Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 8, 2019 7 <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman questioned if planting islands would be added in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski commented the plan would be to leave this lot as is without planting islands. <br />He reported at some point in the future when the lot is resurfaced, planting islands would be <br />added. <br /> <br />Commissioner Subramnian asked if any alternate parking plans had been considered such as a <br />parking ramp to eliminate the need to remove trees. He stated he would like to see nature and <br />trees preserved. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski indicated a parking ramp would be too costly for the school district. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth commented further on the planting islands and stated he understood <br />the school was currently under parked by 100+ spaces. He recommended the applicant be <br />required to install planting islands throughout the proposed parking areas that meet or exceed the <br />required quantity of islands, design specifications and a minimum of one tree per island, which in <br />whole or in part compensates for the caliper inch deficiency in the mitigation plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski stated he appreciated this feedback and explained the school could aspire to this <br />recommendation. He reported the City Ordinance does not have language that addresses the <br />maximum number of trees that can be removed. Rather, it states 10% can be removed without <br />replacement and has an aggressive replacement plan. He noted the school district would have an <br />aggressive tree replacement plan. He indicated it was the school districts intent to not disturb the <br />pavement across the street given the expense for the stormwater management on this property. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth explained that the planting island trees would make a significant dent <br />in the mitigation shortage that currently exists in the landscaping plan and the compensation <br />owed to the City would be less. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski discussed the tree replacement plan noting the placement of some trees was still <br />being negotiated with staff as it may not make sense to plant an additional 500 trees on the site. <br />He indicated it would be difficult for the school to have full use of its fields if 500 trees were <br />required. For this reason, the school district would be making a payment to the City in lieu of the <br />tree replacement requirement. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund asked why the lacrosse field was placed the way it was by the school <br />district. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski explained this site was challenged for green space. He reported the proposed <br />configuration would allow for an extra football practice field in the fall. <br /> <br />Chair Gehrig commented the Planning Commission was tasked with considering the zoning <br />regulations for a property. He discussed the location of the stormwater pond to the north and <br />asked why this pond was added. <br /> <br />Mr. Aplikowski stated this stormwater pond has been on the school districts plan but noted the <br />cost to acquire the land was higher than anticipated. This meant the school district had less <br />money for the remainder of the project. He apologized to staff for the late changes made to the