Narrative Letter Alternative Compliance02.28.19
Community Development
Planning Division
33 E. Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Swain Retail Narrative Letter Alternative Compliance
Ryan McKell,
Swain Retail is a 8692 sf shell and core retail building at the Southwest Corner of McMillian and Locust
Grove.
The alternative compliance is to reduce the 20’ landscape buffer to the south. The 20’ buffer is not
feasible because the drive aisle is already in place and the site does not allow the curb cuts to be shifted
toward the intersections. Direct access to/from the site via E. McMillian Road and N. Locust Grove Road
was approved by City council through a waiver-in accord with UDC11-3A-3 as stated in the development
agreement.
The neighbors to the south have both approved of the layout. Signatures of the neighbors will be
provided with this application.
The landscape plan for the site provides a significant amount of landscaping for the site. Skyrcocket
Junipers were added to the landscape plan abutting the resident to the south. Trees are not allowed in
the utility easement so an evergreen shrub with a tree like appearance has been added to provide a
green wall next to the home. As a whole site, the landscape exceeds the requirements for landscaping
(40% Required, 51% provided. Existing landscape buffers along Locust Grove and McMillian provide a
25’ wide band of landscaping for to the North and to the East. Entering the site from either access point
allows for a significant visual buffer for the property.
Sincerely,
Marla Carson, Architect