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that space is fiber optics. Baker said the island could be changed to evergreens, which would mask the pole from the street. Conlin responded there is not enough space for an evergreen. The area is about 2 feet wide. Teague stated that the reason for the five to six-foot tree was to address the issue of providing a better screen for the fence. Baker said the plan showed that the island is separate and a driveway is next to the building. Conlin stated that there is a sidewalk in front of the building. There is a doorway about half the way to the south, which is the front doorway. Schiferl suggested some changes and pointed them out on the plan. Conlin responded the gas line would still be an issue. Baker said the easement for the gas line is huge; a gas line is only 1 inch in diameter. Conlin responded Minnegasco requires a foot and a half on either side of the line. Baker said that did not mean the easement cannot be planted. It only means the gas company can tear up the planting to service the gas line. The chances of that are remote. If two more Juniper Trees were planted in that area, the plan would be something with which the Commission could live. Schopf asked, when vehicles are parked there, how much of the lower landscape will be seen. Schiferl said that in the evening and in the summer it will look a little better. Zisla asked about the plan US West originally submitted. Conlin responded that plan was only an example to be superimposed on the site and then modified. For example, the trees are so close to the building that they had no room to grow. Larson stated there is room for one more juniper. Tearing up the sidewalk on the corner would make room for another tree to screen from the street. Conlin said that, from a point directly across the street from the ingress and egress, there are a good number of mature trees screening the site. Schiferl said that statement was untrue. Larson stated his concern was the view from Cleveland Avenue or from the homes across the street. Larson stated more junipers will help screen the fence. Conlin said she agreed that would work well. Baker said that originally the landscaping was supposed to be closer to the equipment building. Now the fence would be farther from the equipment building. However, the fence could be moved farther west on the east side of the equipment building, which would result in another four feet in which to put landscaping. A double row of landscaping could go in that area. Schiferl showed the location where a Black Hills Spruce could be planted on the plan. There are many variations that would improve the proposed landscape plan. Baker said he was disappointed that the City Forester has been on the site a number of times, but he has not come up with a plan the Commission can send to the Council. Baker asked if a revised plan could be available for the City Council meeting. Baker suggested the Commission recommend approval contingent upon having additional landscaping to the east of the equipment building, even if that means moving the fence farther west. Also, one parking space can be used for a double row of shrubs. Teague stated the Planning Commission could add specific conditions such as planting a Black Hills Spruce, moving the chain link fence closer to the posts, and adding an additional row of Junipers, and adding one Juniper to the originally proposed row of Junipers. The wood fence then could go closer to the equipment building. Conlin asked if the Commission wanted US West to take out the bollards. Baker said the bollards should stay. Conlin asked Baker to clarify the Commission’s requirements. Baker said there would be approximately eleven or twelve feet from the edge of the fence to the next parking stall. That should allow for two staggered rows of shrubs (Juniper Trees). Conlin responded the landscaping has to stay outside the bollards to access the equipment. I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1998\10-20-98.WPD 5