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Planning staff, BZA condition lead Prospect Street parking lot owner to propose screening
Summary
Owners of the unpermitted parking area at 215–217 Prospect Street returned to the Project Review Committee Feb. 14 to discuss screening after the Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance conditioned on planning-board review; the committee asked for site photos and a screening plan showing plantings or fencing alternatives.
Property owner Andy Schreck appeared before the Project Review Committee on Feb. 14 to discuss screening for a parking area behind 215–217 Prospect Street, a lot the owner acknowledged was built "without approvals."
Sam Quinn Jacobs, planner and staff to the board, told the committee the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) issued a variance earlier in the month with a condition requiring the owner to work with the planning board on screening. "They received a variance for the condition that they work with planning board, to screen in the parking lot to the most practical extent possible," Sam said.
Committee members and staff agreed the matter requires measurable plans. The owner had previously provided photographs; PRC asked for a more comprehensive photo set and a site-plan sketch showing where screening could be placed, how it would meet visibility and setback considerations, and whether fencing or plantings would be used. Lisa Nicholas (director of planning and development) noted that fencing may not count toward landscape-compliance methods in some contexts and suggested coordination with staff to identify acceptable screening strategies. Max Pfeffer asked whether grading changes were planned; Schreck said the slope would remain unchanged and that existing trees provide more foliage in summer.
Committee members asked the owner to provide: - 360-degree photographs taken from the middle of the parking area to show sight lines from adjacent properties; - a sketch plan showing potential planting or fencing locations and maintenance considerations; and - coordination with staff (Nikki or Lisa) before the next meeting to ensure the proposed approach aligns with city standards.
The committee noted that in some cases fencing does not meet landscape-compliance standards and that plantings may be preferred if feasible on the sloped terrain. No final site-plan approval was granted at the meeting; staff said planning-board review could lead to final approval if proposed screening satisfies the BZA condition.
No formal motions or votes were recorded during the discussion.
