Review Landscape and Storm Water Management Plan Associated with a Site Plan Application for Sunwood Village: Case of Common Bond

The City has received an application for Sketch Plan, Final Plat and Site Plan review for Sunwood Village, a proposed three (3) story apartment building located on the property directly west of Residence at the COR, between Sunwood Drive and Veterans Drive (the "Subject Property").  The application submittal includes a Landscape Plan in accordance with City Code.  There are no significant trees on the Subject Property and thus a Tree Preservation Plan is not required.

Within the COR, landscaping standards differ from the other zoning districts.  The focus is more on the streetscape elements with a greater degree of creativity allowed for internal landscaping.  Along Sunwood Drive, the streetscape has already been established and thus, no additional plantings are required here.   Streetscape plantings along Veterans Drive is proposed but is located on the backside of the sidewalk rather than within the boulevard.  This is consistent with the plantings installed on the adjacent property and also provides more rooting volume per tree.

The interior landscaping consists of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs and also includes a variety of perennials as well.  Species are generally acceptable with the exception of Burgundy Carousel Barberry.  This is a cultivar of Japanese Barberry, which is on the City's prohibited list, and should be replaced with an alternative.  Tree and shrub sizes are also acceptable.  The Landscape Plan is generally acceptable with necessary revisions identified in the Staff Review Letter, which is attached to this case.

Best Management Practices

There are two BMPs that are proposed as part of this project, both related to stormwater.  An underground cistern is proposed to capture the first inch of rainfall per the LRRWMO standards.  However, since the Subject Property is within a ten (10) year capture zone of one of the community wells, infiltration is not permitted.  Thus, the cistern will capture and hold the runoff, which will be used to irrigate the site.  The cistern is equipped with an overflow outlet that will connect to the storm sewer infrastructure.  So, if the cistern is at capacity, all excess runoff will be piped to the regional stormwater pond serving the COR. It is further noted that this stormwater is utilized to maintain water levels in The Draw Park and Amphitheater, and subsequently utilized in the irrigation system for that park.

The second BMP is the use of a tree trench.  This is essentially a lined trench that is designed to hold water and make it available for trees and other vegetation.  This too will have an overflow outlet so that excess runoff will enter the traditional storm sewer infrastructure and end up in the regional stormwater pond.  Both proposed BMPs aim to conserve water by capturing and utilizing rainfall to help irrigate the site.

Staff recommends approval of the Landscape Plan and supports the incorporation of the BMPs into the project.

All costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the Applicant.

Motion to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter dated March 27, 2015.