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Commission refines setback, tree, and screening standards for Cosgray Road buffer
Summary
Staff and the landscape consultant outlined a 200‑foot setback along Cosgray Road, a goal of ~90% landscape opacity, and recommended planting standards (minimum 30 trees per 100 feet; deciduous 2–3 inch caliper; evergreen 12–14 ft) to achieve consistent buffers between ID‑6 and nearby residences.
As part of the ID‑6 design manual, staff and the project landscape consultant described how setbacks and plantings will produce a visual and physical buffer along Cosgray Road.
Staff reiterated a 200‑foot setback measured from the future right‑of‑way and said planting specifications are intended to achieve about 90% opacity using staggered plantings and a minimum planting density (30 trees per 100 feet). Tyler Clark, the landscape consultant, said the sizes (deciduous 2–3‑inch caliper, evergreen 12–14‑foot height) were chosen as a balance between visual effectiveness and affordability and that fast‑growing species were selected so screening could mature in a few years. "We're trying to essentially set these at the largest, most mature size that would be the betterment and the health of the tree long term... and reasonable in terms of affordability given the amount that are required," Clark said.
Commissioners asked about preserving existing mature tree lines and root protection zones; staff said existing trees along parcel lines would be preserved to the greatest extent possible and that root protection and inspection are part of the development review and enforcement process.
