Commissioners request shade and benches; tree replacement set by municipal code

Planning staff noted the landscape plan shows 42 trees on-site, 28 of which are ordinance-sized and 13 of those ordinance trees will require removal and replacement following the municipal code's ratio requirements. "There's a total of 42, which 28 of the 42 are considered ordinance sized trees," Senior Planner Tiffany Brown told the commission during the presentation.

Several commissioners expressed concern that the proposed playground may lack adequate shade and seating for supervising adults in Morgan Hill's warm climate. Commissioners asked for a solar/shade study and suggested adding trellises or shade sails and additional benching; the applicant said the building may cast some shade but agreed to study and coordinate with staff on shade and fence details. Staff indicated the playground perimeter will use a six-foot black steel picket fence and that benches and additional trellis shading could be added based on a detailed landscape and sun analysis.

The commission recorded those design directions and asked staff to continue working with the applicant to finalize the playground layout, fencing and shade/bench provisions as conditions of the design permit.