21044_COM_Alternative Compliance Landscape Narrative_5-03-2021
May 3, 2021
City of Meridian
Planning Division
33 E. Broadway Avenue, Suite 102
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: Codale Electric, LLC – Alternative Compliance Landscape
To whom it may concern:
This purpose of this letter is to address our request for alternative compliance in regard to the required
landscape treatment on the north and west property lines for the referenced project located at the
southwest corner of W. Franklin Road and NW. 13th Place in Meridian. As indicated on the site and
landscape plans, the 8 Mile lateral enters the subject property at the northeast corner and flows south
and west across the property. Secondly, there is an existing tiled irrigation lateral running north-south
on the west property line.
City of Meridian Code 11-3B-8.C.1.b requires the perimeter landscape buffer to be planted with one
tree per thirty-five linear feet. Due to the tiled irrigation lateral on west property line, and the irrigation
easement on the 8-Mile Lateral on the north, trees cannot be planted within the irrigation easement per
irrigation district policy. We ask for alternative compliance on this standard as follows:
a. West property line – In lieu of the required 9 trees (323.13’), Sheet L1.0 indicates 1 Autumn
Blaze Maple (outside both easements), and 28 Ivory Halo Dogwoods to be planted in the
west landscape buffer to provide screening from the adjacent vacant industrial property.
b. North property line – in lieu of the required 13 trees (439.75’), the existing flowering pear
and shrub plantings on the north side of the 8-Mile lateral will remain and provide the
screening which complies with City of Meridian Code 11-3B-5.P in regard to CPTED
standards for maintaining visibility between parking areas and truck loading facilities for
safety purposes.
c. Due to the irrigation easements, we propose increasing the tree plantings in the landscape
buffer fronting Franklin Road. Twelve (12) trees are required. Sheet L1.0 proposes a total
of 26 trees. There are also 2 extra trees in the terminal islands of the parking lot on the
southeast and southwest corners of the building. These additional trees serve to satisfy the
requirement for 17 of the 32 trees on the west and north property lines.
Thank you for consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Jay A. Gibbons, PLA, ASLA
Senior Landscape Architect
South Beck and Baird Landscape Architecture
gibbons@sbbgo.com