LS Review Letter
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
105 Yelm Avenue West
P.O. Box 479
Yelm, WA 98597
To: Geoff Sherwin, Apex Engineering
Kathleen Bradley Reader, Bradley Design Group
From: Tami Merriman, Assistant Planner
Date: November 19, 2004
Re: Landscape plan review for NAPA Auto Parts
The City has completed its review of the landscape plans submitted November 15, 2004. There are a couple of items that need revised before they can be approved.
I have a concern with the evergreen trees proposed for the 8-foot perimeter landscape strip on the northwestern side of the property. These evergreen trees can grow quite large and
may become a burden for the building and parking areas, as well as causing site distance and sign blockage. I would suggest that from the rear of the building out to Yelm Avenue, a
mix of smaller evergreen and decidous trees be planted. These may be planted at an average of 20-feet on center, with shrubs in between.
Although the Autumn Blaze Maple is listed on our street tree list, it is a large tree. This may cause a sight distance issue with traffic entering and exiting this site, as well as
site distance of the intersection. I would suggest that the two Maple trees located at the driveway entrance on Yelm Avenue be replaced with a smaller species of street tree.
City of Yelm Design Guidelines sections I.F.(1), and II.F.(1), require corner lots to provide enhancement, and pedestrian access. This plan does not provide for the sidewalk to connect
to the pedestrian access through the parking lot, nor does it provide adequate corner enhancement.
At the eastern driveway entrance, the sidewalk shall be connected from the public right-of-way to the pedestrian access through the parking lot. Exact placement of the connection to
the sidewalk, provided it meets ADA requirements, is at your discretion.
A decorative screen wall enhancement shall be installed, similar to the screen walls installed at other intersections. You may wish to look at the corner of Yelm Avenue and Vancil Road.
Both Rite-Aid and Jack-in-the-Box have installed a “river rock” wall, with pedestrian seating. At the corner of Yelm Avenue, and Plaza Drive, Dairy Queen also installed a decorative
screen wall, but matched the facing of the wall to their building
facade. This screen wall and landscaping will meet the corner enhancement requirements of the City, and also increase the visibility of this project.
Although not a requirement of the landscape plan, business signage should be considered to prevent landscaping from blocking your sign, or the need to remove landscaping once installed.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. I can be reached at (360) 458-8496.
Sincerely,
Tami Merriman
Assistant Planner