PC Packet 04.27.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Western Spring Site Plan Page 3 Landscaping and Lighting Section 90-181 of the Zoning Ordinance provides landscaping requirements for industrial developments. In order to meet the landscape requirements for the proposed site, 21 overstory deciduous trees, 18 coniferous trees, 18 ornamental trees, and 122 shrubs would be required to be installed. The applicant has proposed 21 overstory deciduous trees, 18 coniferous trees, 18 ornamental trees, and 129 shrubs. Staff has had discussions with the applicant about further screening the loading docks and the dust collector. The applicant has proposed revising the landscape plan to show the relocation and addition of trees to adequately screen these areas. With this proposal, the applicant will be required to update the landscape plan to show these changes. Staff has added this as a condition of approval. The ordinance requires lighting to consist of cut-off fixtures and for light cast on adjacent property and roads not to exceed 1/2 foot candle measured at the property line or 1 foot candle measured at the street's centerline. The applicant has proposed wall mounted light fixtures on the building. The proposed lighting plan meets ordinance requirements. Mechanical Equipment Screening The proposed ground -mounted mechanical equipment includes an electrical transformer box located at the northwest side of the building and a dust collector located at the northeast side of the building. The applicant is proposing to screen the units by planting shrubs adjacent to the equipment and evergreen trees to further help screen the dust collector from the adjacent north property. Screening the ground -mounted mechanical equipment with landscaping is more appropriate because it allows necessary ventilation and accessibility for maintenance. Staff is comfortable with the proposed method for screening the ground -mounted mechanical equipment. The Commercial and Industrial Design Guidelines require all roof top mechanical equipment to be screened from view of adjacent properties. Screening may include parapet walls or other architecturally integrated elements. Wood fencing or chain link with or without slats shall not be used for screening. The applicant has shown proposed locations for roof top mechanical equipment and has stated the equipment would not be easily seen from the surrounding properties from the illustrations they have completed. Staff has concerns that the proposed method of screening the roof top mechanical equipment will not adequately screen the equipment from view of adjacent properties. Because of a sloped roof, the currently proposed parapet is three (3) feet from the roof line at the south elevation and a few inches from the roof line at the north and west elevation. Staff is concerned about the proposed parapet not providing screening specifically on the north and west elevations. It is in staff's opinion that the parapet wall should be raised or some architecturally integrated element proposed to adequately screen the roof top mechanical equipment. Staff will have a condition in the resolution that if the proposal the applicant has shown to screen the roof top mechanical equipment does not actually screen the equipment that the applicant will have to provide screening by another method before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.