Mr. Rizzardi noted that the proposed addition is located at the southeast |
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corner of the existing building. The addition will consist of three new |
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classrooms. In addition, the applicant proposes to install a fire lane to the |
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south side of the building. The proposed addition would cause the removal |
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of 9 trees and the fire lane would cause the removal of 2 more trees. Since |
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the site was approved in 1990, the city has implemented buffer |
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requirements for non-residentially zoned uses in a residential district. To |
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meet the required 25' buffer, the applicant would need to provide an |
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opaque screen along the northern and eastern property lines. The |
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applicant is proposing a modification for both of these buffers. Along the |
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northern property line, an opaque buffer already exists. In addition, the |
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applicant has installed plant materials on the northern property line at the |
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time the previous site plan was approved, as well as some other trees that |
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were planted at that time. Along the eastern side, the applicant is |
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proposing to put 50' of the existing woodlands into a conservation area. |
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Normally, a 25' buffer would be required, however, staff felt it would be |
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beneficial, since it is a deciduous forest and, during the winter, the greater |
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width will help provide screening once the leaves fall. In addition to the |
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eastern area, there will be additional evergreen screening near the wooded |
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area immediately adjacent to the proposed addition to help fill in any |
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existing gaps between the new addition area and the existing residences. |
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