HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-05-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; 593-5; Street tree varianceCITY OF CARLSBAD — AGENDA BILL
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RANCHO CARRILLO MASTER PLAN
(ACTION)
DEPT. HD.
CITY ATTY
CITY MGR.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the request by Rancho Carrillo for a variance to the City Landscape Manual
to substitute plant materials.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The City of Carlsbad's Landscape Manual outlines specific trees and shrubs to be
installed along certain major arterial roads. The intent of the Manual in this regards
is to create a unified character associated with segments of major roads.
As with any other requirement of the Manual, developers are permitted to request a
variance which may be granted by the City if it is warranted and meets certain
findings (refer to Exhibit 1). The developers of the Carrillo Ranch Master Plan are
requesting a variance to allow them to substitute tree and shrub types in the medians
of Melrose Avenue and Carrillo Way that they feel will be more appropriate for the
project (refer to Exhibit 2).
Because the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the landscaping and
maintenance of landscape medians, this request for a variance is before the Parks &
Recreation Commission. Staff has been working with the landscape architects for the
project to make sure the substitutions will not compromise the intent of the Landscape
Manual in terms of aesthetics or function (maintenance).
Staff feels that the proposed substitutions will create the desired character along
Melrose and Carrillo Way that was intended in the manual and that the maintenance
requirements of the plant materials are acceptable.
EXHIBITS:
1. Excerpts from Landscape Manual
2. Variance request
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c INTRODUCTION
(COnt)
VARIANCES AND ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE
Variances may be granted from the policies and requirements of this manual by
the City from time to time if undue hardships or special circumstances make the
variance request necessary.
Where the literal interpretation and enforcement of the requirements of this
document would result in practical difficulties, environmental degradation, or
results inconsistent with the general purpose of this document, formal written
request to vary from these requirements shall be made to the Planning Director,
City Engineer, or Parks and Recreation Director. The City department to which
this written request is made will depend on the type of variance requested and
which department is responsible to oversee the requirement for which the
variance is being sought.
Before any variance is granted, the following findings must be made:
1. That there are extraordinary or unusual circumstances or conditions
applicable to the project necessitating a variance from the requirements of
this document.
2. That the proposed variance will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and
general welfare of persons residing, working, playing, or traveling through
the area and will not adversely impact other property in the vicinity.
3. That the proposed variance meets the intent of the policies and
requirements of this document.
The written request for variance shall describe the variance and justification for
such variance and address how each of the findings above can be made.
If, in the opinion of the Planning Director, City Engineer, or Parks and Recreation
Director, the variance is justified and the findings can be made to support the
variance, the variance may be issued by the applicable City department without a
public hearing.
City may decide, at their discretion, to put the variance before the Planning
Commission and/or Parks and Recreation Commission for public hearing if it
is felt that the variance is of such a nature that Commission and public review
is warranted.
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EXHIBIT 1 Introduction
C APPENDIX C
(cont)
VI, C
MEDIAN ISLAND CONCRETE:
(Only applicable if street is improved to current arterial standards.)
