HomeMy WebLinkAboutLDS TEMPLE - PDP - PDP120029 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - MODIFICATION REQUESTFort Collins LDS Temple
Preliminary Design Submittal – Resubmittal
Modification of Standard Request
12‐21‐2012
The project requests a modification to the following standard:
Section 3.2.2(E)(5) Parking Lot Interior Landscaping
(5) Parking Lot Interior Landscaping. As required in Section 3.2.2(M)(1) Access, Circulation and Parking,
six (6) percent of the interior space of all parking lots with less than one hundred (100) spaces, and ten
(10) percent of the interior space of all parking lots with one hundred (100) spaces or more shall be
landscape areas. (See Figure 1). All parking lot islands, connecting walkways through parking lots and
driveways through or to parking lots shall be landscaped according to the following standards:
(b) Maximized Area of Shading. Landscaped islands shall be evenly distributed to the maximum extent
feasible. At a minimum, trees shall be planted at a ratio of at least one (1) canopy shade tree per one
hundred fifty (150) square feet of internal landscaped area with a landscaped surface of turf, ground
cover perennials or mulched shrub plantings.
(c) Landscaped Islands. In addition to any pedestrian refuge areas, each landscaped island shall include
one (1) or more canopy shade trees, be of length greater than eight (8) feet in its smallest dimension,
include at least eighty (80) square feet of ground area per tree to allow for root aeration, and have
raised concrete curbs.
Requested Modification:
The project requests a modification to the standard to permit the planting of ornamental trees in select
interior planting areas on a central axis leading to the temple building, instead of canopy shade trees.
Justification for the Modification Request:
The project submits that the proposed ornamental tree plantings as submitted will (1) promote the
general purpose of the standard equally well and, (2) is a nominal divergence from the standard when
viewed in context of the entire parking area for the development.
Regarding point 1, the intent of the standard is to provide comfort and visual relief. The ornamental
trees will provide shade for pedestrians on the walkways; and their location along the central drive will
not significantly reduce shading for cars in the parking stalls over what a canopy tree might provide. In
addition, the introduction of an ornamental tree will provide visual relief from the adjacent masses of
canopy trees in addition to relief from the asphalt expanse of the parking lot. The different form,
structure, and size of the ornamental trees will also enhance way finding in the parking lot, potentially
creating a safer environment.
Regarding point 2, more internal landscape area (15%) is provided than the 10% required by code. We
do not claim that the 5% increase in landscape area is all accounted for where ornamental trees are
planted. However, the fact that additional landscape area is provided means that the total amount of
canopy shade trees in the parking lot is that much closer to what is required by the standard.