Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/24/2012

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Councilmember McGlone asked if there would be discussion whether a rain garden should be included. Planning Consultant Goodroad stated this basic ordinance would require some amount of landscaping to be located within the parking lot, not just on the edges. Fifty percent of required trees would be within the parking lot interior and the other 50% could be scattered. Councilmember Elvig relayed his experience that parking lot islands with major hardwoods catch water and wildlife and create shade; however, have to be sprinkled to get growth so they are often saturated and not effective to hold stormwater. In addition, large trees drop leaves that catch in storm drains, requiring flushing of the catch basins. Councilmember Elvig stated he likes the appearance but there is reason to look at this from many angles to determine what is truly effective. Mayor Ramsey felt that landscaped parking lot islands are a snowplowing nightmare and maintenance "money pit." Councilmember Wise concurred and noted trees are good when small in size but can grow and block signage and sight lines. Mayor Ramsey raised the option of using planters that can be moved during winter months. Planning Consultant Goodroad stated the City does not have to include this requirement but staff is attempting to address site aesthetics and thinks trees can be selected that do not grow too large. She noted the direction is from the City Council whether to add this requirement to the City's ordinance. In addition, if commercial abuts a similar district, the ordinance requires adding landscaping up to three feet in height to block headlights. If abutting a residential type of use, a higher standard for perimeter screening would be required. Councilmember Elvig suggested looking at the option of an Architectural Review Board to address design and provide recommendations. Mayor Ramsey suggested requiring a larger setback in areas with evergreen partitions between uses to assure there is enough room for snow storage without impacting evergreen trees. Councilmember Wise noted parking lots are often oversized to provide space for snow storage. Senior Planner Gladhill stated he hears this concern and noted that much of the screening between commercial and residential uses is already within Code. He stated staff will raise the Council's concerns before the Planning Commission. Councilmember McGlone cited the example of the Holiday Gas Station at Highways 47 and 5 where the corner residents were going to plant screening trees but it took 15 years to get some degree of screening. He noted a mature tree needed to be required to provide adequate screening. City Council Work Session / July 24, 2012 Page 5of10