Historic Zoning Commission

Market Square H-1: Level II

4-E-12-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Replacement/repair

The proposal is for perimeter landscape "fencing," fabricated from steel and powder-coated in black, to be installed around the perimeter of the eight (8) tree wells in Market Square. The majority of these trees were installed when the square was most recently renovated during the 2000s. The plan called for maple trees of significant caliper which have experienced very challenging conditions since the initial planting. Three of the trees have died and have had to be removed and replaced. One of the major contributing factors to the decline of the Market Square maples has been soil compaction from large crowds as they walked over the tree wells while attending events. Therefore, the city proposes to install fencing, approximately two (2) feet high, around the perimeter of the wells and install low growing azaleas and liriope around the base of the trees to discourage future soil compaction. The additional benefit of these plantings is that they will provide color both in the spring from azaleas blooms and in the winter from the foliage.

Site Info

Urban square with 8 tree wells with turn-of-the-century commercial architecture.

The Market Square guidelines are largely silent on the design and furnishings of the public plaza space; however, the City has attempted to complement the existing site furnishings (benches, light poles, trash cans, which are all black in color) with the surrounding architecture of the Square. However, it is staff's opinion that the heavy black metalwork design should be made to appear lighter in scale with a smaller profile.