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7.12. SR 02-27-1995Elk Ri ITEM 7.12. MEMORANDUM ~er TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner-.,'d~~~'~,~" DATE: February 27, 1995 SUBJECT: Update on Site Plan Modifications To Auto Mall, Case No. CU 94-11 Issue The developers of the Auto Mall at the north end of Carson Street are requesting to modify their approved site plan by removing approximately 16 to 19 pine trees and lowering the grade along Highway 169. Analysis The developer has recently approached staff with a request to make some • modifications to the approved site plan by removing 16 to 19 trees and lowering the grade along Highway 169 in front of the Auto Mall. Modifications to development plans during the project are not uncommon and are typically handled administratively unless they are a significant deviation from the plans as presented to the Planning Commission and City Council. I felt that the changes proposed by the developer were enough to at least advise the Council prior to the work commencing. First of all, a majority of the proposed grading and tree removal will be occurring in MnDOT right-of--way. Therefore, a permit will be required from MnDOT in order to proceed with the work. In the past, MnDOT has been cooperative in allowing grading to occur. They have also allowed the removal of trees, however, MnDOT will determine the value of the trees removed and require the developer to make payment according to the determined amount. The developers request to remove trees and lower the grade along the east side of the property would help improve visibility of the site's signage and also the visibility of the parking area. Apparently visibility from Highway 169 to actually see the parking area with the number of cars and overall activity occurring at these businesses is important to attract customers. The present grade along Highway 169 is approximately three to five feet higher than the parking area. From a design standpoint, this grade "softens" the appearance of the parking area and garage doors facing Highway 169. The 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to Mayor and City Council Page 2 February 27, 1995 ----------------------------------------------- • building and signage that will be placed above the overhead doors will be visible; however, the parking lot and "customer activity" will be less obvious. Staff discussed with the developer selectively removing some of the trees to improve visibility of the free standing sign as well as the wall sign of each of the Auto Mall tenants. This request may have been acceptable by the developer, however, the lowering of the grade was also important and in order to do this the trees would have to be removed. One of the goals staff has tried to accomplish with reviewing development requests along Highway 169 is to maintain various stands of mature trees to enhance the 169 corridor. As you drive north on Highway 169 from Highway 10 there are various groupings of mature trees which add to the image of Highway 169. In some instances, these trees have been compromised completely to improve the visibility to commercial businesses, however, staff believes there can certainly be a happy medium whereby the visibility of commercial businesses can be achieved, while at the same time maintaining the natural aesthetics along Highway 169. I would encourage the City Council to drive Highway 169 and pay attention to the prominence of conifers along each side of the Highway. If this is the • "image" that the City Council would like to maintain as the Highway 169 corridor develops we should work towards a compromise with the developer of the Auto Mall to preserve this character. Recommendation It is recommended the City Council consider this request and apply it to the preferred "image" of Highway 169 corridor. Based on the City Council's discussion and decision on this request, staff will have better direction on how to review and make recommendations for development along Highway 169 and Highway 10. • s:council:automall S~.L~'I~OSS ~, ~, ~ ~\ s l 1 ,. Z ~ , ~. M ~ I i Z\ ~ ~\ \~0 a ~ ,; q4 qm ~. ~ ~ h ~ ~y Z O- ~ Z M ~ V~ O ~ o • ~ o°x ct~ ix~x~ ~- ~~ -- ~~ / ~ ~ ~~ - - ~ ~ ,J v- sa ~~ ~ 9 O ~- `J j ~ ~, ~ ~~, ~ ~ ~' , © ~ l~ _~~ ~n x ~. ~~ ~ o ~ '• /~\\ Q- ~ L ~0 ' ~ 1 c 3 ,. ~~~ ~_ 2 ~ ~. ~ '~ O ~~ tQ a. v ,~ `~V \\ J--~''~'~.~.--~' _,~'cr 3 ~~ M ~ ~~ N ~v s ofESS rcw'»^RI Xl3 89£ xog 'O d N \~ a \e Pi~,r \\i,,i~' ~\`` i •~ ~xor -- 86'G9 M„~Z ~bbf'685 • • • ~ ~ ~ ~_= ~~: ->) v • DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT~"7N -Office of Environmental Services, Oakdale STATE OF MINNESOTA OF ~E MEMORANDUM DATE: February 16, 1995 ,~.. ti ra R ~•' ro: Roger Busch ~~' • ;..,. Maintenance Permits :~ • District 3, St. Cloud ~- ' FROM: Robert Slater '~ Forester Forestry Unit PHONE: (612) 779-5104 sue.lECT: C.S. 7106, USTH 169, MP 159. Request to remove trees along US 169 in Elk River. I reviewed the site on the morning of February 15, 1995. The trees in question are in groups of 3-5 trees. These trees were, in the past, part of a continuous planted row of red (Norway) pine. The row was cut around 1989, leaving the present groups. The remaining trees are in good condition with average form. TREE APPRAISAL Ave. Basic No. of Species Condition Location Tree Tree Value Trees Class % Class % Value 7.37" 730 38 Red Pine 50 60 8322 Average tree value: $219 per tree. Approximately 24 trees (value $5256) are in the area to be regraded. Note: This appraisal is based on the Guide for Plant Appraisal by the International Society of Arboriculture and the Landscape Tree Valuation from the Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota. RECGr1~iMENDATiGNS If you allow removal of these trees the developer should be requi-red to replant with trees and shrubs of equal value. Another option is to make available to the city of Elk River cash for use in the landscape partnership that they are participating in with MN/DOT. I am available. to work out the details of either the landsca~ring or how to work the exchange of money- for use in the landscape partnership with Elk .River. Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions. rs cc: L. Foote • L. Holm P. Walvatne D. Gullickson FEB 2 } ~~NN~q District 3 • Minnesota Department of Transportation 3725 12th Street North ~ Post Office Box 370 ~'oF ~~~ Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56302 Telephone: (612) 255-4181 Fax: (612) 255-3257 • r~ February 22, 1995 John C. Weight and Associates General Contractors P.O. box 368 Elk River, MN 55330 In reply refer to Dear Mr. Weight: C.S. 7106, T.H. 169, M.P. 159 Request to remove trees and regrade backslope Attached herewith is the foresters recommendation and valuation of the trees adjacent to your project in Elk River. Please call me at 612-255-4176 after you have. had a chance to review it so we can discuss your options. Sincerely, ~~ .(~~~' Roger Busch Roadway Regulations Supervisor cc: M. Lindberg Steve Ach rte' An Equal Opportunity Employer