HomeMy WebLinkAboutALT25-000004 Pantera Market_ Approval Letter with documents
October 20, 2025
Attn: Julie Benintendi
julieb@brsarchitects.com
RE: Alternative Method Of Compliance Review ALT25-000004 – Pantera Market
Dear Ms. Benintendi,
We have received your request for an alternative method of compliance to request a 50% reduced
street landscape buffer from the required 25 feet along Linden Street and to allow for a portion of
the landscape buffer to be in the ROW. In addition, the request to replace the required 3’ wide
building façade landscaping with planters along the front of the building.
The landscape buffer includes:
• Trees, shrubs and grass as required by code
• Additional shrubs to fill in open areas to provide more dense landscaping within the
reduced buffer
The building perimeter landscaping includes:
• Planter boxes along the front of the building
Staff has reviewed the provided landscape plan and determined that the applicant has provided
adequate width of buffer as well as sufficient trees and shrubs along Linden Street and planter
boxes along the front of the building. This alternative street landscape buffer and planter boxes
along the front of the building as shown on the landscape plan, is approved based on the required
Findings listed in 10-03-16, as follows:
A. Alternative is consistent with the purpose of the applicable article or a specific master plan;
The applicant is providing additional street shrubs and planter boxes along the front of the
building meeting the purpose of the landscape article.
B. Strict adherence or application of the requirements are not feasible;
The required buffer width would encroach in the existing and proposed drive isles; this buffer
proposes to blend with the landscape buffers to the east and west of this parcel that were
installed under a previous zoning ordinance that required a lesser buffer width, but the additional
shrubs will bring the proposed buffer into better compliance with newer code. These changes
allow for a better site design and cross-access connection with the adjacent lots. The site does
not allow for the additional requirement of a building landscape buffer after all other
development is accounted for (i.e. required parking, drive aisles, and sidewalk) and the planter
boxes will fill that requirement nicely.
C. The alternative method of compliance provides an equal or superior means for meeting the
requirements;
The applicant is proposing additional shrubs to the street buffer to be more in compliance with the
current code and provide additional beautification along with the building planters along the front
of the building.
D. The alternative means will not adversely affect a neighboring property or resident and will
not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or impair the intended uses and character of
the surrounding properties;
These changes allow for a better site design and cross-access connection with the adjacent lots
and should not have any adverse effects on any neighboring property or use.
E. Reflects an innovative or unique design that conforms to the requirements of the
applicable article to the greatest extent possible but offers alternatives for addressing the intent
of the standards by maintaining or exceeding the standards; and/or,
Although not innovative or unique, the proposed alternative will better match what is existing
along this corridor and allows for a better site design and cross-access connection with the
adjacent lots.
F. Includes a design required to maintain consistency and compatibility within an existing
development.
The proposed buffer will remain consistent with the surrounding existing development to the east
and west, as this buffer will be the same width as adjacent street buffers and the center of the
buffer meets the required 25’ width.
This approval includes a condition that all plantings meet the size requirements within the code at
time of final Planning and Zoning inspection, prior to Certificate of Occupancy and approved
landscape plan L1.0 v2 dated 10/1/2025 revision.
Therefore, this alternative method of compliance is approved; please let me know if you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
April Cabello
April Cabello Joseph Dodson, AICP
Planner II Principal Planner
City of Caldwell Planning and Zoning