, removal and
preservation plan has been submitted, including a tree inventory showing individual trees
that are exempt, removed and saved. The allowable tree removal limit is not exceeded;
therefore no mitigation plan or replacement trees are required.
Entire Site
Total Caliper Inches of Significant Trees On-Site: 1364.0 Cal Inches
Common Trees 1364
Conifer/Evergreen Trees 0
Hardwood Trees 0
Nuisance Trees 0
Significant Inches Removed On-Site 35 Cal Inches
Common Trees 35
Conifer/Evergreen Trees 0
Hardwood Trees 0
Nuisance Trees 0
30% Tree Removal Limits (Cal. Inches) Allowed Proposed
Subtract Common Tree Removals 409.2 35
Subtract Conifer/Evergreen Tree Removals 0 0.00
Subtract Hardwood Tree Removals 0 0
Removals in excess of 30% allowances
Removals in excess of 30% allowances 0.0 Cal Inches
Common Removals in Excess of 30% Allowance 0.0
Conifer Removals in Excess of 30% Allowance 0.0
Hardwood Removals in Excess of 30% Allowance 0.0
Common Tree Replacement Needed (1/4 the dia inches removed) 0.0 Cal Inches
Conifer Tree Replacement Needed (1/2 the dia inches removed) 0.0 Cal Inches
Hardwood Tree Replacement Needed (1/2 the dia inches removed) 0.0 Cal Inches
Common Tree Replacement Required @ 2.5" per Tree 0 # Trees
Conifer Tree Replacement Required @ 3" per 6' Tall Tree 0 # Trees
Hardwood Tree Replacement Required @ 2.5" per Tree 0 # Trees
A. Tree replacement is not required because less than thirty (30) percent of the diameter
inches of significant trees surveyed will be removed.
B. Tree replacement calculations follow the required procedure and are correct.
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo November 11, 2019
3
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Landscape Requirements:
The landscape plans meet the code required number of trees. The proposed landscape plans
show more than the code required tree quantities.
Master Plan Master
Plan
(Code Required) Proposed
Street frontage 430 Lineal Feet
Lake Shore 0 Lineal Feet
Stream Frontage 0 Lineal Feet
Total Linear Feet 430 Lineal Feet
/50 Feet = Required Frontage Trees 9 Trees
Development or Disturbed Area 223600 SF
Development or Disturbed Area 5 Acres
*5 = Required Development Trees 25 Trees
Interior Parking Lot Spaces* 35 Spaces
/10 = Required Parking Lot Trees 4 Trees
Perimeter Parking Lot Frontage Length 0 Lineal Feet
/50 = Required Frontage Strip Trees 0 Trees
Required Mitigation Trees 0
Required Number of Trees (**or***) 38
Total Trees to Date 56
*Residential development - mitigation replacement trees are in addition to landscape required tree counts.
** Commercial, mixed-use development - mitigation replacement trees can be included toward landscape
required tree counts.
1. A minimum one (1) tree is proposed for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage.
2. A minimum of five (5) trees are proposed to be planted for every one (1) acre of
land that is developed or disturbed by development activity.
Because the applicant is proposing to provide more trees than is required by code, the
landscape plans do not appear to meet the minimum compositions of required trees (up to
15% of the required number of trees may be ornamental). The proposed planting species,
quantity and composition all exceed City requirements.
Master Plan Qty %
Composition
Deciduous Shade Trees 24 43% >25% required
Coniferous Trees 20 36% >25% required
Ornamental Trees 12 21% <15% required
Tree Count 56
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo November 11, 2019
4
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A. A landscape plan has been submitted that does include all requirements.
B. The landscape plan does include the landscape layout requirements:
C. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping – The development does include interior parking lots.
1. At least 5% of the interior area of parking lots with more than 30 parking spaces
is devoted to landscape planting areas. The parking lot is measured at
approximatively 5,521 square feet and a planting bed measuring approximately
6,578 square feet separates the parking lot from the northern building. The
planting area is approximately 119% of the interior of the parking lot area.
2. The planting area includes 8 shade trees satisfying the minimum required tree
planting requirements for interior parking lots.
D. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping – The development does not include perimeter
parking lots.
E. Screening – Screening is required along the north property line per City code. The
landscape plan utilizes existing trees on the north edge of the property, preserves
existing trees on site as a buffer to the north property line and proposes additional tree
plantings to enhance the screening. The landscape plan meets screening requirements.
F. PUD Amenity Points Requested
1. Additional Open Space standards have not been met.
Approximately 44% of the site not occupied by buildings is landscape outdoor open
space (50% minimum required).
Approximately 44% of the landscape outdoor open space is contiguous (50%
minimum required).
2. Pedestrian Improvement standards have been met.
A site and building design has been provided that allows for accessible pedestrian
and/or bicycle access through and/or around the site.
Addition detail on any decorative materials, access control or lighting should be
provided.
3. Plaza standards have been met
The development has included a public square that is wholly enclosed by buildings, is
14,555 square feet (1,000 square foot minimum required).
4. Enhanced Landscaping standards have been met
• An enhanced Landscaping Plan has been provided that exceeds the
requirements of the Lake Elmo Design Standards Manual.
• The Landscaping Plan does detail a resource efficient irrigation system.
• The Landscaping Plan has been signed by a licensed landscape architect.
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo November 11, 2019
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5. Theming standards have not been met
• Theming elements consistent with the 2013 Lake Elmo Theming Project,
including but not limited to signage, fencing, landscaping, lighting and site
furnishings, have not been shown on the landscape plans or in the details.
Findings:
• Up to 15% of the required number of trees may be ornamental tree per city code.
Currently, the percentage of ornamental trees is too high. But the applicant has
elected to use Enhanced Landscaping amenity points as part of their PUD submittal
and has provided landscaping above and beyond City minimum requirements. Having
a higher percentage of ornamental trees should be allowed for this development.
• All utilities and pavements are now shown on the landscape plan to review for tree
placement conflicts. The previously marked 8 trees with potential utility conflicts
have been checked with the updated landscape plan with utilities and there are no
conflicts.
• The standard for the Pedestrian Improvement amenity requires trails, landscaping,
decorative materials, access control and lighting to create safe, clear and
aesthetically pleasing pedestrian facilities. A plan or details on any decorative
materials, access control or lighting should be provided.
• The standard for the Enhanced Landscaping amenity requires that the landscaped
areas should have a resource efficient irrigation system. A plan or details on how the
irrigation system will be designed to be resource efficient has been provided.
• The standard for the Theming amenity requires elements consistent with the 2013
Lake Elmo Theming Project. Addition detail on proposed signage, fencing,
landscaping, lighting and site furnishings, should be provided.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that conditions of approval include:
1. Submit a revised landscape plan including the following:
a. Provide additional detail on any decorative materials, access control or lighting
used for Pedestrian Improvements.
b. Provide a plan or additional detail on the theming elements (signage, fencing,
landscaping, lighting and site furnishings) used for Theming amenity points.
Sincerely,
Lucius Jonett, PLA (MN)
Wenck Associates, Inc.
City of Lake Elmo Municipal Landscape Architect