Eugene Planning Commission <br />August 22, 2016 <br />Page 9 <br />that runs along the western boundary of the property. That access way requires the removal of a <br />substantial number of the significant trees on the site. <br />The siting and design limitations the site and code impose on this project are plainly explained <br />in Exhibit 11 (Application Attachment 'D' Site Plan). That plan not only clearly shows the <br />"Emergency Fire Truck Access" along the western boundary, but the limitations imposed by the <br />20 foot fire lane and the "Fire Truck Turning Radius" required at the northwest corner and the <br />southern end of the property. This is what the narrative passage quoted above means by, "The <br />need to provide adequate vehicle circulation around the hotel - particularly for fire apparatus[.]" <br />The tree preservation site plan and other design decisions are supported by arborist reports, <br />attached as Attachment N to the revised application narrative and hereto as Exhibit 12. <br />Opponents argue that more trees can be protected by reducing the number of parking spaces for <br />the application; however, the Planning Commissioners can see that it is not the parking spaces <br />that require removal of the trees along the eastern and western property lines, but the required <br />fire access roads surrounding the building and their mandatory lane widths. <br />EC 9.8840(2)(b) states that the project should be designed and sited to preserve significant trees <br />to the greatest degree attainable or feasible. Significant trees along the north property line and <br />the panhandle have been preserved, as has the southern-most tree on the property. Those trees <br />have several of the identified characteristics from the approval criterion, to include: mature and <br />healthy trees having a reasonable chance of survival (1); trees located in vegetated areas or in <br />stands (2); that fulfill a screening function or provide shade to pavement areas (3); provide a <br />buffer between uses (4); and are located along perimeter areas (5). However, due to fire <br />apparatus vehicle circulation requirements, it is not feasible to protect other significant trees <br />along the east and west property lines. The building has been designed to be as narrow as <br />possible while retaining its intended function, and it is sited where it must be given the existing <br />easements on the property. <br />The Planning Commission should conclude that the evidence in the record demonstrates that the <br />project has been designed and sited to preserve significant trees to the greatest degree attainable <br />or feasible and reverse the Hearings Official's conclusion otherwise. <br />Additional Conditions of Approval Recommended by the Hearings Official <br />At two places in the decision, in recognition that reasonable persons could review the evidence <br />and conclude that the proposal satisfies the approval criteria, the Hearings Official <br />recommended two conditions of approval should a reviewing body decide to approve the <br />application. See Decision p. 9-10; 12. The Applicant requests that the Planning Commission <br />impose the following proposed conditions of approval consistent with the Hearings Official's <br />recommendations. <br />"The development shall provide a weather protection feature within 30 feet of <br />each entrance to the hotel building." <br />