In a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around the landscape plan for a property along US Highway 377, which has undergone changes since its initial approval in 2023. The approved plan required a 50-foot buffer yard, including specific numbers of canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubs. However, the applicant's current proposal has notably reduced the number of canopy trees from eight to just two, while maintaining the same number of understory trees but decreasing the total shrubs from 53 to 27.

Despite these reductions, the overall landscape coverage has increased from 28% to 32.5%, exceeding the required 10% for the parking area. The proposal also includes a significant increase in sod area, providing 27,255 square feet, which is 141% of the requirement.

Concerns were raised regarding tree mitigation, as the applicant is not proposing any mitigation for three trees that were removed during construction, which were initially intended to be preserved. The removal of these trees has led to a calculated mitigation fee of approximately $54,350, reflecting the loss of protected trees that were part of the original landscape plan.

The meeting highlighted discrepancies between what was approved and what is currently being implemented, with a total of 19 fewer canopy trees, 29 fewer understory trees, and 138 fewer shrubs than originally agreed upon. The applicant's request for changes has sparked debate among council members, emphasizing the importance of adhering to environmental standards and community expectations.

In response to these concerns, additional landscaping has been observed on-site, with new shrubs and understory trees planted as of early October. The council is expected to deliberate further on the implications of these changes and the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the town's landscape requirements.