20150182 Email on landscaping 05262016
Karen Bennett
From:Molly Carmody [molly@crowelaw.net]
Sent:Thursday, May 26, 2016 5:19 PM
To:Tami Merriman; Grant Beck; Gary Carlson; Karen Bennett
Subject:Civil Plan Q
Hi Community Development!
I'm never sure who's in charge of the civil plans these days, and anyway with Ryan leaving, I don't know what's
going where. My question is, as asked by our engineer:
"Considering that the building itself is on the historic registry, is the style of landscaping also considered
"historic" and therefore not required to conform to modern regulations? For example, the lawn wouldn't
necessarily be approved today, but a 'groundcover' style xeriscaping or water-conscious landscaping would
detract from the exterior style of the building. Is the style of landscaping considered "historic" and therefore
grandfathered in?"
My note: I personally hate the boxwoods. They're ugly and they stink. Like they literally smell like cat pee.
Various pictures throughout the years show different plants in the front yard. For example, at one point, there
were tall columnar evergreens right in front of each building column. The border, now containing boxwoods,
has changed to either have plants or not have plants. I'd like to change the boxwoods. Half are dead anyway.
We're NOT talking about the frontage improvements - we know that we have to do those. We're talking very
specifically about the style of landscaping; whether turf is allowed now, etc.
What do you guys think? What's the ruling on this? Should we talk to the Historic Commission or what? I'm
afraid to move forward with a plan that relies on the existing style if the city is going to make me change it to
reflect modern regs.
Thanks,
Molly Carmody
Paralegal
The Crowe Law Office
715 Yelm Ave E, #1
Yelm, WA 98597
360.960.8366
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