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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUPTOWN PLAZA - PDP - PDP130025 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 3 - LANDSCAPE PLANGreenscape Designs LLC | 1501 Academy Ct. Suite 202 Fort Collins, CO 80524 | 970.631.2822 PLANNING | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 27 February 2014 City of Fort Collins Seth E. Lorson, AICP | City Planner 281 N. College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80522 RE: Uptown Plaza Mr. Lorson- I am submitting herein the revised PDP Landscape Plan sheets for Uptown Plaza on Elizabeth Street in Fort Collins. Below you will find responses to comments submitted by the City of Fort Collins Staff on 2/14/14: 1. Street trees have been placed in tree grates. 2. Existing street lights have been depicted on the Landscape Plans. We are proposing that the light at the NW corner of the plaza be relocated 2.75’ south and 1.85’ west (see PDP-L1) 3. Half circle planters along Elizabeth have been replaced with tree grates to keep the ROW clear for pedestrians. Additionally, sidewalk scoring has been added which identifies the edge of the ROW. 4. Tree grates in ROW are 5’ square. Proposing the use of Ironsmith Bond style grate. 5’ circular grates in the same style are being proposed for the plaza area to compliment the paving pattern. 5. In response to the comments on page 5 regarding retaining existing trees we have contracted with a certified arborist whose official report is enclosed with the PDP documents. In summary, all four Green Ash trees are being removed due to several conditions with the most prominent being the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer. The prescriptive measures to protect Tree #4, a Honeylocust, were not achievable given the required 12’ wide sidewalk along Elizabeth therefore this tree will not be retained. Similarly, #8, a White Ash, which has been deemed not terribly desirable per City Forester, is too constrained by the new sidewalk along the eastern property line to achieve the prescriptive protection distances therefore is not proposed for retention. Greenscape Designs LLC | 1501 Academy Ct. Suite 202 Fort Collins, CO 80524 | 970.631.2822 PLANNING | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 6. Additional notes and information have been added to the plans regarding proper protection, pruning and evaluation measures for the remaining trees to be retained. 7. The contracted Arborist will be retained throughout the construction process to monitor treatment of the existing trees to remain as well as evaluate their condition following construction. 8. The following note has been added to the plans “All pruning and removal of existing trees shall be provided by a business that holds a current City of Fort Collins Arborist License as required by code”. 9. Notes regarding separation of trees from utilities and street lights as well as street tree survival/replacement have been added to PDP-L1. 10. Additional planting notes regarding plant quality, substitutions, installations methods and approval/acceptance of plants and locations will be added to the FDP plan set. 11. An Autumn Blaze Pear has been added to the NW planter at a distance just over 15’ from the relocated street light which appears to meet code requirements/restrictions. 12. The tree located in the café plaza is proposed to be a gingko and has been added to the plant list. All of the symbols in the plant legend have been updated as they were out of order previously. Please contact me at 970.631.2822 if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely- Jennifer M. Gardner ASLA, RLA PRINCIPAL + OWNER ENCL: Revised PDP-L1 and PDP-L2, Arborist’s tree report THE HORTICULTURE CONSULTANT 23370 CR3 • Loveland, Colorado 80537 • (970) 407-8695 Feb 27, 2014 To: Jennifer Gardner / Owner Greenscape Designs Re: Tree Report for Uptown Plaza Project Development Plan UPTOWN PLAZA TREE REPORT This tree report evaluates the designated ‘trees to remain’ through development of Uptown Plaza at 1501 West Elizabeth Street, Fort Collins, Colorado. It evaluates construction impact to each of the existing trees and the likelihood of each trees survival and describes design modifications recommended to reduce construction impact to the trees. It will also identify if there are any designated ‘trees to remain’ whose retention may not be advised due to construction damage or for other reasons. It will also provide recommended maintenance steps and practices for existing trees after construction. Only trees designated to remain are evaluated below. The tree number, size, type, and condition information was obtained from the Existing Tree Plan + Planting Details provided by Greenscape Designs. Pruning recommendations are to occur before construction to assist in the identification of future construction caused damage. Chart below was referenced to calculate the optimal tree protection zone for each tree. Optimal Tree Protection Zone * Species species tolerance age distance from trunk to be protected per inch of trunk diameter Honeylocust good mature 0.75' Green ash moderate mature 1.0' White ash moderate-good mature 0.875' Austrian pine good mature 0.75' * From Trees and