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Heroes Park Parking Expansion CZC, ALT (A-2020-0156) Page 1 DATE: 8/25/2020 TO: Bruce Taylor FROM: Stacy Hersh, Assistant Planner 208-884-5533 SUBJECT: A-2020-0156 Heroes Park Parking Expansion LOCATION: 3064 Malta Drive I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The applicant, Bruce Taylor, requests Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC) and Alternative Compliance (ALT) approval on behalf of the Meridian City Parks and Recreation Department, to expand parking and add an additional 159 parking stalls at Heroes Park on 25.50 acres of land in the R-4 zoning district. The applicant is proposing to convert the existing basketball court area into a parking lot and add a new parking lot to the east of the existing parking lot. ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUEST The applicant is requesting alternative compliance to the standards set forth in UDC 11-3B-8C.2.d. (Parking Lot Landscaping) that requires that each interior planter that serves a single row of parking spaces shall be landscaped with at least one tree and shall be covered with low shrubs, lawn, or other vegetative ground cover. Each interior planter that serves a double row of parking spaces shall have at least two (2) trees and shall be covered with low shrubs, lawn, or other vegetative ground cover.  The west parking lot proposed for this site is currently the existing basketball court area, which contains a large concrete pad. The applicant would like to retain the concrete pad, with the exception of saw cut and demolition necessary for new curved parking lot islands. It would be cost prohibitive to remove the amount of concrete necessary to run irrigation to the parking lot islands, therefore; the applicant is proposing to use rock mulch and boulders instead of planting trees, shrubs, and other vegetative cover. The applicant has relocated the required trees along the south and west parking lot perimeter as shown on the landscape plan on Exhibit B. Additionally, Heroes Park has existing landscape buffers with trees along the street frontages, existing trees are along the north of the parking lots, pathways currently surround the park and are adjacent to the parking lots, and there is an existing pond to the east for enjoyment and fishing. After reviewing the applicant’s request, staff finds the proposal meets the intent of the Unified Development Code; see Findings below. Therefore, the proposed site design is approved. FINDINGS FOR ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REQUEST TO UDC-3B-8C.2.D.: CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE REPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Page 2 In order to grant approval for alternative compliance, the director shall determine the following findings: 1. Strict adherence or application of the requirements is not feasible; OR Strict adherence to the UDC requirement that requires that each interior planter that serves a single row of parking spaces shall be landscaped with at least one tree and each interior planter that serves a double row of parking spaces shall have at least two (2) trees and shall be covered with low shrubs, lawn, or other vegetative ground cover, is feasible but not desirable for the applicant’s due to costs associated with removing the existing concrete. 2. The alternative compliance provides an equal or superior means for meeting the requirements; and The Director finds the Applicant’s proposed alternative compliance provides an equal means of compliance with this requirement. 3. The alternative means will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or impair the intended uses and character of the surrounding properties. The Director finds that the proposed alternative will not be detrimental to the public welfare or impair the intended use/character of the surrounding properties. II. DECISION The applicant's request for Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC) and Alternative Compliance (ALT) are approved with the conditions listed in this report. Note: This is not a building permit. Please contact Building Services at (208) 887-2211 to verify if you need a building permit and/or inspection. If you do need a building permit, you must complete that process before you commence the use or construction. Please contact Building Services for additional details about building permits and inspections. Site Specific Conditions of Approval 1. Per UDC 11-5B-5B2, the Director (at the applicant's request) approved alternative compliance regarding the parking lot landscaping, UDC 11-3B-8C.2.d. 2. All parking and loading areas shall provide proper drainage of surface water to prevent the drainage of such water onto adjacent properties or walkways as set forth in UDC 11-3C-5B2. Applicant will submit a parking lot drainage plan to City of Meridian Land Development Services (208-887-2211) for approval prior to construction. 3. No signs are approved with this application. Prior to installing any signs on the property, the applicant shall submit a sign permit application consistent with the standards in UDC Chapter 3 Article D and receive approval for such signs. 4. The applicant shall complete all improvements related to public life, safety, and health as set forth in UDC 11-5C-3B. A surety agreement may be accepted for other improvements in accord with UDC 11-5C-3C. 5. Upon installation of the landscaping and prior to inspection by Planning Division staff, the applicant shall provide a written certificate of completion as set forth in UDC 11-3B-14A. Page 3 6. The site plan prepared by Jensen Belts Associates on July 30, 2020 and August 19, 2020, labeled L1.0, L1.2, L1.4, and L.5, are approved by the City of Meridian Planning Division as shown in Exhibit B. 7. The landscape plan prepared by Jensen Belts Associates on July 30, 2020 and August 19, 2020, labeled L2.0, L2.1, and L2.2, are approved by the City of Meridian Planning Division as shown in Exhibit C. 8. The approved site plan and landscape plan may not be altered without prior written approval of the City of Meridian Planning Division. 9. The applicant shall pay any applicable impact fees prior to the issuance of a building permit. 10. If any changes must be made to the site plan to accommodate ACHD requirements, the applicant shall submit a new site plan to the City of Meridian Planning Division for approval prior to issuance of the building permit. General Conditions of Approval 1. The applicant and/or assigns shall have the continuing obligation to provide irrigation that meets the standards as set forth in UDC 11-3B-6 and to install and maintain all landscaping as set forth in UDC 11-3B-5, UDC 11-3B-13 and UDC 11-3B-14. 2. The project is subject to all current City of Meridian ordinances and previous conditions of approval associated with this site (AZ-02-010, DA #103012598, MDA #104022054; CUP-02- 042; PP-02-009; FP-04-004; CZC-05-037; CZC-09-016, DES-09-005). 3. The issuance of this CZC does not release the applicant from any previous requirements of the other permits issued for the site. 4. The applicant and/or property owner shall have an ongoing obligation to prune all trees to a minimum height of six feet above the ground or sidewalk surface to afford greater visibility of the area. 5. The applicant shall have an ongoing obligation to maintain all pathways. 6. The applicant has a continuing obligation to comply with the outdoor lighting provisions as set forth in UDC 11-3A-11. 7. The applicant and/or property owner shall have an ongoing obligation to maintain all landscaping and constructed features within the clear vision triangle consistent with the standards in UDC 11- 3A-3. III. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW The applicant or a party of record may request City Council review of a decision of the Director. All requests for review shall be filed in writing with the Planning Division on or before August September 5, 2020, within fifteen (15) days after the written decision is issued, and contain the information listed in UDC 11-5A-6B. If City Council review of the decision is not requested, the action of the Director represents a final decision on a land use application. You have the right to request a regulatory taking analysis under Idaho Code 67-8003. IV. EXPIRATION The Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall expire if the construction, alteration or the use has not commenced within one year of the date of issuance of the Certificate of Zoning Compliance. In accord with the above provisions, the subject Certificate of Zoning Compliance is valid until August 25, 2021. Page 4 V. EXHIBITS A. Site Plan (date: 8/19/2020) Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 B. Landscape Plan (date: 8/19/2020) Page 8