06-11-09 Planning Comm. Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minimum Sizes. The Ordinance requires minimum sizes for landscaping elements. The plants proposed in the landscape plan appear to meet the minimum size requirements, except for the Gold Mound Spirea. Staff recommends that the Gold Mound Spirea proposed to serve as screening from the parking lot shall be replaced with shrubs that meet the minimum requirement of 3.5 feet. The Landscape Plan proposes Neon Flash Spirea to screen the parking areas from the rights-of-way. Staff is concerned of the ability of these shrubs to adequately screen the parking areas as they are proposed to be 18 inches in height and do not meet the minimum requirement of 3.5 feet. Staff would recommend a taller shrub (at least 3.5 feet in height) be located in these areas to provide adequate screening. Although the Ordinance requires one landscaped island at a rate of one island per 15 spaces at 100 square feet each, the Landscape Plan does propose raised, curbed landscaping beds throughout the parking area that appear to sufficiently cover the proposed parking. In addition, staff would recommend that the plantings at the Rice Street intersections (Market Drive and First Bank Drive) should not encroach into the required 30 foot traffic visibility triangle. L~hting• The Lighting Plan proposes 6 overhead lights to be installed on site. From the submitted Lighting Plan, staff is not able to determine if the lights on the public streets meet the requirement of not exceeding one (1) foot candle (meter reading) as measured from the center line of said street. From the foot candles provided, it appears that some of the lighting may exceed this requirement at the center lines of the streets. In addition, the proposed lights are not hooded, but are directed downwards. If a different variety of light, such as hooded lighting would provide less intensive foot candles that meet the Ordinance requirement, then staff would recommend the lighting be replaced as so. A revised Lighting Plan indicating the foot candle readings at the center line of each street and meets Ordinance requirements shall be submitted. Trash. As shown on the submitted site plan, trash receptacles are to be located within an enclosure attached on the southeast corner of the building. The colored elevations illustrate that the enclosure is to be constructed of materials similar that used on the balance of the building. An overhead garage door appears to be proposed on the elevations, which is preferable to utilizing gates that would disrupt the adjacent sidewalk. Loading. A specific loading area has not been illustrated on the site plan. According to the ordinance, commercial buildings must provide at least one loading berth. As a condition of PUD permit approval, loading and delivery information should be identified on the site plan. Grading Drainage and Utilities. Issues related to site grading, drainage and utilities should be subject to comment and recommendation by the City Engineer. 4