Surface Texture - Riverstone ("Bomanite" pattern or equal)
Color - Natural with exposed aggregate
j CARRILLO WAY
THEME:
Riparian and historical context
PLANTING SCHEME:
Informal
LANDSCAPE:
Median Tree - Populus fremontii, Western Cottonwood
Median Shrub - Trachelospermum jasminoides, Star Jasmine
Theme Tree - Alnus rhombifolia, White Alder
Support Trees - Liquidamber styraciflua
Populus fremontii, Western Cottonwood
MEDIAN ISLAND CONCRETE:
Surface Texture - Riverstone ("Bomanite" color or equal)
Color - Dark Grey
COLLEGE BOULEVARD
THEME:
Neighborhood identity and character
PLANTING SCHEME:
Informal
LANDSCAPE:
Median Tree - Pyrus kawakamii, Evergreen Pear
Median Shrub - Carissa g. "Prostata," Prostrate NatalPalm
Theme Tree - Cinnamomum camphora, Camphor Tree
Support Trees - Eucalyptus species
Liriodendron tulipifera, Tulip Tree
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Appendix C.I-3
VI.C APPENDIX C
(cont)
POINSETTIA LANE
THEME:
Flowering Streetscape
PLANTING SCHEME:
Informal
LANDSCAPE:
Median Tree - Magnolia grandiflora, Southern Magnolia
Median Shrub - Prittosporum "Wheeleri"
Theme Tree - Magnolia grandiflora, Southern Magnolia
Support Trees - Brachychiton acerifolia, Flame Tree
Stenocarpus sinuatus. Fire Wheel Tree
MEDIAN ISLAND CONCRETE:
To match existing median condition on Poinsettia
RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD/MELROSE DRIVE
THEME:
Foothills Landscape
PLANTING SCHEME:
Informal
LANDSCAPE:
Median Tree - Pinus roxburghii, Chir Pine
Median Shrub - Juniperus c. "Pfitzerana compacta" (Rancho Santa Fe)
Pittosporum t. "Wheelerii" (Melrose Drive)
Theme Tree - Pinus torreyana, Torrey Pine
Support Tree - Jacaranda acutifolia
Pinus roxburghii, Chir Pine
MEDIAN ISLAND CONCRETE:
To match existing in Rancho Santa Fe Road.
Appendix C. 1-6
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RANCHQ CARRILLQ
Request for Variance and Alternate Compliance
to the City of Carlsbad Landscape Manual
REQUEST:
The property owners within the Rancho Carrillo Master Plan Area request a variance to the City's
Landscape Manual (Section IVD Streetscapc Program and Section IVC - Appendix C, Arterial
Streetscape Themes).
Consideration for a variance and alternative compliance is allowed under Section IH of the manual.
PURPOSE:
The landscape theme at Rancho Carrillo will be carefully planned to reflect the "heritage" of theCarrillo Rancho and respond to the area's natural landforms and existing drought tolerant and
native plant communities.
This corresponds directly to the "intent" of the City Landscape Manual's policy which states that
"..routes will each have individual Streetscape themes creating a
recognizable identity for each particular thoroughfare or segment of
thoroughfare. The themes are based on the character or heritage of
that specific area of Carlsbad".
We strongly believe that our proposal will achieve this, and significantly improve the City's
Streetscape program. Our purpose at Rancho Carrillo is to reinforce and enhance the Streetscape
program oy retaining specific plants, but also proposing other plants that respond more directly to:
1. The Rancho Carrillo park subcommittee's expressed desire to
link the existing "rancho" landscape character to the arterial
road streetscapes.
2. Strengthen the Streetscape and overall landscaping by
accentuating historical, natural, and architectural elements of
Carlsbad.
3. The City Landscape Manual's water conservation program.
We are focusing on a landscape concept which utilizes many drought tolerant plants, trees with
gray-green colors, and a variety of flowering shrubs and shrub ground covers. We have
coordinated the general planting layouts and plant palettes with Doug Duncanson of the Parks andRecreation Department so that our proposed list of plants will conform to City Maintenance
considerations.
PROPOSED CHANGES:
(Refer also to attached Plant Lists - Exhibit A)
I. MELROSE AVENU&RANCHQ SANTA FE ROAD The landscape manual's "foothills"
landscape theme for this roadway seems very fitting. The Streetscape character has been
established by the street improvements and adjacent development to the south of our
project. We propose that mis theme and a majority of the tree palette remains remains the
same as the roads traveling the length of the master plan area. This would mean that the
EXHIBIT 2 47
519 I iv-.vl 90-90-CG61
Torrcy pines and Jacarandas would predominate, pulling back only to allow California
Sycamores to punctuate the streetscape as it crosses the mam valley open space.
A. REQUEST:
1. CHANGE the median island tree FROM Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine) TO
Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red Flowering gum). Allow accent planting of
Jacaranda acutifolia (Jacaranda) - not to exceed 10%.
2. SUBSTITUTE a large variety of shrubs and shrub ground covers for visual
interest.
II. CARRILLO WAY Carrillo Way carries the same namesake as the master plan and is a tie
to the area's heritage. This roadway enters from the west and will terminate at Melrose
Avenue in the heart of the Rancho Carrillo master plan. We feel the theme of Riparian and
Historical Context is very accurate, but the specific palette of trees meant to reflect the
theme could be strengthened by substituting trees more appropriate to the adjacent
character, visual appearance, and historical context of Rancho Carrillo.
