HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 -5th Addition Landscape Plan Review 2019-03-29
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To: Ken Roberts, City of Lake Elmo Planning Director
From: Lucius Jonett, Wenck Landscape Architect
Date: March 29, 2019
Subject: City of Lake Elmo Landscape Plan Review
Easton Village 5th Addition, Review #1
Submittals
5th Addition Landscape Plans, dated 03/06/2019, received 03/13/2019.
Location: Southwest quadrant of the intersection of Manning Avenue North & Union Pacific
Railroad, Lake Elmo, MN
Land Use Category: Low Density Residential
Surrounding Land Use Concerns: None
Special landscape provisions in addition to the zoning code: None
Tree Preservation:
A tree survey/preservation plan has been previously submitted, including a tree inventory
showing individual trees that are to be saved. This plan was approved as part of the
original Preliminary Plat.
A tree preservation plan has been provided and previously approved allowing the
replacement caliper inches to include the use of ornamental trees, deciduous and coniferous
shrubs.
Landscape Requirements:
The landscape plans are generally consistent with the previously approved preliminary plat
and phases 1 – 4. There have been some changes to the locations and species of street
trees along the roads, a reduction of plantings around the perimeter of the gas distribution
station, and an increase of plantings along the railroad tracks.
5th Addition Qty % Composition
Deciduous Shade Tree 88 55% >25% required
Coniferous Tree 56 35% >25% required
Ornamental Trees* 16 10% <15% required
Tree Count 160
*Ornamental Trees, Deciduous shrubs and Coniferous shrubs
were included in totals
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo March 29, 2019
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The landscape plans do meet the minimum compositions of required trees:
• At least 25% of the required number of trees shall be deciduous shade trees
• At least 25% of the required number of trees shall be coniferous trees
• Up to 15% of the required number of trees may be ornamental tree
A. A landscape plan has been submitted that does not include all requirements.
1. The landscape plan does not include required City standard notes and details.
2. All utilities and pavements are not shown on the landscape plan to review for tree
placement conflicts.
B. The landscape plan does not consistently meet the landscape layout requirements:
1. Per typical Right of Way layout, place boulevard trees 5’ from back of curb when
sidewalk or trail is present, 8’ from back of curb when no sidewalk or trail is
present.
C. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping – The development does not include interior parking
lots.
D. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping – The development does not include perimeter
parking lots.
E. Screening – The landscape plan does provide noise separation and screening from the
railroad.
Findings:
1. The increase of plantings along the railroad tracks is encouraged.
2. The reduction of plantings shown around the perimeter of the gas distribution station will
not create open views from the homes on those lots to the distribution station. There are
many existing trees on the Natural Gas Company property, not shown on the Easton
Village plans. Reviewing Washington County GIS, the chain link fence and distribution
station footprint is central on the property and surrounded by several rows of trees; all
on the Northern Natural Gas Company property.
3. Several trees are shown over driveway pavement and need to be relocated. See
attached figure highlighting the conflicts.
4. A few trees are placed within 10’ of storm sewer utilities and need to be relocated to
provide 10’ from tree trunk to utility pipes.
5. Water and sanitary sewer utilities to the homes are not shown on the landscape plans
and need to be included to show any tree placement conflicts.
6. Tree layout does not consistently match the typical ROW layout with boulevard trees 5’
from back of curb when sidewalk is present and 8’ from back of curb when no sidewalk
is present.
7. City standard details are not used for planting details.
Ken Roberts
Planning Director
City of Lake Elmo March 29, 2019
3
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Recommendation:
It is recommended that the conditions of approval include submitting a revised landscape
plan showing the water and sanitary sewer utilities, including City standard details, and
adjusting the tree layouts to resolve the conflicts noted in the findings above.
Sincerely,
Lucius Jonett, PLA (MN)
Wenck Associates, Inc.
City of Lake Elmo Municipal Landscape Architect