Title
Anderson Variance Request - Landscaping Requirements - 104 W 6th Street
Body
Summary:
Terry Anderson is requesting the elimination of landscaping standards required for a redevelopment that will increase the total floor area on a site by more than 25%. For additions that would increase total floor area on a site by 25 percent or more, a landscape plan for the entire site, demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Sec. 94-399 including minimum landscape buffers, foundation plantings, and tree plantings must be submitted for approval.
An expansion of the Anderson Insurance building will add additional office space for staff at an expanding business. This expansion sets off the required landscaping standards for expansion of greater than 25% floor area. These standards would require a minimum landscape buffer of 10-feet along right of ways and 5-feet along the side property line kept free of parking, storage, merchandise, or accessory structures. Three-foot foundation plantings would be required along the perimeter of the building. Two tree-plantings would also be required within the landscape areas.
Mr. Anderson is requesting to eliminate all landscaping requirements due to a perceived parking and snow storage hardship if landscape areas were required. The request to eliminate the three-foot foundation plantings is due to potential water issues that could be caused to the building which is built slab on grade with no foundations.
Findings of Fact:
(1) Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and variance shall not violate the spirit of the ordinance and substantial justice may be achieved as a result of variance.
Finding: The applicant is stating that by requiring 10-foot landscape areas along 6th Street and 1st Avenue and a 5-foot landscape area along the side (west) property line, a parking and snow storage shortage will occur. The property has access from both 6...
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