1994-07-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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\ - . . The extra trees would take up existing parking spaces which the church needs. The church accepts the alternative suggested by Mr. Goldman of the City Planning Department that involves the church preparing the ground along the north edge of the church property that abuts the Car- X parking lot and the City installing trees there. The church will accept the responsibility of maintaining the trees installed by the City. 7-27-94 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 The Vice Chairperson called on Al Goldman, Director of Planning to provide the staff report. Mr. Goldman stated that the original Conditional Use was approved by the City Council on September 14, 1992 with condition #2 that states: "A detailed landscaping plan shall be submitted to the Director of Planning for review and approval. Trees shall be planted along Morgan, and at least two freestanding trees shall be planted in tree pits located in the center row of parking. Landscaping shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the approved plan. " With respect to Condition No.2, the City planted trees along Morgan with the understanding that the church would remove the Siberian elm trees (which are weed trees) and plant a large tree near North & South Boulevard where one of the Siberian elms is removed. Higher Heights has asked the staff to waive the tree pits requirement and have been told that it can only be waived by the City Council as an amendment to the conditional use permit. At its June meeting the Plan Commission discussed the need for a row of trees on the north edge of the church property that abuts the Car-X parking lot. Planting trees in this area will serve to reduce some of the glare and heat from the church parking lot and can be a reasonable substitute for the tree pits specified for the center portion of the lot. Since the City is participating in the landscaping work needed to clean up the North & South and Olive intersection, it could also be asked to provide the trees for this area. Before the trees are planted, the church should straighten up the north edge of the parking lot paving to create a single planting strip approximately 8 feet wide. Mr. Goldman recommends that Conditional Use Permit #307 be amended by changing Condition No.2 to read as follows: 2) Straighten up the north edge of the parking lot paving to create a single planting strip approximately 8 feet wide by 142 feet long, removing any paving, gravel or stones from this area. Permit the City to plant trees in this area. Remove the Siberian elms at the parking lot entrance at Riegert and at North & South, and replace with a tree on North & South with a 2 inch minimum caliper tree, selecting from list of suitable trees obtained from the City Forester. Agree to water and maintain the trees planted by the City. The Vice Chairperson opened the public hearing and asked for testimony from the public. No members of the public indicated a desire to speak, so the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed. Mr. Solodar stated that he is in favor of the amendment as proposed by Mr. Goldman but feels that the church took too long requesting the amendment. Over two years have passed since the original permit was granted and there has been no action by the church. Ms. Battle Turner replied that the church has had financial difficulties and has been spending most of their time trying to comply with building code violations in order to gain a permanent OCcupancy permit. m-7-27.plc -