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2.2 Representatives from Lake Ridge have met with planning and engineering staff to discuss the proposal for a parking lot expansion on the north side of the Lake Ridge property which will add approximately 60 spaces. A City Council excavation permit hearing and action (as per Section 705) is required because the property is located in a commercial developed area (B 1 Limited Business District) and more than 10,000 cubic yards of material is proposed to be removed from the site. 2.3 In the past (and again on May 17) the applicant and the staff, as well as the neighbors have discussed alternatives such as: 1) placing street parking back on Woodhill Drive (adds 7 to 10 spaces); 2) placing parking along the east face of the building, adjacent to Victoria (adds 25 to 30 spaces but puts parking adjacent to resident rooms and requires a State waiver); 3) constructing a parking ramp - considered too expensive; 4) sharing parking with adjoining institutional uses. (MediaOne site no longer as excess space; nor does Rosewood complex.) 2.4 A building permit application for the parking lot expansion and other site improvements was submitted on May 9, 2000. The applicant provided information including a landscaping plan, a lighting plan, storm water runoff calculations, and an explanation of how the slope would be vegetated. Surface water will be retained on site, on the surface of the new parking lot which will be slightly lower (1 foot) than the existing lot. In the past, residents were concerned about the removal of trees on the Lake Ridge property, which provides a visual and sound barrier between their properties and the nursing home. They also expressed concerns with the proposed slope between the property line and the parking area (2H: 1 V). Such a steep slope is only advisable if it has a soil erosion plan and is planted with naturalized plant material which does not need mowing. 2.5 The proposed grading plan and landscaping plan were reviewed by the City Engineering staff and have previously been reviewed by the Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District. Grass Lake Water Management Organization must also review and approve of the plans. A Landscape Architect has been hired by Lake Ridge to complete a naturalized landscape and to review the methods (including retaining walls) for protection of large trees that may be saved. 2.6 Section 705.01B(6) of the City Code states that a permit for excavation and grading is required from the City Council for any filling or excavating on developed commerciallindustrial property where the site is greater than 2.5 acres and the proposed fill/excavation exceeds 5,000 cubic yards. The Lake Ridge parcel is 5.6 acres in size and the proposed excavation is estimated at over 13,000 cubic yards. Section 705.03 states, "all permits required to be issued by the City Council will be issued only after the appropriate notices have been sent to the adjacent property owners whose land might be affected by the excavating, grading, surfacing or filling, and a hearing held. The City Manager or designee will determine who the affected adjacent landowners are." 2.7 Section 1005.011 of the City Code states, "Where a business district abuts a residence district, any new development shall include a buffer zone. There shall be a protective strip of Lake Ridge PF3221 - RCA(061200) - Page 2 of 3