Commission grants two landscape waivers for Northeast Park parking expansion

The Greenwood Advisory Planning Commission on Monday approved two landscaping waivers for a proposed roughly 28-space parking lot at Northeast Park, finding the park27s existing mature canopy and perimeter landscaping met the intent of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Rob Taggart, director of the Greenwood Parks and Recreation Department, presented the request. He said the new parking area is proposed for the park27s northern section and that the park contains many mature tree canopies that provide distributed landscaping across the site. Taggart said the department plans to add two trees on the north side of the parking area.

Planning staff recommended the waivers after reviewing site photos and existing tree cover, noting the park27s mature canopies and previous heavy construction access needs (for example, installation of a restroom structure) made meeting standard interior island/continuous perimeter planting requirements impractical.

Commissioner Stanwell moved to approve the waiver for off-street parking islands and interior parking lot landscaping; Commissioner Lexi seconded. The motion passed 9-0. Commissioner Stanwell then moved to approve the waiver for perimeter planting standards (minimum 5-foot planting strip and tree/understory counts); Commissioner Milborn seconded. That motion also carried 9-0.

The waivers allow the parks department to proceed with the parking project while retaining and prioritizing existing mature trees elsewhere in the park; the department will add some plantings where feasible.