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proposed expansion. A landscaping plan has been submitted (Attachment 3D-4). The southern edge of the property near the proj ect area currently has a six to eight foot high berm with 30 mature trees. The applicant is proposing to remove the entire berm and relocate the existing trees to the south side of the expanded parking lot. Due to the small remaining setback (8.72 feet) between the lot line and the edge ofthe parking lot, there would not be sufficient space to effectively relocate all of the trees onto the Celestica side of the property line. Therefore, the applicant is proposing to relocate the trees across the property line to 1987 Gateway Boulevard. Although the adjacent property is legally separate, it is under the same ownership as the Celestica property. The applicant, in conjunction with the property owner, is proposing to create a landscape easement to protect the newly landscaped area from future development. This proposal would provide essentially the same amount of vegetative screening before and after the expansion, assuming trees survive the transition. Relocating the trees to the adjacent property makes this application somewhat unique. As noted above, the adjacent property is currently owned by the same company, but that may not be the case in the future. Relocating the trees to the adjacent property could create some long-term management challenges for the City and the property owners. Staff did consider the option of splitting some property from 1987 Gateway Boulevard and attaching it to 4300 West Round Lake Road. Unfortunately, that would probably cause the 1987 Gateway Boulevard to become nonconforming. It may be worthwhile exploring other tree relocation options that keep some or all of the trees on the subject property and, where appropriate, within the remaining eight foot parking lot setback. One option may be to eliminate some of the proposed parking stalls along the southern property line to create landscaping peninsulas or islands with relocated or new trees. Although only 450 parking stalls are needed according to the applicant and Zoning Code, the proposal includes 482 parking stalls. Thirty-four ofthe proposed stalls are along the southern property line. Eliminating some of the stalls along the southern property line would reduce the intensity of the setback encroachment and slightly increase the landscaped area of the lot. However, limiting the parking expansion to 450 spaces would effectively limit employment expansion possibilities for Celestica. If Excel would permit additional trees under the power lines on the western (front) side of the property, some of the trees could be moved near Round Lake Road to provide more trees near the road. Currently, there are very few trees along Round Lake Road in front of Celestica compared to the other properties. There may also be room to relocate some of the trees to the southeastern part of the property. While some ofthe trees could be relocated to other spots on the property, some landscaping should remain between the two properties along the southern lot line. City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meetingfor June 6, 2007 \lMetro~inet.us\ardenhi//s\Planning\Planning Cases\2007\07-010 Celestica CUP Amendment (PENDING)\060607 - PC Report - Celestica CUP & Variance. doc Page 7 of 13