12-14-00 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 14, 2000 Biagini explained that due to health problems he experienced, some of the landscaping issues were not properly attended to. Aground cloth was not installed under the wood chips and weeds became a problem. The wood chips will be peeled back and a ground cloth installed. Biagini reported that because of the height of the berm, it could not be sodded and wood chips had to be used. Elaine Zoch pointed out that if the berm was not so high it could be surfaced in grass. Biagini reported that the berm is as high was it is because Mr. Bougie who lives on Condit Street did not want headlights from the parking lot shining into his front windows. There has also been a problem with children playing on the berm which has caused wood chips to get pushed off the berm and into the street. Biagini expressed concern that if rocks were used to surface the berm, these would be an attractive nuisance for children. Biagini also pointed out that the City required that evergreens be planted on the berm and a water system was installed to irrigate the evergreens. Marcel Zoch pointed out that the berm could be lower given that when the evergreens grow and fill in they will provide adequate screening for the homes on Condit. Then if the berm is lower, it can be planted with grass. Mr. Zoch was also concerned that the plows are pushing snow right up against the bank and that the water from this snow goes directly into the storm sewer since it is not sitting on land where some of the water can be absorbed into the ground. Keis agreed that in four to five years the evergreens will provide adequate screening. Therefore, it is a trade-off for the property owners -either a higher berm with immediate screening, or a lower berm with grass and adequate screening at the time the evergreens fill in. Elaine Zoch indicated that they were originally told that the building would be smaller and there would be adequate room for a lower, wider berm. Now the building is proposed at 15,000 square feet. Biagini reported that the building got smaller rather than larger. Keis suggested that the Commission get back to the issue of whether or not the 90/10 warehouse/office split is acceptable. If it is, then the landscaping issues can be worked out. Biagini pointed out that his development agreement with the City requires that he pay the same amount of property taxes no matter what the office/warehouse split is.