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Case File: 06 -15 <br />Page 7 <br />• Natural resource inventory — The Natural Resource Inventory does indicate several natural <br />resources in the area. They consist of Forest Communities which include, but not limited to: <br />upland oak forests and lowland tamaracks. Future growth, changes in land use, and <br />development of infrastructure can impact the health and function of natural communities <br />and natural systems. The City can use its zoning and subdivision controls to avoid or <br />minimize these impacts, and provide incentives for developers and landowners to protect or <br />restore natural resources. <br />• Comprehensive plan - One vision of the Elk River Comprehensive Plan is to preserve and <br />maintain the environment; this site can accommodate that vision with an open space <br />preservation plat. Policies are also established in the comprehensive plan that should be <br />reviewed with development. Under General Land Use Policies, policy number 12 states <br />encourage cluster developments" in rural areas in order to preserve the semi -rural character of the community, <br />hep implement the greemvay concept, and maintain private properly rights interests. The open space <br />preserve plat is a cluster development that preserves 50 percent of the site in a conservation <br />easement that maintains open space. <br />• Lots — Lot 3, Block 2, may not meet the contiguous acre requirement; the applicant should <br />address this issue. <br />• Lack of information. Staff requested the applicant provide an area plan showing <br />connections through this development, as staff views these connections critical to this area. <br />Such plan was not provided. Staff also requested a tree preservation and mitigation plan to <br />determine how many trees are being removed and replaced, this plan was not submitted. The <br />wetland buffer and setbacks are not shown on the plans, it is not clear if the proposed <br />buildings will meet these setbacks. The required Landscape Plan is also missing from this <br />application. <br />With the inconsistencies with the Comprehensive Plan and the lack of road connections with this <br />development staff does not believe this site is suitable for the development proposed. <br />S:\PLANNING \Case Files \2006 \Plat \P 06 -15 Cranberry Ridge \PC 10_10_06.doc <br />