Planning 2017-04-27 COMPLETE AGENDA PACKET

Browse Search

3. LANDSCAPING AND SITE TREATMENT a. Where existing topographic patterns contribute to beauty and utility of a development, they should be recognized, preserved and enhanced. No changes to site topography are proposed. b. Grades of walks, parking spaces, terraces and other paved areas should promote safety, and provide an inviting and stable appearance. Painted pedestrian pathways have been provided between the S 128th St. and the transportation building to provide designated walkways for employees, enhancing pedestrian safety at the site. Main entry and back door both have access ramps. Doorways at Rooms 107 and 113 have a grade that is intended to rise up to the door threshold with the grade sloping away from the building. These two rooms have dropped floor slabs to provide for cart access as required for the building program. c. Landscape treatment should enhance architectural features, strengthen vistas and important axis, and provide shade. The project meets the design criteria. City code requires plant materials in the buffer to consist of the following: • Trees: A mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. • One shrub per 7 linear feet to achieve a continuous vertical layer in 3 years. • Groundcover will be of varying heights, colors and textures to achieve 100% coverage within 3 years. d. In locations where plants will be susceptible to injury by pedestrian or motor traffic, mitigating steps should be taken. The proposed landscaping will be verified to ensure the plantings are done according to City standards, including the species used. Existing trees will be protected during construction. e. Where building sites limit planting, the placement of trees or shrubs in paved areas is encouraged. Per TMC 18.70.090 (B), design review triggers compliance with the City's adopted landscaping requirements. Additionally, the Board of Architectural Review may modify the standards when in their judgement strict compliance with the landscaping standards of the code would create substantial practical difficulties. Due to the continued primary use of this parcel as a school bus parking lot, staff recommends waiver from interior parking lot landscaping requirements due to the need for continued access /movement of buses through the site. f. Screening of service yards and other places that tend to be unsightly should be accomplished by use of walls, fencing, planting or combination. Additional infill landscaping along the perimeter is proposed. Topography change and landscaping help screen the site from the adjoining single family homes along the south and west of the property and from E Marginal Way and S 128th St. g. In areas where general planting will not prosper, other materials such as fences, walls and pavings of wood, brick, stone or gravel may be used. No such features are proposed. h. Exterior lighting, when used, should enhance the building design and the adjoining landscape. Lighting standards and fixtures should be of a design and size compatible with the building and adjacent area. Lighting should be shielded, and restrained in design. Excessive brightness and brilliant colors should be avoided. Six (6) 400 watt light poles currently exist on the site. One of these existing poles is proposed to be relocated to the southern edge of the site to provide lighting for the employee parking area adjacent to the building. Five (5) LED bulbs are proposed for the north elevation of the building. There is adequate lighting throughout the 10 14