The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1999-09-14 NAC Memorandum Re Landscape & Berm PlanRE: FILE NO: MEMORANDUM TO: Kris Danielson FROM: Scott Richards DATE: September 14, 1999 5 7 7 5 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 PHONE 6 1 2- 595 -9636 NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN MARKET RESEARCH Oak Park Heights - Valley Senior Services Alliance - Landscape and Berm Plan - East Property Line of Boutwell's Landing 798.02 .98.02 As per your request, 1 have reviewed the landscape and berm plans by VSSA's architect for that area on the east side of the Boutwell's Landing project between the twin homes and the River Hills neighborhood. The grading proposed for the berm is very similar to the plan approved by the City as prepared by Westwood Professional Services, Inc. The grade of the berm does extend slightly further to the north of what was developed on Westwood's plan. We see this as positive in that it creates more screening for the residents of River Hills. The Westwood plan anticipated the placement of approximately 80 spruce to be used from other locations within the Boutwell's Landing project. The new plan incorporates 71 spruce trees as well as significant numbers of other landscaping materials. The berm and proposed landscaping should provide an effective screen, as well as an amenity for Boutwell's Landing and River Hills residents. The landscape plans should be reviewed by the City's arbornst for further comments on the landscape material types and specific plants. FAX 6 1 2 -595 -9837 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 5 5 4 1 6 E -MAIL NAG @ WINTERNET.GOM 3 6. 71 5 r .r�c.r erc. 99 \ AB a.1\i ./- C S . ' 68 St1Mi�C., (6 '� 98 1Q ro' O t.) 651 TOTAL P.02 04/20/99 13:37 o129375822 \\ \\\ \\\ VESTWOOD PROF. L. ICES ''''...,.... '.-....:''''' .........„ \ \N �+. �ti : .r te :r _ � �. 'N ti, -e.,..... '''..........--...""~-, ........,:--., ...............\\ �. .! •+ f `i - • i �.. • ` Y} ~ •- ,• fit!f _ 4 ArAle ► ►l am / ter . } • J� 1 ,j.. t. r 1 r •!�' r i 0 f5 I 41 005 04/20/99 13:36 FAX 6129375822 WESTWOOD PROF . SERVICES t& L 004 Memo To : Kris Danielson Coimnunity Development Director, City of Oak Park Heights From: Katharine D. Widin Municipal Arborist 9/13/99 Re: Proposed Changes to Landscaping/Tree Issue - Boutwell's Landing la Berm op East Site Near.Rives At the recommendation of the landscape architect for the project (Ed Reid of Park Nursery), VSSA proposes to change the length and slope of the berm. Mt Reid has said that the current slopes are too great to allow the use of a tree spade on the sides of the berm; there has also been a request from a resident in River Hills for VSSA to extend the length of the berm to the north to screen Boutwell's Landing from his property. To address these two issues, Mr. Reid has drawn a new design (9/11/99) which extends the berm 30 feet to the north and puts the spruce transplanted with the tree spade at the top of the berm. A number of mass plantings of shrubs are located near the base of the berm on each side. The number of spruce used has increased from 39 to 71. The number of shrubs has increased from 314 to 577. The species used are hardy, attractive and require mir it al maintenance. 1 would suggest that the 3 elm included on the north side of the planting be a cultivar resistant to Dutch elm disease. The parts of the berm which are not planted with trees and shrubs will be planted with a low maintenance grass. The design should be attractive and provide an adequate screen for the development; however, gentler slopes to the sides of the berm would allow more planting of trees and shrubs on the side slopes. Mr. Reid stresses that they need to move the trees in the next 7-10 days. The shrubs would be P important later in the fall. It is itant that the open areas of the berm be seeded with grass as soon as possible to stabilize the slopes and keep erosion to a minimum. c 0 PLANT HEALTH ASC in p hi tor S 8 een Mr. Reid has also drawn a plan for plantings to screen the townhonnes in the NW corner of the development from 58th St. originally there were sure evergreens in that area, however, they were removed for utility construction. The plan he has drawn is attractive and utilizes many of the species of trees that are proposed for the rest of the development. A long planting of common lilac curves through the trees next to .58th St. The species chosen are hardy and relatively insect and disease free. A number of spruce wilt be transplanted from other areas on the property. The trees and shrubs are not proposed to be planted in the drainage swathe. This drawing also extends the plantings to the west ro erty line. VSSA has been advised that planting in a utility corridor carries P P • • be done on the utilities in the future, the with it the condition that if work needs to Cant P material removal and replacement costs will be the responsibility of the property owner. ton stS 3, Req_uelliove 1 have received a request from a representative of Adolfson and Peterson to remove the pin a in oak that is near the deep grading cut on the west side of the property near the wetland area of the Haase Nature Preserve. The tree has not been damaged by construction and could be retained; however, a massive retaining wall (estimated cost $10,000. would have to be built to accommodate the tree). According to the representative! spoke with, removal of that tree and the subsequent grading should not affect the remaining trees in that area and would greatly reduce the size and expense of the retaining wall. If that tree is removed, the oak nearest to it should also be removed because it has a large, old wound at the base of the trunk. They would like a decision on this issue as soon as possible, so that they can proceed with construction in that area. P02 ELK 99 \A Sofa_ iv u 5 58 SOMA L (5- () 98 t7o coAt') 6s fl)