A business setting up space on International Place in St. John’s, not far from the airport, will have a vehicle storage lot with new security fencing.
Because the fencing lands near a popular walking trail, the city council is asking the owner for camouflage.
As noted in the application to the city from WLH Holdings Ltd., the property at 18 International Place is planning to have a vehicle storage yard for up to 200 vehicles for a rental car company. The five-acre site would be enclosed with an over eight-foot protective fence.
Coun. Maggie Burton spoke in support of the developer being required to cover-in the proposed wire fence, given it will go up alongside the Virginia River Trail, “so that when you’re walking along the Virginia River, you don’t look at a stack of cars,” she said.
Coun. Ian Froude said, in addition to material over the wire fencing, there should be a demand made for “foliage.”
Multiple comments were made by other councilors in support of requiring “foliage,” with none against.
“Even if it takes a little bit of time for it to grow in to a certain height, I don’t think it would be that great an expense for the proponent to undertake that,” Coun. Sandy Hickman said.
The nearby walking trail is part of the Grand Concourse network of city trails. There is a natural buffer for the trail system, reaching onto the property in question, that’s associated with the river’s 100-year flood zone.
The proposed storage yard would be back from the edge of the property and respects the buffer zone, but would still be visible from the trail as proposed.
Coun. Dave Lane sought to clarify the idea of the visibility from the walking trail, and what portion of the fencing would be expected to have plants around it, to meet the desire to obscure the commercial site.
The council approved a previously advertised, proposed amendment to the city development regulations, to see “vehicle storage yard” added as a discretionary use in Commercial Industrial Zone properties.
Having a “condition of approval” for the property in question, relating to visibility and specifically requiring plants in addition to screening, was said to align with requirements introduced on other discretionary use applications.
“We do need a closed fence and we do need foliage across, along the back there,” said Coun. Deanne Stapleton. “I mean, there’s nothing worse than walking on a beautiful trail and looking in to see a pile of cars parked. So I would like to see a closed in fence and green wrap (screen).”
Twitter: @TeleFitz
