Commission approves tree replacement plan for Huntington Plaza; owner to add new trees and may return with furnishings

The Downtown Commission approved a modification to the previously approved landscape plan for Huntington Plaza (Huntington Plaza at the southeast corner of Broad and Brent) that replaces existing honey locust trees with 4.5-inch-caliper London plane trees and reduces the number of tree rows from three to two.

Mark Auerz of Monarchitects, testifying for the applicant, told the commission the change was prompted by the need to install electrical conduits and deep foundations for new festoon lighting; excavation and vehicle access to install deep foundations risked damaging the existing tree roots. "We're putting a lot of electrical conduits and foundations in to support the festoon lighting overhead…we just got really nervous," Auerz said.

Auerz said the design team had already tagged replacement London plane trees at a nursery and that the new design retains the approved layout while altering tree species and spacing. Commissioners supported the change but asked the applicant to ensure new trees are planted in adequate soil medium and flagged the plaza's lack of furnishings; applicants said the building owner will return with a site-furnishing application after construction.

A motion to approve the landscape modification carried on a voice vote. Staff noted the change is consistent with downtown design guidelines' call for high-quality durable materials and complementary landscaping and will be implemented by the project's construction team.

Provenance: Staff presentation begins at 00:22:37; applicant testimony begins at 00:24:10 and the vote occurs at 00:28:52.