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August 26, 2021 <br /> Rockefeller Square 2 <br /> Landscape Modification Application - Narrative <br /> This narrative statant is to accompany the landscape modification application for <br /> the Rockefeller Square Phase 2 project. <br /> Background: Rockefeller Square Phase 1 is the adjacent property to the south. It <br /> is scheduled for completion in the fall of this year. Phase 2 is to be a building with <br /> the same floorplan and with only minor changes to color and fenestration. The City <br /> of Everett made code changes to the landscape requirements just days before the <br /> permit drawings were submitted for Phase 2. It is our understanding per city <br /> documents that the code changes were not intended to substantially change <br /> setback or landscape requirements. The changes were meant to be a <br /> reorganization and simplification of the code. Several inadvertent changes have <br /> nonetheless occurred that are causing permitting obstacles. We understand that <br /> the city staff is reviewing and reversing some of these inadvertent code changes. <br /> This process is lengthy because the new changes need to be approved by the City <br /> Council. This Landscape Modification is requesting a common-sense fix to one <br /> such landscape change so that the permitting process is not further stalled. <br /> The previous code required a three-foot landscape strip across the front of the <br /> project. The changed code requires a landscape strip that is the full width of the <br /> building setback (10 feet for UR4). It does not seem to make allowances for <br /> porches or ADA ramps. We believe common sense would say it is implied that such <br /> allowances could be approved. Our proposed plans have just this. The area <br /> between the back of sidewalk and the front of the building are to be landscaped <br /> wherever there are not steps, ADA ramp, or porch. Additionally, we propose to <br /> increase the street trees provided by reducing their spacing to 30-foot centers for <br /> Phase 2. The attached sheet shows this in plan view. The width of the landscape <br /> buffer ranges from about 14-feet to about Y-6". <br /> 11 Page <br /> l-1 ll� <br /> Rockefeller Square <br />