Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 12/16/2019

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purposes and the southern 400 or so feet intended to accommodate various commercial uses. Due to the unique nature of the PUD, and the fact that City Code allows some flexibility for transitioning options adjacent to a PUD, the Planning Commission, when they reviewed the Sketch Plan for this project, was comfortable with a reduced buffer width of twenty (20) feet but didn't specifically address the required plantings. It appears that the applicant is intending to utilize landscaping to address density transitioning. However, additional plantings are required above and beyond the base landscaping requirements to accomplish this. The additional plantings required would equal eight (8) each of overstory, evergreen and understory trees for every 100 feet of common boundary line (approximately 550 feet, as beyond that, the wetland satisfies the transitioning requirement). The current submittal does not include any any plantings for density transitioning (there are plantings along this common boundary, but those are for the base landscape requirements). Staff, through the review letter, has requested that the applicant provide additional plantings to satisfy the density transition requirement and that they be included in a separate Plant Schedule. This may result in a overhaul of landscaping overall. Finally, the Landscape Plan does indicate the use of a native seed mix in various area. While Staff is generally supportive of incorporating native landscapes in projects, in this instance, the seed mix is proposed in fairly narrow, non -continuous strips, including backing up to 147th Lane. Staff has suggested that the native landscape be reconsidered and if it is truly desired, that it should be designed in one or two contiguous areas. Furthermore, a management plan should be submitted and ultimately provided to the Home Owners Association for long term guidance on maintenance. Funding Source: The applicant is responsible for all costs related to this project. Action: Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plans contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter. Site Location Map Site Plan Existing Conditions (Tree Inventory) Landscape Plan Staff Review Letter Attachments Form Review Inbox Reviewed By Date Tim Gladhill Tim Gladhill 12/13/2019 11:02 AM Form Started By: Chris Anderson Started On: 12/09/2019 01:04 PM Final Approval Date: 12/13/2019