Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/03/2004

Home

Huntington- Site Plan May 28, 2004 Page 2 of 4 requires that no less than 25% of the trees planted be deciduous and no less than 25% coniferous. Furthermore, City Code requires that no more than .25% of the trees planted consist of ornamental trees. Parking lot landscaping: is also required, one (1) tree per every ten (10) parking stalls. In addition to the tree requirements, City Code also states that one (1) shrub per every tlzirty (30) lineal feet of site perimeter or 300 square feet of building coverage, whichever is greater, be planted. The total building coverage on the property is proposed to be 15,000 square feet and the' perimeter of the property is roughly 1,060 lineal feet. Thus, a minimum of twenty-one (21) t~'ees (based on the perimeter of the site) and fiiky (50) shrubs (based on the square fbotage of the proposed building) must be installed. In addition, there are twenty (20) proposed parking stalls wlzich will require an additional two (2) overstory trees resulting in a minimum of' twenty-three (23) trees overall. The cun'ent landscaping plan sl~ows-a total of twenty-one (21) trees and forty-two (42) shrubs being installed. An additional two (2) oversrory trees must be incorporated into the landscaping plan to satisfy the overall number of required trees. Furthermore, an additional eight (8) st~ubs must be included to satisfy the shrub-requirements (the Stella de Oro daylily does not count toward this requirement because it is a perennial). All species are considered to be acceptable or preferred as outlined in the Ramsey Tree Book, however, the species palette does not indicate the sizes of the planting stock. There are a couple of points of concern regarding the general location of street trees. First, no trees can be planted within thirty-five (35) feet of the back of curb of any intersecting street. This is something that will require attention in the field when the trees are installed. Additionally, no tree shall be planted within fifteen (15) feet of a hydrant. If a conflict does exist, the spacing of the trees may need to be adjusted or a tree(s) may need to be eliminated fi'om the planting schedule. If the latter is necessary, the City must be in,brined of the changes prior to any work being conducted. A revised landscaping plan needs to be submitted. The revised plan should include the additional trees and shn~bs required under City Code as well as the sizes of all plants. The minimum sizes for deciduous overstory trees, evergreen trees, and ornamental trees are 2.5 inches in diameter, 6 feet in height, and 1.5 inches in diameter respectively. Ground Cover: All unimproved areas must be sodded. Any alternative to sod will require City Council's approval. Additionally, all landscaped areas are required to have an underground in'igation system. The irrigation system must be show on the site plan or utility plan. The site plan needs to be revised to indicate all areas that will be sodded. Architectural Standards: City Code restricts building height to 65 feet and exterior wall finishes to natural or prefabricated brick or stone or pre-cast concrete panels or some other material approved by City Council. The site plan is proposing exterior building materials to consist of pre-cast concrete panels. The building elevation plan indicates a 25 foot high structm'e, which meets City Code.