11/09/2005 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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YMCA, page 5 Landscaping Requirements lits previously mentioned in the Parking section of the report, the site plan indicates a total of 176 parking spaces for this phase of the development. This means that the 23 trees provided throughout the lot exceeds the requirement of 1 tree for every 10 parking spaces. The parking lot on the north side of the building abuts Village Drive and therefore must provide additional screening. The applicant is proposing to meet the requirements of the design standards with a hedgerow of trees spaces 30 feet on center, with additional shrubbery. Staff is concerned that the shrubs chosen will not effectively screen the cars from view or the intrusion of headlight beams across the street into the residential portion of the site. Therefore staff is recommending that the shrub type be revised to a salt - tolerant shrub that will provide a year round screen measuring a minimum of 2 feet high at time of planting and a minimum of 4 feet high at maturity. Though the parking lot does not exceed the 300 space threshold to require a `connecting walkway' through the parking lot, a `connecting walkway' has always been indicated on the development plan for this site. The proposed connection meets the requirement for width, but it does not meet the requirements that the paving be decorative or that there be shade trees planted 25 feet on center. Additionally, the lighting fixtures are not properly identified so they must be reviewed for conformance. The YMCA site is proposed to use some innovative stormwater infiltration tanks as part of the on -site drainage plan. The location of these infiltration tanks is the south end of the parking lot; therefore the landscaping islands that are over these tanks cannot have trees in them as they would cause potential damage to the tanks. As such the Environmental Board has requested that these islands be integrated into the infiltration plan by being depressed with a rain garden -type landscape. The City's engineering consultant (S.E.H.) is evaluating is proposal to determine if it is feasible. Since this is a very `urban' development the implementation of a rain arden -type landscape will need to be heavily scrutinized. Staff is currently researching and developing a seed mix/planting pattern that will excel in both form and function. The south side of the site adjoins the County Park area and since some tree removal was necessary to complete grading and the construction of the retaining wall to allow eventual construction on this portion of the site; additional landscaping in the form of mixed Oak, Hackberry, Green Ash, Cherry and Red Maple trees should be added. As part of the land exchange to the YMCA the city is requiring the dedication of a conservation easement. The location of this easement has not been finalized. A tree preservation plan must be submitted by the YMCA to assist in the definition of this easement and to verify that significant specimens are properly protected throughout construction. The following landscape material changes are being requested by the Environmental Board: • Substitute Northern Pin Oak for Autumn Blaze Maples in some but not all locations. • Substitute White and/or Bur Oak for the Fall Gold Ash. • Substitute Red and White Pine for the Scotch and Austrian Pines. • Substitute Oaks for the Willows. The planting and maintenance of the restoration areas south of the trail shall be coordinated with the city's •mprovements on the site. As always, all landscaped and sodded areas must be irrigated.