PC 091113 - Laserfiche WebLink

respect to landscaping, noting that all the way along the back property line, they will be adding trees that would grow up to 35 feet tall and will continuously provide more screening for the project. Commissioner O'Connor asked Mr. Ebrahimi if he knows the species of the trees that would be planted in that area. Mr. Ebrahimi deferred to the project's Landscape Architect to respond to that question. Zachy Abed, Project Landscape Architect from Van Dorn Abed Landscape Architects, Inc., stated that along the Arroyo on the south side of the property are some mature prunus, purple leaf plum trees that are spaced apart about fifteen feet on center. He noted that a couple of them have died out, but they will replace those as well as plant trees in between the existing trees, either prunus caroliniana, a low water -use species hedge that can grow up to six or eight feet tall and provide good evergreen screening along that edge, or the ligustrum, a pretty and hearty evergreen privet that would provide adequate screening. He added that this would also be done on the other sides of the property. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the existing trees are evergreen or deciduous and how tall they will get. Mr. Abed replied that the purple leaf plum tree is deciduous. He indicated that they are mature right now with about 15- to 25 -foot canopies. He noted that what they have about 15 to 20 trees along that edge that are about 15 feet on center and have about a 12- to 15 -foot canopy. He added that some of them are in average shape, and about 90 percent are pretty good. He reiterated that they plan to plant trees of the same species in between the existing trees and then infill with ground plants to provide screening for the residents across the way. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if this would be looking directly across the four -story or three- story building. Mr. Abed said yes and noted that the view will taper up. He added that they also have fingers in the parking, and they will have large evergreen canopy trees in those fingers. O'Connor noted that if the trees are all deciduous, then six months out of the year, they would have no leaves. Mr. Abed replied that that is absolutely correct as the current plum trees are deciduous. He noted that there will be a screen there, but it will not be fifteen feet tall in the wintertime. Commissioner O'Connor suggested that if they have to replace some of the existing trees that are not in good shape, they plant evergreen trees rather than using the same deciduous trees. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 11, 2013 Page 8 of 27