Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landscaping topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Green wall, mural and landscaping waivers become condition of approval
Summary
Board members pressed for the green wall and mural to remain as mitigation in exchange for landscape waivers; the board added a condition requiring Option 1 (green wall and mural) for COA and for its recommendation on the plan development ordinance.
A central point of debate during public comment and board deliberations was whether the living green wall and mural (Option 1) should be required if the city grants landscaping waivers for the K Street Garage.
Staff described Option 1 as including a powder‑coated metal mesh trellis intended to support live plantings and a mural on the stair tower; the presentation noted the mural would require separate HRPB review. Board members repeatedly questioned who would maintain the green wall, what irrigation would be required and whether it was reasonable to grant waivers for a city project without ensuring on‑going maintenance. One board member said they would be “inclined to only give you the landscaping waiver with the green wall.”
During motions the board tied its approval and recommendation to Option 1: the motion approving the COA and the recommendation to the commission included an additional condition that the green wall and mural remain in place to justify landscaping waivers. Staff and the applicant agreed the mural and living wall as shown could be value‑engineered if budget constraints required it, but the HRPB’s recommendation makes the Option 1 design its preference going to the commission.
The question of maintenance and irrigation will be addressed through required landscape plans during the site‑plan and permitting process; staff noted attachments and full architectural plans are not uploaded to the board packet online for ADA/screen‑reader reasons but are available by public records request.
