_Minutes_August 28, 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

towards Hopyard Road, the wall is proposed to remain at 18-inches until the 20-foot section and then gradually fade in. Commissioner Balch confirmed the proposal is for an 18-inch retaining wall from the 20-foot point all the way to the back side of the property from Hopyard Road. Commissioner Brown said he thinks the top of the wall is supplanted by the landscaping, and Commissioner Balch confirmed. Commissioner Pace asked what is planned for the 20-foot distance between the sidewalk and start of the fence and asked if there is shrubbery. Mr. Schafer responded that there is landscaping all along that area per the landscape plan. Chair Allen questioned the barrier and whether it is something people can trample over. Commissioner Pace asked for a visual of the landscape plan, and Mr. Schafer presented the plan. In response to a query from Commissioner Brown, Mr. Schafer noted that the area would be landscaped with bushes at three to four feet in height, with a variety of heights. The closer to the street the smaller the hedges. Mr. Hirst stated they have made a number of changes to accommodate neighbors to the south. What they originally proposed was a bioswale area which is a ponding area and it would discourage people from walking across it, particularly in wet weather. When they submitted the plan to the City, the City's arborist said if they have a bioswale they would have to remove a mature tree on the church property. They asked the church if they could remove the tree and to replace it anywhere on their property to have the bioswale. This offer was made on July 6, 2019. The church never replied, and in order to meet the City's requirement, they replaced the bioswale with landscaping and moved the bioswale to another area. Commissioner Balch asked if the planting would be standard as in any new development, and Mr. Hirst confirmed. Mr. Hirst further mentioned the numerous conditions applied to the project, stating that about 32 of the conditions, or about 21-percent, of the 128 conditions are project-specific. Staff has been very thorough, and they are willing to comply with all of the conditions, other than the driveway. If the combination of the wall and fence is four to six feet, they will be amenable. He explained two months ago they had proposed putting in a wrought iron fence on top and paying the property owners to the south $10,000, however, those property owners rejected that proposal. This is when they removed the wrought iron fence. Commissioner Balch inquired about the 20-foot difference where the fence stops currently and asked if the applicant would be willing to consider a low wrought iron fence continuance to the sidewalk or closer to it. Mr. Hirst replied that staff had indicated they want an open area. Planning Commission Minutes Page 12 of 16 August 28, 2019 r. Schafer spoke in regard to the grade changes of the retaining wall on the site and said the 18-inches will continue to the back or southwest corner and around the other side. Heading Planning Commission Minutes Page 11 of 16 August 28, 2019 y changed the three-foot Planning Commission Minutes Page 9 of 16 August 28, 2019 019 adjacent neighbors, with the exception of the homes on Rachael Place, which are set back a Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 16 August 28, 2019