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0 <br />Retail developments require a scenic visual impact much different than industrial land <br />uses. which would have more screening requirements. Retail design is more aesthetic, <br />and its visibility serves as a marketing, and economic development enhancement that <br />leads to the overall sustainability of such developments. <br />As we have testified before the Planning Board and the Board of County <br />Commissioners, these areas will be landscaped to create scenic vistas within the open <br />areas that include lower height gromin. bio- retention plant species that still allow <br />visibility and absorption of carbon dioxide. This will allow the visibility that is a <br />required condition of many large destination retailers and service establishments like <br />hotels and anchor tenants. <br />In essence, we are requesting the ability to remove 50 % of the existing thick vegetation <br />and replace with small trees that are more appropriate for stornlwater management as <br />well as drought tolerant. The mljority of this 138 acre parcel has been timbered and <br />contains primarily scrub pine second growth. <br />We do not believe that the Planning Board fully understood our intention of re- <br />veoetating the disturbed area to ensure the viability of the buffer, nor do we believe that <br />our request was inconsistent with the intent of the buffer. As we will be re- planting <br />vegetation in this area, the integrity of the buffer will be maintained while we are <br />allowed to increase the visibility of the project. <br />We believe that this is a potential win for all parties and a requirement of our future <br />tenants. <br />?. CONDITION S — SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES — DEVELOPMENT <br />AND USE OF DRIVE- TI-IRU LANES <br />With respect to Condition Twenty -Six (26), we respectfully request that the County <br />allow us the flexibility of having drive -thru facilities for various land uses, specifically <br />drug stores, banks, and other similar retail developments. These accessory facilities are <br />imperative to attracting these types of tenants /owners and are permitted by right in <br />many situations through out the county. Many commercial retail projects have 4 drive <br />thrus per 20 acres of development. Without such allowances. it will be impossible for <br />this project to attract land users that rely oil a drive -thrU as a convenience item, and for <br />some, an industry standard, for their clientele. These types of users are a must for this <br />type of project to be successful. <br />As a compromise, we would agree to a illaxinlllnl number i per 25 acres within the <br />development. In order to offset the use of drive- thrus, the nlininlunl parking <br />requirements for the establishment utilizing the drive -thru shall be reduced by 10 %, <br />each drive -tllru will increase planting requirements (10 additional small trees per site <br />for non- restaurant establishments and 20 additional small trees for restaurant <br />establishments). and multiple windows and lanes will be utilized where possible. These <br />additional trees will mitigate the air pollution associated Nvith the drive- thrus. While we <br />understand that the County. from an air quality perspective. does not want to have <br />drive -thru facilities. we believe that there is a need for such amenities to offer necessary <br />services to those who may need them. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />