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There is a generator, electrical transformer, and trash enclosure located on the rear of the building that are screened by the building to the public street. The trash enclosure will feature metal trash enclosure gates and is constructed with brick consistent with the building design. The Applicant did not include roof plans or associated building sections to illustrate all roof -mounted mechanical equipment is screened. Planning staff has included a condition recommending that all rooftop or ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be hidden from view with the same materials used on the building in accordance with City Code requirements. E. Landscaping — Flexibility Requested Section 1320.06 — District Requirements Chart of the City Code requires a minimum landscape lot area of 20% or 32,234 square feet for the Subject Property in the B-2 Zoning District. The Applicant is proposing a landscape lot area of approximately 34% percent or 55,835 square feet. Additionally, at least 10% or 3,223 square feet of the total landscaped area (i.e. 32,234 square feet) shall be covered with perennials and/or shrubbery. The Applicant is proposing perennial and/or shrubbery of approximately 9% or 2,926 square feet. Per the Applicant, a revised landscape plan will be submitted with the future building permit application that would comply with the 10% plantings of perennial and/or shrubbery and it is not their intent to seek flexibility from this requirement. Lastly, planting islands shall occupy 10% or 2,346 square feet of the parking area (i.e. 23,465 square feet). The plans show the provided planting islands are covering approximately 10.5% or 2,459 square of the parking area. The site contains 984 caliper inches of significant trees. Section 1325.055 Subd. 5 allows for the removal of fewer than ten (10) percent of the caliper inches of significant trees on the property without requiring mitigation. Ten percent of 984 is 98.4 caliper inches. The Applicant proposes removing 984 caliper inches of trees, meaning the Applicant is responsible for mitigation of 886 caliper inches removed above 10 percent. Per Section 1325.055 Subd. 6, the number of caliper inches of trees required for replanting is determined at a rate of 1:2 or one (1) inch replaced for every two (2) inches lost. Existing 10% of Proposed Inches in Required Proposed Existing Removal excess of 10% Replacement Replacement 984 caliper 98.4 caliper 984 caliper 886 caliper 443 caliper 48 caliper inches inches inches inches inches inches The Applicant is seeking flexibility for the required replacement of 443 caliper inches based on the total inches removed and the rate of replacement due to the need to maintain exiting sightlines for the firefighters when they leave for a call. The Applicant has noted the landscaping plan includes an abundance of plantings and is proposing to plant 48 caliper inches on site. The Applicant's Tree Preservation Plan (Sheet L 101) for the landscaping requirements table indicates a proposed 128 caliper inches to be provided. For the purposes of this report, Planning Staff has used the figures as calculated on the Landscaping Details and Notes Plan (Sheet L104) which includes the tree inventory schedule. The Applicant has stated in their narrative that they would be willing to consider an off -site location to satisfy this requirement, but does not have a location identified. They have also requested the City waive the payment in lieu of option (i.e. cost of materials and installation plus 10%) which would be considered as part of the PUD review. At the July 10, 2024 Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission considered the Applicant's request for flexibility to recommend approval of the proposed tree replacement at 48 caliper inches and to waive requirements for planting at an off -site location and for a payment in lieu of option. Upon review, the Commission determined that the proposed 48 caliper inches did not adequately satisfy the intent of the City's ordinance for tree mitigation. The Planning Page 9 of 14