Consultants propose 200‑foot Cosgray setback, rolling mounds and dense planting to screen ID‑6

MKSK consultants presented the Setback and Screening Design Manual intended to implement the ID‑6 Research Transition District’s street edge and buffer treatments.

Chris Herman (MKSK) said the manual is an extension of Chapter 150‑340 and is specific to the ID‑6 area; it treats setbacks from future right‑of‑way and covers both building and pavement edges. The presentation divided conditions into three edge types: primary streets (Cosgray Road) where mounding and dense plantings form a park‑like screen, Shire Rings where smaller mounds and dense planting will be used, and internal local streets that rely on dense plantings with limited visual connection.

MKSK recommended undulating mounds with a public‑side maximum slope of 6:1 and private side up to 3:1, tree installation sizes of 2–3 inch caliper, staggered spacing (6–10 ft on center), and layered plantings to achieve near‑term opacity. The consultants said stormwater features should be placed behind mounds and shared‑use paths should meander through the mounding where feasible. Chris Herman described the intent as creating “a park like environment” along Cosgray that also meets a 90% screening goal when mounds and plantings are combined.

Commissioners raised concerns about the cost and developer burden of large mounds and extensive planting; MKSK and staff acknowledged cost concerns but emphasized the manual’s goal of long‑term corridor character and the city’s willingness to apply the manual project‑by‑project. Staff said the manual will be codified with the district so individual projects must conform to the guidelines or seek code amendments.