09/16/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. ~}~y Council Minutes of 9/16/2008 2) The BZD Committee met tonight at 7 p. m. to discuss again the Hampton Inn proposal, COMS08-06. In attendance were members Barker and Gareau; Council members Kearney, Mahoney, Ryan and Orlowski, and President Kennedy; Mayor O'Grady and Planning Director Wenger and Mr. Jeffrey Kerr of Atwell-Hicks and guests. Mr. Kerr presented another plan. Plan "A" was the original landscaping plan for the 50-foot mound. Plan "B" was a reversal of the conifer and deciduous trees. During the discussion, a lot of the comments were of what our experts, Mr. Malone from Planning & Design and our Forester Mr. Dave Wendell thought. This is an attempt to possibly provide more screening at the Hampton Inn from residents on Columbia. He received an e-mail from Planning Director Wenger with a response from Mr. Greg Malone who said: "There would not be a negative impact until the trees are mature at which time the over-crowding where the maples and spruces grow into each other will have negative impact on the shape and appearance both." The response from Mr. Dave Wendell said: "I think the plan is fine the way it is. Putting all the spruce at the top of the mound will look too unnatural with them all in a row. If there are too many plants they will become crowded and some die back will occur." It was also the opinion of Mr. Ken of Atwell-Hicks that, if we put the trees on the top of the mound where it's thinner, they would dry out sooner and possibly lose some trees. Also in reading the minutes from the Flanning and Design meeting of August 27, 2008, Mr. Malone stated in the minutes: "The landscape plan is well laid out and the area along Columbia Road is wider and provides a better buffering. The proposed deciduous trees to be used on the site are Red Maples and the evergreens used are Norway Spruces both of which will grow fast and reach 40 to 70 feet heights which will be satisfactory now and later during the second phase." During this evening's meeting, there was discussion between Mr. Orlowski, Mr. Gareau, Mr. Mahoney, Mr. Barker, and residents Mr. McKay and Mr. Charboneau. The Mayor also had input. Basically, it came down to Mr. Barker's feeling to go along with the expert's because in time this will fill up. Also, there is 300 feet of a very heavily wooded area before the second phase of this project would even come forth. When it does come forth, we will revisit that mound to make sure that the screening is good enough. After great debate on this issue, a committee motion was made by Councilman Barker to recommend approval of COMS08-06 Hampton Inn on the southwest corner of County Club Blvd. and Columbia Road subject to all recommendations by the various boards and commissions plus the original landscaping plan for the 50 foot buffer be used as approved originally. The committee motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau and passed 2-0. Councilman Barker moved to approve COMS08-06 Hampton Inn on the southwest corner of County Club Blvd. and Columbia Road subject to all recommendations by the various boards and commissions plus that original landscaping plan "A" fora 50 foot buffer be used as approved originally. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gareau. Roll call: Barker, yes; Gareau, yes; Ryan, yes; Orlowski, no, with comment. The requests of the residents and himself as far as the planting of the conifer trees has been implemented in numerous other communities. So he would imagine it does work. Roll call continued: Mahoney, yes; Kearney, no. The motion passed with six yes votes and two no votes. 11