Commissioners approve Crete Carrier parking-lot replacement; FAA sign-off required

The Planning Commission approved a site plan for Crete Carrier (operating at 695 West 1100 North) to replace an asphalt parking area with concrete, expand operations onto adjacent property and install a deeper, drought-tolerant landscape buffer.

Staff (Mackenzie) described the project as replacing the existing asphalt with concrete, improving a 20-foot landscape buffer, flipping the park strip, and removing a redundant drive access to reduce curb cuts. Because part of the property aligns with Skypark Airport, staff recommended a condition requiring Crete Carrier to obtain FAA approval of landscaping, lighting and any vertical elements that could affect the runway. "Because it is in line with the Skypark Airport, we are requiring as a condition or recommending as a condition that they get a letter of approval from the FAA on their landscape plan, lighting plan, and anything else that could have some sort of vertical interference with the runway," Mackenzie said.

Staff also advised removal of tall-growing vegetation along the new frontage because prior FAA review had objected to street trees in the park strip near the runway. Commissioners asked whether the FAA maintains an approved list of species; staff said FAA guidance focuses on height and proximity rather than a species list. The commission approved the site plan with conditions to correct engineering red lines and to obtain FAA approvals before installing landscaping, fencing or lighting.

Next steps: applicant must obtain FAA letters and complete engineering corrections prior to installation of conditioned elements.