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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.E.1. Appeal of Penalty for Unauthorized Tree Removal Assessment for Eternity Homes--1995 Evergreen Ln 0"tA General Business 10. E. 1. SHtUCOPPE TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Jacob Busiahn,Natural Resources Technician DATE: 10/01/2013 SUBJECT: Appeal of Penalty for Unauthorized Tree Removal Assessment for Eternity Homes--1995 Evergreen Ln(B) Action Sought The City Council should hear the appeal by Eternity Homes to reduce or dismiss a monetary assessment for the unauthorized tree removal, for action at 1995 Evergreen Ln. in Shakopee. Background On August 23, 2012, the City issued a building permit to Eternity Homes for a single family home at 1995 Evergreen Lane, Shakopee, MN. Previously, Eternity Homes had submitted a survey dated 7/13/11 (attachment 1) showing it was to remove two trees, and install a tree protection fence and silt fence approximately 15 feet behind the proposed house location. City staff completed a Woodland Management Evaluation and Compliance form for the property on 8/20/12 (attachment 2), which required a tree protection fence as shown on the survey dated 8/16/11 (attachment 3). That reflected the placement shown on the survey submitted by Eternity Homes. An as-built survey was submitted to the City by Eternity Homes dated 11/9/12 (attachment 5), which showed an altered tree line approximately 55 feet behind the constructed house. The trees removed behind the required tree protection fence were not authorized by the City. On May 21, 2013, Building Inspector Jim Davis by telephone notified the field supervisor for Eternity Homes, Kevin Schultz, that the final grading as-built approval had been revoked because of severe erosion problems on the site. That information was reiterated in a letter of August 21, 2013 from Mr. Davis to Eternity Homes. On the 10th of July, 2013, the City notified Eternity Homes that it was being fined(assessed) $18,500 (or to provide for the installation of 74 caliper inches of replacement trees) as a result of unauthorized tree removal at 1995 Evergreen Lane, Shakopee, MN(attachment 6). The amount of the fine was determined using City Code Sec. 11.60 Subd. 9. Measurement was performed on existing stumps on said property, which showed removed trees with diameters of 9 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, and 10 inches, for a total of 37 inches. City code requires a payment of$500 per diameter inch for unauthorized removal of trees. City Code (Sec. 11.60 Subd. 9.) also sets a tree replacement ratio of two caliper inches for every one inch diameter at breast height remove per inch removed. An examination of aerial imagery of the location and adjacent lots would indicate many more trees were removed than for what is being assessed. It should be noted that Eternity Homes also built the house on the lot adjacent to, and directly east of 1995 Evergreen Ln. This property had required replacement trees due to the removal of existing trees on the lot. This indicates that Eternity Homes had been aware of the tree replacement requirements listed in City Code. The area of unauthorized tree removal has a fairly steep slope, which led to a significant amount of erosion after the vegetation was removed. It caused washouts across the entire back yard, and moved a substantial amount of sediment from the front and sides of the site down the slope. This resulted in a raising of the grade around the remaining trees on the site of up to 18 inches, which will inevitably stress and kill those existing trees. They will eventually have to be removed by the owner of the property. (This issue was also recently found on the property directly east of 1995 Evergreen which Eternity Homes built). Photos of site are attached. Mr. Pat Flynn of Eternity Homes counters that he had received oral approval from Building Inspector Davis to make these modification, and has therefore asked to appeal the assessment amount to the City Council. For this reason, it is on the September 17th agenda for the Council to consider. Recommendation Council should hear the appeal, and indicate what, if any, change to the assessment should be made. The Council should also direct staff to establish a formal appeal process. Logically, the Environmental Advisory Commission should first hear and seek to resolved issues which can't be handled at a staff level. The City Council would be the final authority. Budget Impact No City impact. Relationship To Visioning B. Positively manage the challenges and opportunities presented by growth, development and change. Requested Action The City Council should hear the appeal by Eternity Homes to reduce or dismiss the unauthorized tree removal assessment at 1995 Evergreen Ln. If there are no changes, the assessment will stand. Council should also direct staff to formalize an appeals process for issues relating to woodland preservation issues. Attachments: 1995 Evergreen Lane Treea I4+fat v%: m 7 ? bF •�..r.