LandscapingMEMORANDUM
TO: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner
FROM: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
DATE: February 4, 2020
SUBJ: Moments of Chanhassen, Site Plan Review - Landscaping
Minimum requirements for landscaping at the proposed development include 1,404 sq. ft. of landscaped area around the parking lot, 2 landscape islands or peninsulas, and 5 trees for the
parking lot. The applicant’s proposed as compared to the requirements for landscape area and parking lot trees is shown in the following table.
Required
Proposed
Vehicular use landscape area
1,472 sq. ft.
>1,472 sq. ft.
Trees/parking lot
5 trees
5 trees
Islands or peninsulas/parking lot
2 islands/peninsulas
2 islands/peninsulas
The applicant meets minimum requirements for trees and landscaping.
Bufferyard and Boulevard tree requirements:
Required plantings
Proposed plantings
Bufferyard A – East prop. line, 140’
1 Overstory trees
2 Understory trees
2 Shrubs
4 overstory trees
7 Understory trees
12 Shrubs
Bufferyard B – South prop. line, 360’
7 Overstory trees
14 Understory trees
21 Shrubs
7 Overstory trees
14 Understory trees
22 Shrubs
Bufferyard A – West prop. line, 235’
1 Overstory trees
4 Understory trees
4 Shrubs
7 Overstory trees
12 Understory trees
21 Shrubs
Bufferyard A – North prop. line, 390’
3 Overstory trees
3 Understory trees
7 Shrubs
Existing native vegetation, 50’-100’ in depth
Boulevard trees, W 78th
1 tree per 30’
15 trees
11 trees
The applicant meets all minimum requirements for bufferyards. The quantity of boulevard trees is short, but with the combined planting space with the bufferyad, staff does not recommend
increasing the planting quantities and finds the proposed landscaping acceptable.
Shown on the removals plan is about 8 trees along the west property line scheduled for preservation. Staff inspected the trees and while they are of the age and type of species that
would tolerate construction activity, staff doesn’t recommend their preservation. The applicant has planned bufferyard plantings in the same location. The existing trees, mainly boxelder
and ash, may be removed.
Recommendations:
The applicant shall remove the existing trees within the grading limits along the west property line.