From: 	Jeff Tarling
To:	Jean Fraser
CC:	David Margolis-Pineo;  Errico Thomas
Date: 	7/22/2011 4:57 PM
Subject: 	McFarland Spring Corp., 280 Warren Avenue / Landscape Review

Jean -   
 
I have reviewed the proposed expansion of the McFarland Spring site at 280 Warren Avenue and offer the following comments & recommendations:
 
a)  Tree & landscape improvements -  Depending on the driveway access openings to Warren Avenue it would be good to include additional street-trees along Warren Avenue as space allows and / or add trees to the space along the right property line.  This would be between the front building plane and street.  These trees may be shade or evergreen trees.
 
b)  Create a small landscape planting along the front building expansion.  This could be similar to 'foundation' planting along the building using hardy shrubs.  The planting may be protected by 'Cape-Cod' style bituminous, concrete or granite curbing as desired by the project or wooden guardrail.    This small planting adds relief to the large paved area and building.
 
Note -  Parking lot / Tree requirements, after reviewing the site in the field, the number of trees needed did not seem to fit our current 'one tree per five space' standards, as much of the pavement appears to be used for queuing vehicles and access in and out.   My tree to space recommendation would include additional street-trees along Warren Avenue as space allows and trees in the space to the right of the new addition.  The commercial nature of the project does not seem to warrant creating islands that would be in the way of the larger vehicle traffic.
 
Jeff Tarling
City Arborist