HomeMy WebLinkAboutWOODWARD TECHNOLOGY CENTER (FORMERLY LINK-N-GREENS) - PDP - PDP130001 - REPORTS - RECOMMENDATION/REPORT W/ATTACHMENTS (19)Request for Alternative Compliance with 3.2.1(D)(4) regarding
Tree Species and Minimum Sizes
Link-n-Greens PDP
January 30, 2013
Concurrent with the Link-n-Greens PDP, we would like to request the following Alternative Compliance
allowed by Section 3.2.1(N), concerning Section 3.2.1(D)(4) regarding Tree Species and Minimum Sizes.
Current Standard
3.2.1(D)(4) Tree Species and Minimum Sizes - The Director shall provide a recommended list of trees
which shall be acceptable to satisfy the requirements for landscape plans, including approved canopy
shade trees that may be used as street trees. The following minimum sizes shall be required (except as
provided in subparagraph (5) below):
Type Minimum Size
Canopy Shade Tree 2.0" caliper balled and burlapped or equivalent
Evergreen Tree 6.0' height balled and burlapped or equivalent
Ornamental Tree 1.5" caliper balled and burlapped or equivalent
Shrubs 5 gallon or adequate size consistent with design intent
Canopy Shade Tree
as a street tree on a
Residential Local
Street Only
1.25" caliper container or equivalent
Any tree plantings that are in addition to those that are made as part of the approved landscape plan
are exempt from the foregoing size requirements.
Description of need for Alternative Compliance
The Link-N-Greens development team has partnered with the City of Fort Collins to develop a
comprehensive approach to the restoration and enhancement of the Poudre River habitat adjacent to
the Link-N-Greens campus development areas. Multiple city departments engaged in this discussion
including Natural Resources, Planning, Floodplain Administration, and Parks. Through these discussions
the Applicant has approached both the development of the property and the river restoration in a
holistic manner based on the river flow conditions, existing landscape, historic river conditions, and the
vision for the future development of the Lincoln Triangle area.
City Staff from the Natural Resources Department have expressed a desire to design this river
restoration area to achieve more natural topographic and river flow conditions within the buffer zone
and to create and expand native wetlands, floodplain cottonwood woodlands, and upland shrublands
and grasslands within the buffer zone and the extended riparian restoration area. As a result, we are
proposing a variation of tree and shrub sizes to accomplish a more natural condition rather than a the
uniform sizing generally associated with a developed condition. The sizes and species proposed are
similar to those used by Natural Resources Department in city Natural Areas restoration projects, and
include a combination of B&B trees, container trees and shrubs, flats and plugs.
As a result, we would like to request the ability to use a combination and variety of plant sizes
resulting in the use of some smaller plant materials than the minimum sizes indicated in this Section.
Specific findings for the Alternative Compliance Request
• The plan will equally well or better accomplish the purpose of this Section than would a plan
which complies with the standards of this Section.
o Since the goals for restoration of this area are to achieve a more natural condition, use
of the size variety including smaller plants better accomplishes the purpose of this
Section.