Testimony by Larry Kovarik 8/1AUG-01-2012 12:22 From:L Ko~arik 208 288 0015 To:8884218 Pa9e:2~4
August 1, 2012
To: Bill Parsons
Cc: Bob Perry, Matt Swain, Taylor Merrill, Meridian Clerk of Courts
From: Larry E Kovarik, Gramercy and Thousand Springs Homeowner's Represenfafive
Re: Modification of Conditional Use Permit (MCU 12-002); Continued Public Hearing August 2, 2012
Bill,
Resulting from the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held on July 19, 2012, with regard to
the above request the applicant, Perry Homes, and the homeowner's and/or their representative(s), were
directed by the Commission to meet, discuss, and resolve all issues pertaining to the agreements made prior
to the approval on March 6, 2012 of CUP 11-010 and MDA 11-013 between the applicant at that time,
Gramercy LLC, and the homeowners of Gramercy and Thousand Springs.
That meeting was held on Friday, July 20, 2012, with Bob Perry and Matt Swain of Perry Homes, Taylor
Merrill of Gramercy LLC, and Ralph Engel and myself of Gramercy and Thousand Springs Homes. The
following are the issues and/or prior agreements discussed with the action plans or resolution of those
items:
1) Structure height and architecture; Although the original plans were for a contemporary design wifh
an approximate overall height of 30 to 31 feet, it was agreed that the new proposal for a traditional
design would be acceptable provided the applicant would maintain on the main roof a pitch of no
greater than 4/12 and this pitch would be measured at approximately 33 to 34 feet at the middle of
the slope.
2) Garages along the entire southern border; The homeowners had no objection to the garages
provided that the backs of those garages had roof gables facing south situated at the same
locations designed for the front and facing north, and that under those gables to the ground some
type of design, material variation, or color scheme would be incorporated as to differentiate that
area from remainder of the back side and be somewhat comparable to the building design of the
apartments themselves.
3) Landscaping on the southern border; The original plan required a lush buffer on the southern
border to filter automobile lights, any noise, deter foot traffic Into the adjoining parcel and
neighborhood(s), and to also provide an aesthefic appearance to all neighbors. It was agreed that
all areas of land that the garages are not situated on (all ends and spaces in between garages on the
southern border) would be bermed (raised) no less Than two (2) feet and that all those areas
(landscape islands) would have both trees and shrubs to accomplish the same result as listed in the
beginning of this paragraph #3. The quantity of those trees shall be no less than nineteen (19), and
they shall be no less than 3" caliper. Also, per the Meridian City Ordinance, no less than nine (9)
more additional trees will be installed along the southern border, and these trees will also be no less
than 3" caliper as agreed with the other trees regardless of the City minimum slae requirement.
(cont.)
AUG-01-2012 12:22 From:L Kovarik 208 288 0015 To:8884218 Paee:3~4
Modification of MCU 12-002 (cont.)
4) Landscaping on the southwestern border from the most southwesterly comer property line
northward to E Blue Tick St and to include the area over the ACHD easement The original plan
called for lush landscaping with tall ornamental grasses to accomplish the same effect as listed at
the beginning of paragraph #3, It was agreed that a benn of no less than 2 feet be placed along this
entire border and that the landscaping would be no less than its adjoining area from Gramercy Villas
and that an abundance of tall ornamental grasses was to be included in the design, Again, its
purpose was the same as at the beginning of paragraph #3.
5) Amore detailed landscape plan for the southern and southwestern borders would be provided
before the City Council Meeting was to act upon this modification request,
6) Third (3~) and new access point for emergency vehicles. To accommodate the applicant's new site
plan, the original 3~ access point was moved and attached to the most southerly point of the main
road going through the middle of the entire apartment complex. /t was agreed, pending the Meridian
Fire Department's approval and design recommendation, that a temporary gate(s) would be installed
on the prope-ty line with most likely having a "knox box" for the purpose of stopping vehicular
traffic and deterring pedestrian traffic through that point to the adjoining parcel and
neighborhood(s).
Provided that the applicant, Perry Homes, and the current land owner, Gramercy LLC, adhere to the
agreements reached in this document, and that the Meridian P/ann/ng and Zoning Commission recognize
and add these agreements to the modification request, then the homeowners of both Gramercy and
Thousand Springs support the plan, We also welcome Perry Homes as a neighbor and hope that any and all
future requests and/or problems can be resolved by taking the time to sit down and mutually come to terms
by listening to each other's concerns,
Thank you,
Larry E Kovarik
Gramercy and Thousand Springs Homeowner's Representative
Note: Please also reference the attached email letter from Matt Swain addressed to "Lary and Ralph" sent
on 7/27/2012
AUG-01-2012 12:22 From:L Ko~arik 208 288 0015 To:8884218
>;ie),ds at Gramercy reviised drawizigs page 1 of 1 ,
From: Matt Swain <mswain(g~penyhomesutah.com>
To: Mcov <Irkov~ad.com>; race <n'oe~caWeone.netd
cc: Bob Pony apeny®perryhomesutah,com>
Sub)eCt: Fields al Gramercy revised drawmga
Date: Fri, Ju127, 2012 11;10 am
At~t:hmertts: Attolate landscape Plan_~1,0_7-26-12,Revised.pdf (1866K), 12-210~1G5.0_7-2t;•12.pdf (1251
Larry and Ralph,
In response to our meeting With you last Friday, please find attached the revised landscaping plan and garage
elevations. Please note the changes that have been made in correlation with our discussion, namely:
- added 8 trees along the south baundary of the property to bring the total to 19
- added berming to the planting areas between the garages and on the sides of the emergency
access point to further limit transference of noise, light and other pollution as well as limit foot traffic
through these openings
- consolidated the planting along the south boundary to fill in the openings between the garages,
also adding shrubs below the trees in these areas
- added harming and planted tall grasses along the ACHO easement so as to limit noise, light and
other pollution as well as foot traffic
- included a temporary berm to be placed on the back side of the emergency access to further bock
noise, light and other pollution as well as limit foot traffic
- included a gate across the emergency access, to be installed by others and approved by the city
- added gables to the garage structure and a variation in the material application along the south
side to create a more aesthetic look
We truly appreciate your input on this matter and believe that it has added to the fuhctionality and aesthetic
of the project. Please review the attached, I will call you to go over any comments you might have. We need
to be able to submit this plan to the city first thing Monday morning to hit the dates of August 2 planning
commission and August 21 city council. 1 look forward to your feedback.
Kind Regards,
Matthew T• Swain, M(tED
Perry & Associates
Director of Commercial Development
17 East Wpucltescer St., Suite 200
Munay, urah salo7
Cell (80))53A-6403
Office (801) 260.-8800
mswain(aQperrycpttl mercialpropertics.tom
Pa9e:4~4
bttp://l.aol.com/36779-1 a I/aol-6/en-us/mail/PrpptMessage.aspx 7/27/2012