Development - A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees During Land Development by Nelda Matheny and James R. Clark © 1998 International Society of Arboriculture #2 – 11” Green ash (fair�good) – This tree is comprised of two large codominant stems vulnerable to breaking at the point of attachment when heavily loaded with snow. The construction plan indicates this tree will be surrounded by an unspecified size tree grate and pedestrian hardscape. Due to the pedestrian target this tree will pose a hazard during weather events that may lead to breakage. The optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 11’. Future Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment will likely be required during the lifespan of this tree. EAB an aggressive and lethal pest of ash was detected in Boulder County in September 2013. Predictions based on past experience indicate that it could be active in Fort Collins within the decade. Yearly or bi-yearly treatment will be required for any ash to be kept alive once EAB has established and become epidemic in Fort Collins. Prudent economical and environmental practices indicate that it will be appropriate to treat only specimen and high value ash trees. This tree is not a specimen or high value and future required EAB treatment will be difficult to administer and efficacy will likely be compromised due to ongoing site stress. It is recommended that this tree be removed. #3 – 12” Green ash (fair�good) – This tree contains a 5” diameter low limb requiring removal if this tree is retained as well as extensive removal of broken limbs including one in a terminal position. The construction plan indicates an unspecified size tree grate and pedestrian hardscape surrounding this tree. The optimal protection zone for this tree is 12’. Future EAB treatment will likely be required during the lifespan of this tree. This tree is not a specimen or high value and required EAB treatment will be difficult to administer and efficacy will likely be compromised due to ongoing site stress. It is recommended that this tree be removed. #4 – 12” Honeylocust (fair) – This tree contains a north facing branch stub requiring proper pruning to the main trunk as well as a crown cleaning. This tree will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that there will be a raised terrace wall 3.5’ south of the outside of bark (oob) with a concrete plaza beyond and a wide concrete walk 5’ north of the oob. The optimal protection zone for this tree is 9’ hence recommended design modifications would be to enlarge the bed area to eliminate soil disturbtion or change in elevation in the 9’ distance from oob. During construction the 9’ distance from oob is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. Design modifications and protection that allow for this 9’ undisturbed distance will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #8 – 16” White ash (fair�good) – This tree which requires a crown cleaning and removal of a low lateral to improve clearance will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that there will be a raised terrace wall 6’ west of the oob with a concrete plaza beyond and a concrete walk 2’ east of the oob. The optimal protection zone for this tree is 14’. The preferred design modification to enlarge the bed area and eliminate soil disruption or changes in elevation in the 14’ distance from oob will not be possible on the west side due to proximity of building and need for pedestrian clearance. Recommended design modifications would be to eliminate the sidewalk south of the tree and enlarge the bed to the north to ≥14’ from oob. During construction the designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. Design modifications and protection for this undisturbed area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree although it is not optimum. #12 – 15” Honeylocust (fair) – This tree will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that the rectangular bed will extend 9’ west, 13’ north, 14’ east and 26’ south of the oob. There are no recommended design modifications although the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 11.25’. During construction the designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. Ample planting bed space and protection for this undisturbed area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #13 – 12” Honeylocust (fair) – This tree will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that the rectangular bed will extend 7’ west, 30’ north, 15’ east and 9’ south of the oob. There are no recommended design modifications although the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9’. During construction the designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. Ample planting bed space and protection for this undisturbed area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree #18 – 13” Austrian pine (fair) – This tree will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that the closest disturbed bed edge is 10’ east of oob. There are no recommended design modifications as the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9.75’. During construction the entire designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. No disturbance