Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/01/2004

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C'~VP Storage: Site Plan Review ,Ame 25, 2004 Page 3 of 5 line to provide additional screening of the business. The bufferyard must be landscaped with additional plantings at a minimum rate of 30% of the required site landscaping. This results in an additional seventeen (17) trees and fifty-seven (57) shrubs that should be located throughout the buffer strip. While the current plan does not specifically indicate the trees for buffering, there are roughly thirty (30) shown along the eastern property line. This will satisfy the tree requirements,. however, there is ao shrubbery shown in the bufferyard. The shrub species selected to satisfy the bufferyard plantings should have a mature height of around ten (10) feet to further screen the storage facilities f¥om the existing homes. Tree Preservation A tree preservation plan was also submitted. Roughly a quarter of the trees on site will be preserved (72 out of 385 trees). A majority of the preserved trees are located near the intersection' of I48th'Ave and Ramsey'BIvd and will provide some screerdng of the site from those public roads. Many of the trees slated for preservation are four (4) inches are greater in diameter and can be used to offset some of the required tree plantings. A revised tandscaping plan must be submitted that reflects minimum number of required plantings. Again, this would include an additional 214 shrubs total (157 required for the total square footage of the buildings and 57 which must be included in the bufferyard). At least three (3) or four (4) different shrub species should be utilized to provide some species diversity to the site. A heavy emphasis should be placed on interspersing shrubs throughout the trees to create a more continuous buffer between the proposed use and the existing homes. In the business districts, there is an alternative that provides a developer the option of installing a privacy fence within the bufferyard area. While this alternative does not completely alleviate the need for'additional plantings, it does reduce the number of required bufferyard plantings by 10%. This seems to be 'an ideal option for the eastern property line (where it abuts'the residential homes). It would provide for immediate and continuous screening between the two uses and also would help filter out glare from headlights. It should be noted that the proposed 8-foot chain link fence would not meet this requirement; a privacy-type fence would need to be installed. Finally, 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 from the planting schedule. If the latter is necessary, the City must be informed of tb.e changes prior to any work being conducted. 43