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Jessica Jagoe – City of Arden Hills December 23, 2022 Project Narrative – Lindey’s Prime Steakhouse, Arden Hills, MN Page 4 Tree Preservation / Landscape Plan Site Plan Review requires a Tree Preservation and Mitigation Plan for any significant tree 8 inches in diameter or greater, documenting preserved and removed, but disqualifies diseased or nuisance trees from being calculated. Of the numerous existing trees on site, the project is only removing 7 significant trees, with 3 of these being a non-qualifying nuisance tree, growing into the parking lot or under overhead utility lines. The remaining 4 trees are large in size, thus the removed caliper inches are significant. Due to existing tree canopy and limited landscape areas, the project is roughly only planting enough trees to accommodate around 25% of the requirement and asking for cash-in-lieu for the remaining requirements. Landscape Plan basically provides the required trees, shrubs, perennials, and ground cover for the project, as illustrated. The Owner may provide additional plantings in the future but are not shown. There are some landscape items, including NB 30’ wide buffer setback, that don’t meet the requirements and are better explained in the Neighborhood Business Modification Flexibility section for approval. Neighborhood Business Modification Flexibility Modifications to the requirements can be approved through the Site Plan Review if viewed favorably as to adhering to the spirit and purpose of the requirement intent and in the public’s best interest. The application is requesting four areas of modification flexibility. · Minimum 30’ Buffer Setback – Code for the Neighborhood Business district indicates a 30’ buffer yard that is landscaped with evergreen and/or deciduous trees to substantially screen the adjacent residential properties. Upon review, the driveway and related new parking was specifically located to minimize conflict with the roadway round-about design so this location is not fully controlled by the site, but has tried to angle the drive aisle and parking away from the adjacent residence properties. In particular, the parking areas were located to preserve the existing trees southeast of the restaurant and the parcel’s east perimeter. The new trash enclosure will be a nice addition as the dumpsters currently just sit out on the site and was specifically located to the east side of the driveway to set it away from the pedestrian/ADA/restaurant viewing area, while having the noisy doors and collection be on the non-residential side of the structure, thus creating a screen wall, per se. The east perimeter already has significant existing deciduous trees and vegetation, so adding a row of large shrubs to sit under the canopy and blend into the natural vegetation seems more appropriate for landscape screening. In review, it is our perspective that we have provided the intent of the landscape buffer and the public’s best interest through appropriate site and landscape design. · Minimum 35% Landscape Area – The code requires the Neighborhood Business district to provide a minimum of 35% of landscape area, but currently providing 29.6%. Generally, a commercial only property could provide the required greenspace, but since the existing parcel includes a house/garage, cottage, and related walkways, it takes up additional green area. Due to the numerous existing trees, additional landscape planting, and unique residential building area conditions, it is our perspective that the intent of a larger green area is adequately compensated through the overall landscape of the site. · Tree Mitigation – Due to very large existing trees being removed, the total replacement caliper inches equates to many trees. But due to limited planting areas, some replacement tree, and numerous existing trees, it is our perspective that packing in more trees is not the