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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ASPEN STATON - 34 91 - CORRESPONDENCE - STAFF'S PROJECT COMMENTS (2)Developi nt Services Planning Department City of Fort Collins April 3, 1991 Mr. Russ Nelson Merrick & Company P.O. Box 22026 Denver, CO. 80222 Dear Mr. Nelson: Thank you for providing our office with a preliminary (30% submittal) landscape plan for the proposed U.S. Postal Service facility. The following comments are offered to assist you in preparing final plans: 1. The asphalt parking areas that frame the south and west sides of the building represent a very significant portion of the site. In addition, this area also represents practically the entire frontage along J.F.K. Parkway. The parking area could be enhanced by interior landscaping. The rock mulch areas could be planted with • shrub material that, after establishment, require very little maintenance. The ends of parking bays could be framed by landscaped islands that feature a combination of shade trees and shrubs to cover. Large asphalt areas that are not softened with landscape materials become very unpleasant and attract litter, trash, and debris. Parking lots that are landscaped inspire better maintenance and long term care. During the summer months, a large parking lot without landscaping becomes oppressive and ----very uncomfortable. , Please be aware that__ under the requirements of the Zoning Code (from which the U.S.P.S. is exempt)_ parking lots must be landscaped with a minimum of 6% of the total parking lot area. 2. If snow plowing is a concern, please note that a snowfall will naturally follow the contours of the raised curbing and shrub beds and be distinct from the asphalt surface. Snow plowing is accomplished quite easily in larger commercial parking lots that feature landscaped islands. Snowfalls of under four inches are usually not plowed. Snowfalls are generally rare relative to the value of providing landscaping throughout our growing season. 3. The northerly elevation and entry area should be treated with a more generous amount of landscape materials. As shown, only five ornamental trees are indicated. Surly a building that has a northerly elevation that is 18,0 feet long deserves more 281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6750 than five ornamental trees. Foundation plantings and an occasional evergreen tree would greatly enhance that portion of the building that will be most visible by the postal customers. Foundation plantings provide a contrast to the vertical walls and keep the building in perspective to the human scale. 4. The entry from Boardwalk Drive relies too much on groundcover. This may require an inordinate amount of maintenance. This area would lend itself well to a more diverse mix of materials to :provide an entry statement and, after establishment, require less long term maintenance. Proper sight distances are still attainable without sole reliance on ground cover. 5. Screenwalls should be treated with foundation plantings as well as upright trees. You are encouraged to look at berming screen walls to minimize the impact. 6. The detention area could be upgraded to include more plantings. In addition, this area could be used. for picnic tables for breaks or lunch. The City of Fort Collins Stormwater Utility has begun placing additional landscaping and picnic tables in City owned detention ponds to encourage multi -use and to add interest to large, sparse areas. During a storm, no one will be outside anyway so there is no danger of any liability. During fair weather, the pond could be used for the enjoyment of employees, and help screen the truck and loading area from the existing homes. 7. Staff is concerned that the triangular out parcel on the south could become a "no -mans -land". It is doubtful that this property could be developed. You are strongly encouraged to investigate purchase of this property or seek a donation for a tax benefit. Otherwise, this area could become an unmaintained eyesore that detracts from your site. 8. Perimeter security fencing should be vinyl clad with a black or green treatment. This helps reduce. the institutional character of the site. 9. Staff remains concerned about barbed wire on the fencing. We have repeatedly urged that all barbed wire be deleted as being totally out of character with, the area. The lack of fencing at the downtown facility raises the question of the need for barbed wire in this location. You are strongly encouraged to discuss deleting the barbed wire with the appropriate security people. We believe that Fort Collins crime rates do not warrant such an extreme security measure. 10. The location of the electrical transformer should be such that it is out of view from the public streets and customer parking areas. The transformer should be screened by an enclosure that meets the clearances of the Light and Power Department. Please do not spend valuable assets 'on street tree. plantings, and then place the transformer along .the street. The transformer must be accessible from one side by hard surface for maintenance. The transformer location should be coordinated with Light and Power and consider aesthetic impacts. Transformers are large and somewhat dangerous, please do not.locate as an afterthought. 11. Please consider creating an attractive, secure, illuminated, and protected area for bicycle commuters. Citizens in Fort Collins have expressed a very strong interest in being able to bike to work. The Transportation Department is currently revising the Master Street Plan to explore ways to add bicycle commuter lanes. Large employers are encouraged to provide an attractive place for bike commuters to park. 12. The final landscape plan should specify that deciduous shade trees be a minimum caliper of two inches, evergreen trees be six to eight feet, and shrubs be a minimum of five gallon capacity. Shade trees on the street should be kept 40 feet away from a streetlight. Ornamental trees may be placed up to 15 feet of a streetlight. 13. The landscape Plan should state that all plant material must meet specifications of the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) for Number One Grade. All trees must be balled and burlaped or equivalent. 14. In general, the landscaped areas should constitute 12% to 17% of the site's total area, depending upon design objectives, and intensity or quantity of planting materials. This concludes our comments on the preliminary (30% submittal) landscape plan. Thank you for allowing us to review and offer our suggestions. If you have any questions, the City has an arborist and water conservation officer available to provide information. (The arborist may have information on our local climate that may not otherwise be available.) Please let us know if we can be of assistance.' - Sincerely: Ted Shepard City Planner cc: Tim Buchanan, City Forester