• 11 �y zz xq�y �ypuj F � U � a o �w ' ❑ A ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ W �z e_ ° pig QiCo l�t�R' w ° F (� no ° e Ol CO Iv $ � U zz 'pv'1 u Z W w m tl b / M /, rnb 6�•I9 Sf�I . /fin /11 •' /�`\�\a�r{�f tt 1 `Ja � �� � �Sn /// 1113 aA; - a Vor e�r�C'.4„` < °' Or (D o°� 111111 �I�� � \ ,�N ,l . .� x Do r--?,)&v� O s a Kas CD ol Do 4 z•9 x .. JNI StXd � s T L y 4 CITY OF SHAKOPEE WOODLAND MANAGEMENT EVALUATION&COMPLIANCE FORM ADDRESS: �,�,/ `� OWNER; • BUILDER PHONE: PHONE: APPLICATION SUBMITTED: EMAIL/FAX PLAN REVIEW DATE: PID# Natural Resource Corridor Priority Ranking: BEST BETTER GOOD BUFFER N/A WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN CHECKLIST Survey/Drawing of Woodland Management Plan Have Trees been identified on plan?(numbered,diameter,species&status) — How many trees are being removed? How many trees are being replaced? — Does Plan include protective barrier around trees in the construction area? CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: z -T o(L w 1 APPROVED > APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS NOT APPROVED Reviewed By: Date: FINAL INSPECTION Inspection'dates: PASS/FAIL PASS/FAIL Inspection By: cl� t„�3 ' ❑ o Z R;a 88 0 Ft b On m FRIWW rye..t 5 ul ° i-�•I < o O• ^yr p S ,'° w a o L7 vi° ❑ ° d Ad a 01 C N m Q • q n 6t, T� JQ•b / /r /? / 1 dos t` y^ r J /� / /r///kaj0/ /���`\1�I(� I I I°I' ( l� 8 zY•t,e�\ ` \ �N�� i ti o7 / <. !//// �///i ��N—� I ��,III��I�I�I¢f�^�o•r/ //� ���`y/r°��,�Y &` �°�, � J� / / 1 r �o Il Z °o�o� n oz o. z'ro`-,1{ ` If �qX• \ \ I`%N _ � ,°<-��P1�!3��`���,l l/1• �\'l\moo` � � m� �//. �g • #'pro 'z•Yvx s }���` h ���,—,•�,,`� \\ �\ r � dR R e 11 ((l AM O,1 `I ow / I �A'� � `•�jr � w � i0��� DG � ry r'� r �i e° o oa N a W a w z O O 0�� Xr4`1 z3� yee� fill FQ �ga o L,, m o ,V a_ al b° cn Q To Epp°e E 13 tot'v y..ti O J4.w. 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Jab �• �0W S 10 noaayj r I `y �/�(p�� �•1! a //�� •`'V 1 °e •ly1 a� Al hr $ISZ S9 ZfAt rnr,r nw,l j asnou �NI151k� �� Date: 17Jun13 SHAKOPEE Pat Flynn PARIC:S,RE,C;RrATION Eternity Homes L.L.0 AND NATURAL RRSOURC88 425 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 Subject: Unauthorized removal of trees on the following property: 1995 Evergreen Lane Shakopee,MN 55379 Dear Mr. Flynn, The City of Shakopee herby notifies you that as of the date of this notification and as a result of unauthorized tree removal defined in the City of Shakopee Code Sec.11.60 Subd.9.,a fine of$18,500 or installation of 74 caliper inches of replacement trees is required.The City approved plan dated 10-8-12 (attached)only authorized the removal of 2 trees on this property. Existing conditions on this property does not reflect approved plan. Per City Code Sec.11.60 Subd.9.the fine was determined with existing stumps on said property with diameters of 9 inches,8 inches, 10 inches, and 10 inches.These diameters total 37 inches with a required payment of$500 per diameter inch for unauthorized removal of trees. Per City Code Sec.11.60 Subd.9.the replacement tree ratio was determined with a ratio of two caliper inches for every one inch diameter at breast height removed. In addition, a change of grade around existing trees will likely result in the loss of 6 trees with diameters measuring 8 inches, 12 inches, 6 inches, 12 Inches,9 Inches,and 7 inches. If these trees are lost within the next 2 years and determined to be as a result of the change of grade a fine of$500 per diameter inch will be assessed to Eternity Homes L.L.C. Contact Jacob Busiahn with any questions regarding this notification at 952-233-9511 Sincerely, Jacob Busiahn, Natural Resources Technician Parks, Recreation&Natural Resources Department City of Shakopee,MN r i I ETE R- Nitv HOMESLLC lauMh�n�pw hdiMw�Ai++� W Eternity Homes,LLC 425 3rd Street- Farmington,MN 55024 RE:1995 Evergreen Lane On or about October 5th,5012 Eternity Homes met with Jim Davis