HomeMy WebLinkAboutCENTERPOINT PLAZA REPLAT - PDP - 35-01C - CORRESPONDENCE - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUESTL a n d a c a p e A r c h i t e c t u r e
S i t e P :Lk n n i n g
G r a p h i s
August 17, 2007
Steve Olt
City of Fort Collins - Zoning
281 North College
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Dear Steve,
Per our review of the Centerpoint Plaza Replat landscape plan August 16, 2007, the purpose of this communication
is to request an alternative compliance approval for the Fort Collins Land Use Code (LUC) 3.2.1(E)(4) Parking Lot
Perimeter Landscaping and 3.2.1(E)(5) Parking Lot Interior Landscaping as applicable to the Centerpoint Plaza
Replat PDP application.
Specifically, the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) owns an access, height restriction and no -build easement
along the south property line. Tom McCormick, system design engineer for PRPA, has advised the developer that
any ornamental or canopy trees planted within this easement will be removed.
The LUC 3.2.1(N) allows for alternative compliance to the parking lot landscape requirements. To support the
alternative compliance, the proposed landscape plan outside the PRPA easement has been modified as follows:
1. LUC 3.2.1(Ex5) requires 6% of the interior space of all parking lots with less than 100 spaces be landscape
area. The PDP site plan provides 2,093 square feet of landscape area in the 29,617 square foot of parking
space. This is 7.1 %, exceeding the 6% requirement.
2. LUC 3.2.1(E)(4) would require 5.25 canopy trees along the 210' parking area facing Timberline Road. A
dense planting of 2 canopy, 6 ornamental, and 1 coniferous tree has been provided on the perimeter of the
detention pond located in the center of the parking area.
3. Two canopy trees required by LUC 3.2.1(E)(4) have been replaced by ornamental trees within the height
restricted easement in the landscape islands adjacent to the 6 parking spaces south of the proposed building.
4. As required by LUC3.2.I (E)(4) — the parking areas will be screened from Timberline Road. The area of
screening is hatched on the PDP landscape plan to illustrate this screening.
Relative to the considerations identified in LUC 3.2.1(N):
1. The proposed alternative plan retains the majority of the existing trees associated with Lot 1. There are a
total of 29 trees on or adjacent to lot 1. Three trees will be removed that conflict with the proposed
building foundation.
2. This site does not contain significant natural areas or features that require protection.
3. The proposed alternative plan maximizes tree canopy cover to the extent permitted by the PRPA height
restriction. 2 canopy, 6 ornamental and 1 coniferous tree has been provided on the perimeter of the
detention pond located in the center of the parking area as a key element as alternative compliance for LUC
3.2.1(E)(4) which would require 5.25 canopy trees along the 210' parking area facing Timberline Road..
4. The proposed plan does enhance the neighborhood continuity and connectivity by providing additional
pedestrian access to Timberline Road and pedestrian access to/from the existing building on site.
5. The proposed plan increases the opportunity to foster non -vehicular access as a result of the additional
concentration of floor space served by public transportation.
nicer
Don iller
1++ North Mason Street Suite 2 e Fort Collins, ColoraJo 80524
(970) +72-9125 0 rax: (970) 494-0728