Applicant asks to relocate foundation plantings for Cedar Tree site plan; staff calls request self-imposed

An applicant for the Cedar Tree site plan asked the Lebanon Planning Commission to allow foundation plantings to be relocated along a screening fence, saying the plants would not be visible from the road; planning staff urged denial, calling the request a self-imposed hardship.

Planning staff reviewed the Cedar Tree site plan (about 326.4 acres on Lebanon Road) and said the developer previously received multiple variances and that a development agreement for a trail to Carabin Park must be approved before final site-plan sign-off. Staff said a prior July 2025 denial concerned removing foundation plantings and that today’s request was to relocate, not eliminate, them. "Staff opposes this request because it is a self imposed hardship," staff said, adding the code can be met without a variance.

Joshua Denton, speaking for the applicant, said the plantings would be moved in front of the screening fence so they would not be seen from the road and would be maintained as required. "We're just asking to relocate them," Denton said, and argued the relocation would still provide screening of dock doors behind the fence.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions; no final vote was recorded during the session. The commission indicated further review and a continued opportunity to question the applicant at the next hearing.