A. REQUEST:
1. CHANGE the median island tree FROM Populus fremontii (Western
Cottonwood) TO Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cajeput tree).
2. CHANGE the theme tree FROM Alnus rhombifolia (White Alder) TO
Platanus racemosa (California Sycamore).
3. CHANGE the support trees FROM Liquidambar styraciflua (American
Sweetgum) and Populus fremontii (Western Cottonwood) TO Schinus
molle (California Pepper) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cajeput tree).
4. SUBSTITUTE a larger variety of shrubs and shrub ground covers for
visual interest.
CONCLUSION:
The proposed changes are recommended to emphasize the rancho landscape character, accentuate
the historical, natural, and architectural elements of Carlsbad, and respond to the City's water
conservation program".
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
The heritage of Rancho Carrillo is extremely significant! Establishing a landscape theme
which complements this heritage represents a truly unique opportunity to the City of
Carlsbad,
Since the existing rancho possesses a distinct historical landscape character, this "special
circumstance" should be allowed to extend into the arterial streetscapes of the area.
In addition, much of Rancho Carrillo's landscape will consist of native and enhanced open
space, riparian and hillside areas.
As a result, visual compatibility (color, form, character) is extremely important to create the
appropriate transition from the natural, historic rancho and newly developed areas..
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HEALTH. SAFETY AND WELFARE
Implementation of the proposed changes will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and
general welfare of the public and residents. The proposed changes will actually result in
greater water conservation, and in some cases, reduce the potential of damage to public
improvements. Creating a truly unique environment will also result in greater public
interest and enjoyment
MEETING THE INTENT OP THE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF
THE LANDSCAPE MANUAL
This proposal meets the INTENT of the policies and requirements of the Landscape
Manual.
It provides a common visual link which is important to the overall streetscape program.
It also expands the concept of recognizable identity, which in this case, is entirely justified,
due to the significance of the site's historical and natural resources. The Landscape Manual
does allow for a segment of the thoroughfare to have its own individual streetscape theme
(Section IVD, 4-1.2).
49
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EXHIBIT "A"
RANCHQ CARRILLO STREETSCAPES
PROPOSED CHANGES AT STREETSCAPES
DEFINED IN THE CITY LANDSCAPE MANUAL
May 6,1993
MELROSE AVENUE (Palomar Airport Road to Alga Roadl
A. LANDSCAPE THEME:
"Foothills" landscape
B. PLANTING SCHEME:
"Informal"
C. LANDSCAPE/HARDSCAPE:
1.Median
a.Trees
• Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red Flowering gum)
• Jacaranda acutifolia (Jacaranda) - not to exceed 10%.
b. Shrubs
Limonium perezii - (Statice)
Rhapiolepis indica 'Ballerina' - (India Hawthorn)
Strelitzia reginnae • (Bird of Paradise)
Aloe striata - (Aloe)
Pelargonium peltatum "balcon" - (Ivy Geranium)
c. Concrete - to match existing.
2. Theme tree
a. Pinus torreyana - (Torrey Pine)
3. Support trees
a. Eucalyptus ficifolia (Red Flowering gum)
b. Jacaranda acutifolia (Jacaranda)
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II. CARRTLLQ WAY (Melrose Avenue to El Fuerte^
A. LANDSCAPE THEME:
' "Riparian"
B. PLANTING SCHEME:
"Informal"
C. LANDSCAPE/HARDSCAPE
1. Median
a. Trees
• Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cajeput)
b. Shrubs
• Pelargonium peltatum "balcon" (Ivy Geranium)
• Trachelospermum jasminoides - (Star Jasmine)
• Strelitzia reginnae (Bird of Paradise)
• Carissa grandiflora "Tuttle" (Natal Plum)
c. Concrete
1) Surface Texture - "Riverstone, Bomanite or
equal"
2) Color - Dark Gray
2. Theme tree
a. Platanus raccraosa - (California Sycamore)
3. Support trees
a. Schinus molle - (California Pepper)
b. Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cajeput Tree).
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