06/10/2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Moreno, president of Mercedes Benz, said the automotive industry was going through critical changes and they are trying to anticipate changes which may still arise. Until future opportunities arise, the medical office and Saab building modifications are on hold. The goal is to complete a modified plan to clean up the site. He was recently awarded a Fisker franchise, which is a company that produces an electrical vehicle. Once the 50-mile electric range is exceeded, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle. He has not yet received franchise requirements so he is not sure what building changes will be required. Work which has been completed includes a 10 foot fence along the border of the property which disturbed natural vegetation. The area behind the Realty One and medical building will be cleaned and seeded to create green space. In front of the Realty One building they will duplicate the site improvements which were completed in front of Mercedes/Porsche including landscaping, pavers and light poles as approved. The parking lot will be surfaced to clean it up and an internal entrance added to connect the sites. The Saab parking lot will be surfaced, front landscaping added and lighting added as previously approved. The two parking spaces the planner requested will be removed and planted. Mr. Malone asked if the north side of the property near the catch basin continuing east would be landscaped as previously approved. Mr. Moreno said that the fencing was added and he would prefer to not install the proposed landscaping along the exterior (residential) side of the fence as it creates issues trying to maintain the plants. Mr. Malone questioned if neighbors were advised of the landscaping being eliminated or if they were asked if they would be willing to maintain the plants once planted. Although the landscaping only benefited the abutting neighbors he would not approve eliminating landscaping from approved plans unless the abutting owners agreed to the change. Mr. Moreno said he would contact the abutting neighbors. Mr. Malone said existing trees along the Porsche, Realty One and medical site need to be saved and the area shown as grass works as it's not visible unless traversing the site. The front landscaping matching Mercedes/Porsche should be continued. Mr. Malone said detailed plans showing what was discussed should be submitted. Mr. Rerko said although the plans had changed the applicant was still improving the aesthetics of the area and if new plans are submitted detailing what was discussed he had no objections. Mr. Leimkuehler, owner of the medical office, asked what buffering was required between commercial sites and if the applicant met those requirements. He noted the natural buffering along the back of his site was cleared and asked if bushes or other plantings could be installed. Mr. O'Malley reviewed city codes pertaining to tree preservation plans being approved by the City Forester. Mr. Leimkuehler said from the edge of his parking lot to the rear fence it is dirt and unsightly. Mr. Mitchell said during phase one of the plans there was an approved tree survey which was followed. The area behind the office in question was cleared as approved. Ms. Wenger said it is the discretion of the commission to determine proper buffering between properties as long as the yard setbacks are met. The commission can determine whether fencing, landscaping, mounding or a combination there of is appropriate screening. Mr. Leimkuehler said now that the plans have changed he is concerned about buffering. Mr. Moreno said the plan is to seed the entire rear area from the edge of the parking lot to the back fence which is about 25 feet. The original plan called for the area to be cleared and paved. Mr. Lasko said as both sites were 2