Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 01/25/2021

Home

Board Member Little commented that in the long-term there would be issues with crowding if additional trees were included. He stated that in order to keep the aesthetic beauty of the trees there would need to be a plan for thinning and asked if there would be a plan for that activity. City Planner Anderson commented that the intention would be to have this area in an outlot deeded to the City, therefore the long-term maintenance would be of the City. Board Member Little asked if the homes adjacent to the density transitioning would be two- or three-story homes. City Planner Anderson replied that they would be modified two story homes. Board Member Little commented that this is a north to south berm with preexisting canopy of trees on the east side and wants to ensure the long-term viability of the trees and therefore would be hesitant to require trees to be planted that would not survive. City Planner Anderson stated that he does agree with that sentiment but recognizes that this is a zoning tool. He noted that the developer could have chosen to match lot sizes of the existing homes as an alternative. He agreed that there could be some over competition in the long-term. He stated that there is a similar comparison in the Brookfield development, which was planted 15 years ago and there is still ample room between the trees. He stated that although he echoes the concerns about long-term survivability and has empathy for the comments from the developer, he falls back to the fact that this is a zoning tool that is being used to allow additional density for the development. Board Member Fetterley commented that there are requests made frequently to the Board related to the planting expectations. She stated that in this case the applicant is asking for an exception based on the concern for overcrowding. She commented that her concern is that the decision is required now for something that may become an issue many years down the road. She stated that if they guess wrong now and allow less trees, there would be less trees in the future. She noted that she would prefer to start with the required plantings and if an issue arises in the future, the City could resolve that through maintenance as the property would be deeded to the City. Acting Chairperson Hiatt asked if the neighborhood has been recently surveyed as to whether they strongly support the transition berm. City Planner Anderson commented that originally the developer proposed 65-foot lot widths throughout the development. He noted that the existing neighborhood made it clear that they would not want to see anything less than 80-foot lot widths and the developer made the change to place 80-foot-wide lots along that border with the existing homes along with meeting the density transitioning requirements. Acting Chairperson Hiatt asked if there has been discussion with the developer to provide an easement for that area which would allow the City to complete maintenance. City Planner Anderson replied that in order to meet the density transitioning requirements,the lots bordering the existing homes are already 35 feet deeper than required to provide density transitioning. He stated that additional space would be used to create the outlot while allowing Environmental Policy Board/January 25, 2021 Page 5 of 9