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• IN TER <br /> MEMO <br /> OF F ICE <br /> To: Mayor and City Council <br /> From: Pamela Sheldon, Community Development Director <br /> Subject: Landscaping at Spots Quick Lube <br /> Date: August 8, 1997 <br /> We have investigated the situation with the landscaping at Spots Quick Lube, 2975 Highway 10. <br /> The site plan approved by Planning Commission and City Council called for spruce trees five feet <br /> in height. The applicant thought what was meant was five feet from the bottom of the root ball, <br /> which meant that the trees were three feet from ground level after being planted. The typical <br /> practice by landscape designers and contractors, and the practice familiar to staff, is to measure <br /> from the top of the root ball. Staff has checked with the City Forester to learn how soon the trees <br /> will grow to five feet above ground, if they are now three feet. Rick Wriskey thought it would <br /> • take 1-2 growing seasons from this year; i.e. probably two years. He also noted it would help <br /> speed the growth of the trees if they were mulched and watered. <br /> Now that the site is planted, the question is whether or not to require the applicant to remove all <br /> the spruce trees and replace them with five foot trees, measured from the top of the root ball. <br /> Staff asked Planning Commission for their recommendation on this issue at their meeting on <br /> August 6. The six members present were unanimous in saying that the trees should be left as is, <br /> and allow them to grow to the required height, rather than requiring replacement. They felt that it <br /> would be an excessive cost to a new business, and the site looks beautiful compared to what it <br /> used to look like. The business owner has commented that many nearby residents and his <br /> customers have commented how pleased they are with how the site looks. <br /> Action Requested: Staff is seeking direction from City Council on whether to allow the spruce <br /> trees on the Spots Quick Lube property to remain as is, with a commitment from the property <br /> owner to mulch and water them, or require them to be removed and replaced. <br /> Meanwhile, staff will be more explicit in plan approvals on how coniferous trees are to be <br /> measured. <br /> N:\DATA\GROUPS\COMDEV\DEVCASES1472-97\TREES.MEM <br />