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Commission approves Studio Rez landscape amendment and fee-in-lieu for missing canopy trees
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a site-plan amendment for Studio Rez (a 124-room hotel) and approved a fee-in-lieu (caliper-inch payment) because utility conflicts prevent planting the required canopy trees on site; staff said the town will use the funds to plant equivalent trees elsewhere.
Staff presented an alternate landscape plan for Studio Rez, a 124-room hotel under construction, explaining that previously approved tree locations cannot be planted due to utility conflicts and that an alternate planting plan or a fee-in-lieu would be needed to meet canopy requirements. Nathan said the alternate plan reduced the number of canopy trees in required locations and that a fee of $12,000 based on caliper-inch calculations has been established for situations where planting is infeasible.
Commissioners discussed precedent and implementation. One asked whether funds used by the town to plant replacement trees would increase maintenance burdens (watering), and staff said the town would try to plant in locations where the trees could be watered and maintained. A motion to approve the alternate landscape plan with the proposed caliper-inch fee to be used by the town to plant equivalent trees was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
Why it matters: the decision allows a project already under construction to proceed while ensuring the town receives funds to meet canopy requirements elsewhere, balancing construction realities with the town's overall tree canopy and landscape standards.
Next steps: staff will forward the recommendation and fee condition to town council for final action and will work with the applicant and utilities to finalize any minor adjustments.
