From: Michael Behrendt Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 1:46 PM Subject: Lodges - revised Landscape Plan - email from Parry To the PB, Please see John Parry’s comments on the updated planting plan for the Lodges. Michael Behrendt Director of Planning and Community Development Town of Durham 8 Newmarket Road Durham, New Hampshire 03824-2898 (603) 868-8064 (phone) mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us www.ci.durham.nh.us From: John Parry [] Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 1:32 PM To: Michael Behrendt Cc: external forward for awelsh; external forward for dcarroll; external forward for rmower; Beth Olshansky Subject: Revised Peak Landscape Plan Hi Michael - Can you please pass on the letter below for the Planning Board meeting tonight. Thanks - John Nov. 12, 2014 Dear Planning Board I am writing to provide comment on the proposed landscape plan for the Peak Development on Mast Rd. I had provided some comments a couple of weeks ago, but wanted to follow up on the revised proposal. PROPOSED LANDSCAPE PLAN – WEST SIDE WALL The new plan looks better, but I did have a few suggestions/comments. This currently just shows 1 row of trees at the left or north end of the wall. Is there space to fit in a second row here? 3 rows would be better if space allows, but if not I think two rows is adequate. The change from White Pine to Norway Spruce is better - might still consider mixing in a 3rd conifer species for diversity. Space the trees to allow room for growth, while also providing some immediate buffering of the wall (minimum of 15 feet apart). There is a lot of vegetation coming in on its own in the 30 foot wide strip – some of it is invasive. I would have all invasive removed by hand, and this may need to be done for a few years. Where desirable vegetation is coming in, leave it as long as it is not competing with the planted trees. There is some aspen coming up in this area, and I would keep some of those as they will grow fast (however some may out compete your planted trees and should be controlled. Around each planted tree remove competing vegetation that is within a few feet (maybe using a weed eater, again this may need to be done for a few years until the planted trees get larger. I don’t know much about ivy, but the recommendation to use that on the wall sounds reasonable. Make sure it is not invasive. West facing wall will be warm and dry - Select species that can tolerate that. You might also consider installing planters at top of wall. There are some types of low ground shrubs (such as juniper) that have a drooping effect that might hang down a couple of feet from the top of the wall and buffer this hard edge (ask a landscape architect for species recommendations). LANDSCAPING ALONG MAST RD. I think the proposed plan here looks better with an improved mix of species. As before, space trees to allow room for growth, while also close enough to buffer buildings (minimum of 15 feet apart for trees and less for shrubs). I don’t think there are trees here to totally screen the buidlings, but perhaps that is not possible with the space available for planting. WEST EDGE OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS ABOVE THE WALL I know there is a desire to create more of a buffer here for the buildings, which are visible from some distance coming from the west. This does seem desirable and doable (with some creative thinking). The strip of soil along the top of the wall would have been possible for some tree planting, however the installation of the chain-link fence and guard rail here, currently make planting suitable buffer trees impractical. There is space for planting evergreen shrubs (and possibly small ornamental deciduous trees) and I think that should be considered. If changes were made, such as moving the guardrail, I think there is enough rooting space (7’) to plant small to medium size trees, however species selected would need to have a narrow or columnar crown shape to avoid conflicts with parked cars and the fence. Another option would be to take 2 or 3 of the parking spots along this area and turn them into tree planting islands – remove the pavement, replace the soil and plant appropriate tree species. This would need curbing around it to divert salt water drainage. Assuming a parking space is approx. 10 ‘ wide, it would be possible to plant a deciduous tree with a large mature height such as oak or maple. Conifers would provide a better screen, however it would likely need to be a species with a narrow crown to avoid conflicts. On the plan there are 6 deciduous trees along with 9 coniferous trees planned (or already planted?) near the buildings. Some of the species chosen are suited to the site, but don’t make the best choice to provide screening (Honey Locust, White Birch). If not already planted consider substituting other species that will grow larger and provide more screening. Consider other sites to add additional trees. For all of the planting - I did not see maintenance addressed. The trees should be planted correctly, mulched, watered and maintained regularly for at least the first 2 – 3 years. Well maintained young trees will get established quicker, grow faster and make a better screen. Thanks for the opportunity to provide comment on this. John E. Parry 5 Denbow Rd., Durham, NH