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Planning Consultant Goodroad reviewed the proposed changes to Section 117-355 regarding <br />Residential Development Off -Street Parking. She noted more detail was added with regard to <br />residential uses and parking needs, in addition to commercial and industrial uses. The City was <br />trying to reduce the abundance of over parking throughout the City. She discussed the proof of <br />parking clause in the code. Staff requested comments from the Commission on this portion of <br />code. <br />Senior Planner Gladhill commented that parking lot landscaping did have baseline requirements <br />within City Code and requested the Commission discuss this matter further and specify where <br />plantings were to be made in and around the lots. <br />Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated the intent of the current code was <br />to provide for trees to the interior of the lot and not just around the perimeter. The new code <br />would allow for flexibility on the placement of the trees. <br />Commissioner Van Scoy asked for the intent of the previous code. <br />Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson believed the intent was to have interior <br />parking lot plantings to break up the heat island effect. However, this was not clearly spelled out <br />in the language. <br />Commissioner Van Scoy thanked Staff for the clarification. <br />Commissioner Schiller was in favor of the new language but stated the new landscaping <br />requirements may cause concern on how to irrigate the islands. <br />Commissioner Field stated it was simpler to plant the trees around the perimeter of a property <br />than to the interior. He questioned if the City should consider incentives for choosing to plant <br />trees to the interior. <br />Senior Planner Gladhill indicated the City could consider a break in storm water fees for <br />choosing to plant trees to the interior of a site. <br />Commissioner Schiller recommended a percentage of trees be encouraged to be interior and that <br />this not be a mandate. <br />Planning Consultant suggested the Commission select Alternative D, which would allow for an <br />incentive -based program versus a mandate. <br />Senior Planner Gladhill proposed a motion for the Commission to consider. <br />Planning Commission/September 6, 2012 <br />Page 14 of 18 <br />