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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOSSIL LAKE P.U.D., SECOND FILING - COUNTY APPROVAL - 33-01E - CORRESPONDENCE - OTHER JURISDICTIONS (5)d. Technical Issues: 1. Not all plant materials are shown at mature size. Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) and Shademaster Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) are all shown as considerably smaller then they would be at maturity. When plant materials are shown at mature size, the full impact and quality of a proposed plan is more clearly understood. It is also necessary in order to calculate the correct number of plants needed in to provide the desired coverage. Staff recommends the applicant revise the plat to show plants at mature size. 2. Tree Staking: The graphic for tree staking shows the lines from the tree to the stake to be stretched tightly. While this may be a common practice, but it is no longer considered preferable by many professionals. Trees of this caliper 3. Lot 6, Sheet 2, shows overlapping building envelope onto access easement STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the proposed landscaping overall. The above mentioned issues address either compliance with the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) or minor technical requirements. Staff recommends approval of the landscaping plan for the Fossil Lake PUD, subject to the following condition; The applicant shall revise the landscaping plan to fully comply with the requirements of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). This shall include the provision of streetscape, parking lot and commercial area landscaping as found in Appendix 1 of that agreement. 2. The revised plan will show plant materials at a mature size, and correctly identify species in the plant list. The applicant shall revise the staking graphic to address the comments above, i.e. lines will not be stretched tightly, and one stake will be used unless site conditions require multiple stakes. 4. The applicant shall add a note to the landscaping plat to state that tree stakes will be removed no later then one year after planting, unless the stake is needed for additional stability. April 28, 2000 Fm: Sean M. Wheeler, Planner II / Landscape Architect To: Russ Legg, Chief Planner Project: Fossil Lake PUD The following comments relate to the landscaping proposed for the above project. Staff evaluated the project in terms of its consistency with the requirements found in the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Urban Growth area with the City of Fort Collins. MAJOR CONCERNS AND ISSUES: a. Overall Plant Materials: The applicant's plant list contains species that are suited to the site and the area. The applicant has also placed the plants appropriately, in terms of the individual species known requirements for exposure to the sun and other elements. Properly cared for, this landscaping should be healthy and have a normal lifespan. b. Commercial Area Buffering: The use on Tract A, Sheet 5 is not identified on the plan. If this area is to be commercial in nature, the design did not provide for any buffering between it and the residential area to the east or south. Section I-32 of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area details the requirements for buffering between dissimilar uses and activities. Commercial areas are clearly dissimilar to residential areas and are subject to this requirement. Staff recommends the applicant revise the planting plan to provide for appropriate buffering around Tract A, if it is to be anything other then residential or openspace in nature. c. Streetscape: Page I-30 of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area states that "all developments shall establish groves and belts of trees along all streets..." The section also provides specific information on the standards required for compliance with the Intergovernmental Agreement. The internal streets of this project do not comply with this portion of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Staff recommends the applicant revise the landscaping plan accordingly. The design of streetscape areas should incorporate a mix of understory plantings including shrubs, ground covers, native grasses and perennial beds. Turf areas should be made up of a drought tolerant grass mix that is specifically designed for use in this area. Pure strains of Kentucky Blue Grass are inappropriate as they waste resources.