HomeMy WebLinkAbout1701 WESTPARK DRIVE 2014 Staff MinutesOctober 16, 2014
ITEM NO.: FILE NO.: LA-0062
NAME: Westpark Meadows Apartments Timber Harvest Variance
LOCATION: 1701 Westpark Drive
APPLICANT: Westpark Meadows Apartments
APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE: Christy Marvel
AREA: Approximately 1 acres
CURRENT ZONING: R-6
VARIANCES/WAIVERS REQUESTED: A variance from the Land Alteration
Regulations to harvest timber on approximately 1 acre.
A. PROPOSAL/REQUEST:
Applicant is requesting a variance from the Land Alteration Regulations to
harvest timber on approximately 1 acre on the north side of Boyle Park Road at
1701 Westpark Drive. The variance would allow staff to issue a grading permit
for harvesting approximately 193 trees without imminent construction.
B. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
The property is a developed apartment complex zoned R-6. The property is
visible from Boyle Park Road. East of the subject property is a developed
property zoned 0-3 that is developed as a church. South of the subject property
is Boyle Park Road. Across Boyle Park Road is a vacant undeveloped property
with dense trees zoned R-2. West of the subject property is vacant and
commercial developed properties zoned 0-3 and 1-2, respectively. North of the
subject property is the CLR Rebsamen Tennis Center zoned PR. The trees are
not viewable from the tennis center.
C. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
Staff has been provided proof of notifications being mailed by the applicant to all
adjacent property owners including those across streets and alleys. As of the
time of writing, staff has not received any written or verbal communications on
this request with questions or desiring additional information.
October 16, 2014
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.:
D. ENGINEERING COMMENTS:
FILE NO.: LA-0662
1. Damage to public and private property due to hauling operations or operation
of construction related equipment from a nearby construction site shall be
repaired by the responsible party prior to issuance of an approval of
completion.
2. Obtain barricade permit prior to doing any work in the right-of-way. Contact
Traffic Engineering at (501) 379-1805 (Travis Herbner) for more information.
3. Contact Vince Floriani at 501-371-4817 to inspect public infrastructure at the
end of the project.
4. How much time is the project expected to take?
5. A grading permit in accordance with section 29-186 (c) & (d) will be required
prior to any land clearing or grading activities at the site. Other than
residential subdivisions, site grading and drainage plans must be submitted
and approved prior to the start of construction.
E. PLANNING STAFF COMMENTS:
1. Site plan must comply with the City's minimal landscape and buffer
ordinance requirements.
2. A landscape irrigation system shall be required for developments of one (1)
acre or larger. For developments of less than one (1) acre a there shall be a
water source within seventy-five (75) feet of the plants to be irrigated.
3. Safety procedures, size and placement of new trees, and the repair of any
disturbed areas has been addressed on the plan or the submitted documents.
4. The City Beautiful Commission recommends preserving as many existing
trees as feasible on this site. Credit toward fulfilling Landscape Ordinance
requirements can be given when preserving trees of six (6) inch caliper or
larger.
F. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE:
Christy Marvel representing the applicant was present. Staff presented an
overview of the variance application. The applicant said the project would take at
the most 60 days to complete. There was no further discussion of the item. The
Committee then forwarded the item to the full Commission for final action.
G. ANALYSIS:
The applicant is requesting to remove 193 trees adjacent to Boyle Park Road on
private property between the sidewalk and the apartments. The mature trees
range in size from 4 inches in diameter to 30 inches in diameter. The trees have
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October 16, 2014
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: FILE NO.: LA-0062
H
been pruned by Entergy on the street side next to the power lines causing them
to be unsightly and hazardous per the applicant's insurer.
The trees will be removed one at a time. The SB lane of Boyle Park Road will
need to be barricaded during the working hours. The applicant has stated safe
pedestrian passage will be provided through the work zone. At the end of the
day, all work in the area will be cleaned of debris and trip hazards to ensure
safety of vehicles and pedestrians. The stumps are proposed to be ground at the
conclusion of the project. After stumps are ground; approximately 18 redbud
forest pansy trees (2" caliper), 4 foster holly trees (2" caliper), and sod on
disturbed areas will be replanted.
Prior to beginning the work a grading permit and a barricade permit will be
obtained by the applicant. At the conclusion of the project, Public Works staff will
be contacted for inspection of the right-of-way.
At the time of writing, staff has not received any telephone calls or emails asking
questions or desiring additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the timber harvest variance request subject to
compliance with the comments and conditions as outlined in paragraph D and E
of the agenda staff report.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (October 16, 2014)
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