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HomeMy WebLinkAbout026 - Appendix S - Depature NarrativeJanuary 2025 Meadow Bridge Departure Request | 1 Meadow Bridge Preliminary Plat Application Departure Request 06.03.2025 Project Overview Meadow Bridge (the “Neighborhood” or the “Property”) is an approximately 27-acre property surrounded by the cross streets Parkway Avenue, Last Loop Drive, Blackwood Road, South 23rd Avenue and is bisected by Kurk Drive. This project will further divide one parcel (totaling approximately 25.34 acres) into 45 buildable lots (8.53 acres), 1 park lot (3.46 acres), 2 open space lots (10.13 acres) and road Rights-of-Ways (3.22 acres). There have been several Pre-Application calls and a formal Subdivision Pre- application to discuss this project. The applicant is requesting one departure to the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards Manual under BMC 38.550.060. The requested departure is in Section 1.4 Departures. Specifically, the Established Vegetation Preservation departure to preserve trees on site to meet the tree planting requirements of the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards Manual. During discussions with city staff and throughout the ongoing design process, became clear that the new landscaping coverage requirements, particularly regarding landscaping and irrigation within open spaces, conflicted with the core principles of water conservation. It was concluded that an established vegetation departure, reducing the area needing new landscaping, would be in the best interest of both the city and the applicant. This approach would allow for a more water-efficient landscape design in these open spaces, one that better preserves their natural state. This would also be in keeping with the ethos of the neighborhood and the City’s water conservation goals. This document, along with the attached materials, outlines the reasoning and justification for this departure. Response to Departure Criteria 1. The existing vegetation is healthy; a. Note: For the preservation of existing trees, an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist must determine that the tree(s) proposed to be preserved on site are healthy. Response: It is the opinion of our professional Landscape Architect, based on a site visit and review of reference images, that the existing vegetation on the site appears healthy and can be preserved. 2. The existing vegetation does not contain noxious or invasive plants; Response: The Weed Management Plan (included as separate appendices) documents the noxious weeds onsite and identifies a plan to remediate them. June 2025 Meadow Bridge Departure Request | 2 3. The existing vegetation has a high chance of survival after project completion; Response: The existing vegetation has a high chance of survival as there are limited to no construction activities in the vicinity. 4. The existing vegetation will be appropriately protected during project construction; and Response: Appropriate construction measures will be taken into account to ensure that the existing vegetation is protected. Additionally, the wetland area associated with the intermittent stream will be subject to a monitoring plan to ensure the success of both the wetland and the existing vegetation. 5. New irrigation is not necessary to support the established vegetation. Response: No irrigation is necessary to support the established vegetation.