Agenda 06-04-2019 6-a - Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application

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6 STAFF COMMENT.- The applicant has submitted a preliminary stormwater analysis for staff review and comment. Open Space: Open space for the project is broken down on Sheet C-3 of the submittal as follows: • Primary Open Space (i.e. wetlands, streams, floodplains, slopes greater than 25%, natural areas/wildlife corridors, etc.)— 6.43 acres (280,082 square feet); • Secondary Open Space (i.e. Open space access, woodlands, slopes between 15% and 25%, scenic views, etc.)— 7.08 acres (308,354 square feet); and • Type "E" Buffer and access areas to Common Open Space (i.e. 75-foot wide buffer along US Highway 70 East and 20-foot Access Easements along perimeter) — 2.03 acres (88,444 square feet). The total area reserved as Common Open Space is approximately 15.54 acres (37% of the site). These areas are composed of lawn, fields and forested areas with existing, mature, vegetation and trees with an approximate height of between 50 to 80 feet. All 20 lots are adjacent and/or have access to Primary and/or Secondary Common Open Space areas. STAFF COMMENT. Staff has determined the proposed open space meets the requirements of the UDO. Land Use Buffer: The Preliminary Plat indicates there will be a 75-foot Type "E" land use buffer along US Highway 70 East. The buffers are comprised of existing, dense, vegetation composed of existing, mature, shrubs and trees with an approximate height of between 20 to 80 feet. Sheets C-3 and C-9 indicate that the buffer will be augmented when preserved vegetation is not sufficient to meet the minimum Type "E" landscape requirements (i.e. a minimum of 7-8 canopy trees, 4-13 understory trees and 58-77 shrubs per 100 linear feet of buffer). Additional emphasis will be given to utilizing the appropriate evergreen trees and shrubs to maximize the opacity of the buffer. STAFF COMMENT. Section 6.8.6 (D) of the UDO requires that this project maintain a 75-foot land use buffer separating the project from adjacent Arterial Roadways (US Highway 70 East). Staff has determined the proposed Common Open Space and land use buffers meet the requirements of the UDO. The minimum landscape requirements for this Type "E" buffer will also be verified by Staff prior to the recordation of the Final Plat. Note: a portion of the buffer allows for individual well and septic areas. If utilized, however, the pro-rated amount of plantings would be required elsewhere within the 75-foot Type "E" land use buffer. Park/Recreation Space: Per Section 7.11.6 Payments in Lieu of Dedication of the UDO, subdivision developments are required to provide recreation amenities for local residents or make a payment in lieu to the County for future public park development. In this instance the applicant has indicated there will be trail systems in the open space for residents but there will not be dedicated public recreation areas (i.e. playground, etc.). The property in question is located within the R-10 Cheeks park district requiring a payment of $455 per lot. The applicant has agreed to pay the County $8,645 for the payment in lieu fee. The County will be able to utilize this money for public parkland development within the vicinity of the project to benefit all residents.