01/27/2010 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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redeveloped to be more of a park lilce setting and include buffering and sitting areas in addition to vegetation. Mr. DiFranco said a tree preservation/removal permit would be required prior to any work commencing. If more than one half acre is disturbed a storm water management plan is required. Though the proposed changes entail removing and replacing green space with green space the change will increase the rate and quantity of runoff as well as erosion of soil. A swale will be required along the north property line to maintain drainage on-site and may require a yard drain, infiltration trench and/or bio retention installed. Mr. O'Malley noted that the forester would not issue tree removal permits until the commission completes its review. Mr. Lydon said they would like to landscape the area which was left in a natural state. They hired Davey Tree to survey the 52 trees on the site and the arborist submitted the report included in their application. The report identifies 19 of the trees are half dead or totally dead and recommends their removal and replacement with trees in the Red Oak family. He noted that some of the trees dying were due to trench work required to tie into the city's sanitary sewers. Trees planted along the mounds are also dying due to being so close to the thoroughfare. They will replace the white pines with Colorado Blue Spruces which are more salt tolerant. Although they respect the suggestion to maintain a natural area, it is a gateway and does not give the best presentation of their company or the City. The existing grading and mounding was designed to ensure headlights are not an issue. Just under one half acre is being touched and trees will be replaced one for one. They will also pay attention to storm water drainage on the site and will ensure they maintain the runoff on their land. Excess soil from the site will be used to create the mounding. They are willing to install picnic benches and mulching beds to provide sitting areas. Mr. Malone summarized the forester's opinion that the natural state is of no hazard and provides biodiversity. However Davey Tree Company is a well respected tree company so when they say there are 19 dead trees it's true and although there is no detrimental affect to leaving the site in the natural state the concerns raised regarding perception is a factor which should be considered. The location is a gateway into the city and in his personal opinion the gateway area should reflect how the city wishes to be perceived by its visitors and residents alilce. Assuming the commission and city believes the area should be enhanced he would recommend the following to further enhance the site: * Do not locate the two new bed areas in the proposed areas. Tip the first added planting area closer to Brookpark Road lceeping the undulating affect following the planting style used along Clague Road continuing to the mound just to the east. * The existing north-south three foot mound would be a good location for a bio-retention cell which would aide in the stormwater management plan as well as provide an aesthetic quality. * The proposed turf area would benefit from a more extensive landscape plan including larger oaks and maples to provide a more naturalistic interest to the interior area. * Along the road the more formal look is better as it is a gateway into the area. * He does not recommend Blue Spruces as they become diseased as they reach a mature size and die. Norway Spruces should be used to replace the White Pines as they grow quicker and remain healthier. Mr. Lydon asked if they could use the Red Oalcs recommended intermittently with Norway Spruce and Mr. Malone said yes. Mr. Bohlmann aslced if the mounds and areas along the roadways were mowed and maintained and Mr. Lydon said the entire area would be mowed and 2