of and protection for this area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #19 – 15” Austrian pine (fair�good) – This tree will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates that the closest disturbed bed edge is 17’ northeast of oob. There are no recommended design modifications as the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 11.25’. During construction the entire designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. No disturbance of and protection for this area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #20 – 13” Honeylocust (fair) – This tree which requires a crown cleaning will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicated the closest disturbed new bed edge is 16’ east of oob. The existing sidewalk is already 4’ west of oob. The south edge is undisturbed and it is 28’ to the north bed edge. There are no recommended design modifications as the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9.75’. During construction the entire designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. No disturbance of and protection for this area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #21 – 12” Honeylocust (poor) – This tree which requires a crown cleaning will be in a planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates the closest disturbed new bed edge is 6’ east of oob. The existing sidewalk is 11’ west of oob. The south edge is undisturbed and it is 18’ to the disturbed north bed edge. There are no recommended design modifications although the optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9’. During construction the entire designated bed area is to be fenced to keep all construction equipment off of this root zone area. Ample planting bed space and protection for this undisturbed area will greatly enhance the survivability of this tree. #22 – 14” Green ash (fair�poor) – If retained this tree requires a crown cleaning and directional pruning on the east side to remove and head canopy away from conflict with proposed building. This tree will be in a small planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates the building is 5’ east, the closest bed edge is 5’ north of oob, and the remaining existing bed edge is 7’ from oob. The optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 14’. It will be required that approx. 1/3 of the canopy be removed to eliminate conflict with the proposed building. Future EAB treatment will likely be required during the lifespan of this tree. This tree is not a specimen or high value and required EAB treatment will be difficult to administer and efficacy will likely be compromised due to ongoing site stress. It is recommended that this tree be removed. #23 – 9” Green ash (good) – If retained this tree requires a crown cleaning and directional pruning on the east side to remove and head canopy away from conflict with proposed building. This tree will be in a small planting bed at the existing grade elevation after construction. The construction plan indicates the u-shaped building outline is 7’ north, 6’ east, and 12’ south of the tree, the closest bed edge is 3’ west of oob, and the remaining existing bed edge is 13’ from oob. The optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9’. It will be required that approx. 1/3 of the canopy be removed to eliminate conflict with the proposed building. Future EAB treatment will likely be required during the lifespan of this tree. This tree is not a specimen or high value and required EAB treatment will be difficult to administer and efficacy will likely be com- promised due to ongoing site stress. It is recommended that this tree be removed. #24 – 13” Austrian pine (fair) – This tree has a surface girdling root that may cause stress on the tree in the future if not already. The construction plan indicates that asphalt paving will be coming within 2’ of the north side of the tree. No other side will be disrupted. The optimal tree protection zone for this tree is 9.75’. If the parking lot cannot be altered to accommodate a clearance of ≥ 9’ it is recommended this tree be removed. #25 – 15” Austrian pine (fair) – This tree has a surface girdling root that may cause stress on the tree in the future if not already. The construction plan indicates that asphalt paving will be coming within 2’ of the north side of the tree. No other side will be disrupted. If the parking lot cannot be altered to accommodate a clearance of ≥ 9’ it is recommended this tree be removed. Recommended maintenance steps and practices for trees to remain after construction - A post construction evaluation is to take place to identify construction impacts on the remaining trees. - A report is to be generated from that evaluation that specifies individual actions to be taken for specific trees such as additional pruning, changes in grade, etc - All trees from that point are to receive: o Irrigations that wet the entire root zone and allowed to dry out between irrigations. o Annual inspections to determine pruning requirements o 3-4” of organic mulch beneath the canopy (1-2” against the tree trunk) Please contact me with any questions, Loretta Mannix The Horticulture Consultant BS Landscape Horticulture MS Entomology ISA Certified Arborist