on-site at 1995 Evergreen to do framing inspections. It was at that time that Jim and Pat had discussed the grading and that we would grade the yard similar to 19$7 Evergreen which implied additional tree removal. Jim Davis agreed Ad approved process to move forward. On November 12th, 2012 Eternity Homes submitted a grading survey to Jim Davis via email which was approved. Eternity Homes started to landscape which was ended early due to winter arriving early. Eternity Homes was issued the Temp CO December 14th,2012. We now understand that Jim Davis was not authorized to make all these decisions thus the confusion. Eternity Homes met with the city and did not decipher between the two Shakopee departments. Sincerely, Patrick Flynn Eternity Homes,LLC I 1 425 Third Street Farmington,MN.55024 Phone:651-460-3043 Fax:651-460-3045 f -eer et$t ''4 {r wy yard buried trees :�.. at bottom of slope �Wa ��� 9 i y 1 r z 7 � x f- .y o*F L ►4c` Us �`ta^r ``"--" —m,,�, rc a v�..'st..fgt f rd r? .'��y "t"� y. �� �' ` Y`�-�' ° ' .��`,s-s; One of many buried AV -1 '} , d Bottom t trees on site. ;4 • 1 stick is at original grade. j o y ,r P - 4-o", ..des°..' 'z_. :r . _ _ �.z ���`.��! �',•_ra��.. _ ��#� �: +•''#�"x s — e _ tir 4 �e .. a ]] e r � 6 e . - r x 4_ WOO 4 ' .. � ,� -.- .'rte-` r✓5�_..�[�,3' 2=s"`k v-� ',:4�� M -- •�- °`.`,�`,,��' —t.er ' `& + mar- .- ._.,, .. �'�"� `�`_ • a w b _ qp kk r as y° , 3 3 1 � eri;Y n r -- Buried trees - at bottom of slope. "iZ 71 Un a i Silt fence was not able to handle the r am amount of s� displaced sediment < 3 , a; a two Jew- -ICII ---.100- �Y t All, _ t ry View looking 4 r +ti f s°,,�„ 'E �,.,.g�'�x •.,mss.,.,, c �- -r-.a'r .r A. a. .r w +a ti. A up slope « _ ash • .� side of home. A4 W - - •.:.` s e $. h 4 x fit F' •a ok IN 1. y � w a . xI r' may '. ,� � �•� - t c'� a Aerial photo of site before built. Aw � u x � - J I F- - r . AW ffAX n _ UP � y; i SHAKOPEE August 21,2013 PIN 27-380006 Eternity Homes,LLC 425 3rd Street Farmington,MN 55024 Re: Revocation of Final Grade As-Built @ 1995 Evergreen Ln, Shakopee,MN 55379 Permit#68721 Dear Permit Applicant: This letter will serve as written documentation that on May 21"2013; I had notified field supervisor Kevin Schultz by phone that the Final Grade As-Built for 1995 Evergreen Lane has been revoked due to severe erosion issues. This would not have'occurred if the landscaping had been completed in fall of 2012. Kevin informed me that he understood,and that Eternity Homes would add soil to correct the grade,and once graded would forward the Final Grade As-Built for review& approval. Sincerely, J im Davis City of Shakopee Building Official/Deputy Inspector COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857 129 Holmes Street South • Shakopee,Minnesota 55379.1351 952-233-9300 • FAX 952-233-3801 %vim.cLshakopee.mn•us i General Business 10. F. 1. SHAKOPEE TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator DATE: 10/01/2013 SUBJECT: Workshop Date--October 23rd(B) Action Sought For the Council to schedule a special workshop meeting on October 23rd to discuss 101 Corridor issues as they pertain to the 101 Corridor Study. Background As part of the work being done by HKgi, Economic Development Coordinator, Samantha DiMaggio, has been working to schedule a developer's round table to provide input on the Shakopee 101 Corridor Study. This is anticipated to be two days of work, with one of the consultants flying in from the east coast to participate. Included in that would be a 90-minute to two-hour discussion of CR 101, for which the City Council, Planning Commission, EDAC and members of the public would be invited. The consultants would meet the following morning with City and County staff to do follow up work. We understand the desire to minimize the number of extra meetings, but at this time Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 pm seems to be the most available for both consultant and other participants. Recommendation I recommend that Council schedule a joint workshop with the Planning Commission and EDAC, to discuss the Shakopee 101 Corridor at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. Budget Impact None. Relationship To Visioning This supports Goal B, "Positively manage the challenges and opportunities presented by growth, development and change." Requested Action If the Council concurs, it should, by motion, call for a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and EDAC to discuss the Shakopee 101 Corridor issues.