Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2023 03 01

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Parks & Public Landscaping Advisory Board Minutes DATE Page 2 of 7 Areas of Tier One Median Design are: • 88t" Street from Monarch H.S. to Dillon Rd. • McCaslin Blvd. from Via Appia Way to Washington Ave • Via Appia Way from Louisville Recreation Center to Tyler Ave. • Entryways to Enclave Neighborhood and Coal Creek Ranch Carter presented designs for median end caps and planted areas, including plant selections for trees, landscape beds, and native plant areas. Focus is to represent Louisville lifestyle and aesthetics, using water -wise and native plants wherever possible in order to reduce irrigation needs and maintenance. Turf areas are slated to be replaced by low water use native grasses, seed mix details were provided. Carter showed colorful examples of plant selections, which were included in the PPLAB meeting packet. Tree selections, water wise, Abby and Staff made selections, variety and textures, bloom times staggered, nice overlap with what has been done by city so far. Design Concepts is working in tandem with City through responsibility for Enclave and Coal Creek Ranch residential development entryways, historically managed by HOA's Meadows, Joe Carnival, Sunflower, and Enclave parks are slated for design later on, after first quarter 2023 PPLAB Board member discussion: Cynthia asked if trees would need trimming for traffic visibility and safety. Carter replied that median end caps are designed to allow good safety margins for line of sight, and that Louisville traffic and forestry departments have advised Design Concepts on choices to minimize hazards, improve visibility, and to create aesthetic sight and noise barriers along the remainder of the median. This includes the hill on McCaslin viewing to the north. Barb: Are these trees native to area and will trees need large root areas. This has been an issue with other medians in the city. Carter replied that there are not many native trees in Colorado, but Design Concepts has selected well adapted varieties, water wise by design. Carter assured PPLAB that the median design will reduce turf grass footprint, and that nothing will be installed that will cause line of sight issues. Plan is to regenerate, rejuvenate as we go, focusing on sustainable plantings, and planting species that are adaptable to changing climate conditions. Landscape beds will conform to line -of -sight issues, with a robust palette of textures and colors, seasonal interests, low water use, many plants are directly from City plant list. Grasses are mostly native varieties, slightly more fragile in places that receive foot traffic, tend to be pointy species, not great for a park, but OK for medians. The native species will reduce irrigation draw of existing blue grass turf. Conversion from blue grass of 48,000 ft sq, football field size area will have reduced irrigation and maintenance needs. Native grasses will have seasonal color and texture changes, infrequent mowing, 2-3 x year, greens up a little later in the year than blue grass. Outreach to community should focus on reduced water usage and sustainability issues.