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Planning commission cannot reach recommendation on 12‑foot wall for Home Depot/PD‑34; item goes to council without commission endorsement
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a staff request to amend PD‑34 to require a 12‑foot masonry wall and adjusted landscape setbacks adjacent to residences as part of the Home Depot project at 575 E. The commission forwarded no recommendation to council after a 3‑yes outcome—a result short of the four votes needed for a positive recommendation.
The planning commission on Jan. 21 considered a text amendment to Article 22‑11‑47 H3 and H4 and an exhibit in Appendix BB tied to the recently approved PD‑34 zone change for the Home Depot project at 575 East. Staff said the council had asked the applicant (Woodbury/Home Depot) to increase masonry wall height to 12 feet where the development abuts residential lots and to convey small parcels so adjacent homeowners gain a larger separation from the wall; short changes to the landscaping strip on the Home Depot side would reflect the dedication.
Staff and the applicant explained the plan: the 12‑foot wall is intended to mitigate truck‑dock and delivery noise along portions of the site where heavy maneuvering is expected; acoustic consultants told the applicant the existing 8‑foot wall would be effective in many locations but the areas near the truck dock benefit from 12 feet. Commissioners questioned whether the 12‑foot wall runs the full length, the plan for lighting and signs on the back side of the building, the fate of a proposed park (neighborhood feedback opposed it), and remedies if operational noise becomes unmanageable.
Vote and action: A motion was made to forward a recommendation of approval to city council, but the commission did not reach the requisite four affirmative votes. The chair stated the commission recorded three positive votes and therefore a "no recommendation" will be forwarded to council. The staff RDA participation agreement has been amended to reflect the arrangement, and any site plan or subdivision will be required to mirror the approved exhibit if the code change is adopted by council.
Next steps: The item will proceed to city council without a planning commission recommendation. Council will review the exhibit, amended participation agreement and any site plan documentation in a future council packet; if neighbors raise operational concerns after construction, staff said remedies include code enforcement for noise and adjustments to lighting and signage to reduce glare.
