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Request by Rosheen Styczinski of New Eden Landscape Architecture LLC for two parking lot landscaping variances for the proposed Versiti Blood Research Institute building expansion at 8733 Watertown Plank Road.
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Submitted by:
Jennifer Stilling
Department:
Public Works (Engineering Division)
A. Issue
The applicant has requested that the Board consider variances for the following:
* Perimeter Vehicular Use Area Landscaping (City Code 24.12.020): A landscape strip with a minimum depth of ten (10) feet must be provided between the vehicular use area and the public right-of-way.
* Interior Vehicular Use Area Landscaping (City Code 24.12.030): Shade trees must be provided in interior landscape islands at a minimum rate of one tree per 180 square feet of required interior landscape area.
B. Background/Options
Because the parking lot for this parcel is proposed to be reconstructed due to construction activities for the proposed Versiti Blood Research Institute Building Expansion, the perimeter and interior landscape requirements in Code Section 24.12 apply.
Code section 24.12.020 states that a landscape strip with a minimum depth of ten (10) feet must be provided between the vehicular use area and the public right-of-way. The parking lot is bordered by Watertown Plank Road to the north and N. 87th Street to the south. While it is acknowledged that N. 87th Street is not owned or maintained by the City, there is an access easement for public use of the road. In addition, past interpretation of the Landscaping Code for parking lot projects adjacent to privately owned streets required perimeter landscaping.
As shown in the attached exhibit L400.1, approximately 53 feet out of the required 159 feet of perimeter adjacent to N. 87th Street does not provide the required 10-foot perimeter landscaping width. Within the 53 feet of non-compliant perimeter, the proposed width varies from 2.5 feet to 5 feet. The proposed eastern edge of the parking lot is...
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