Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/20/2020

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5.4. Meeting Date: 05/20/2020 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Review Natural Resources Aspects of Cobblestone Hotel Site Plan Purpose/Background: The City has received an application for Site Plan review for a proposed hotel development to be located between Sunwood Drive and Veterans Drive, directly west of and adjacent to New Horizon Academy (the "Subject Property"). Included with the submittal is a Landscape Plan. The side is devoid of any significant trees and therefore, a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan is not required. Furthermore, there are no wetlands or floodplains on the Subject Property either, so this review will focus only on the Landscape Plan. Observations/Alternatives: The Subject Property is located in The COR, and more specifically with the COR-2 subdistirct. The proposal is for a new, four (4) story hotel and also includes a restaurant. Within The COR, landscaping requirements really focus on public spaces, such as boulevards and parks. However, each individual project should also incorporate landscaping internal to the site as well. There is already established planter beds with trees and perennials/shrubs along Sunwood Drive. Based on previously established patterns to the east, the boulevard area along Veterans Drive is realistically too narrow to accommodate boulevard plantings. But, there is more than sufficient space for trees on the north side of the sidewalk and south of the parking lot. This too would mirror the existing development pattern established to the east. The proposed Landscape Plan is rather sparse, with the landscaping centered only around the building. The plan only includes two (2) ornamental trees with no shade trees (or evergreens). The plan does include a hefty number of shrubs mostly around the foundation of the building. While The COR Design Framework does not specify minimum landscape requirements within a site, Staff believes that additional plantings must be incorporated. As previously noted, there is plenty of space to add trees along the southern lot line. Furthermore, there are four islands within the parking lot that could/should also be enhanced with trees, shrubs, and/or perennials. Aside from the number of plantings, the Landscape Plan is generally acceptable with necessary revisions outlined in the Staff Review Letter. Funding Source: The Applicant is responsible for all costs incurred in process this request. Action: Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter. Site Location Map Site Plan Landscape Plan Attachments