Consider Draft Landscaping Ordinance Amendment

The purpose of this case is to 'check in' with the EPB on the draft Ordinance Amendment for landscaping standards in the Employment Districts.  As a result of the Comprehensive Plan Update, there will be a number of City Code amendments in the coming year and as part of that, Staff is looking at overhauling much of the Zoning Code.  As can be seen from the attached draft Ordinance, more than just the Employment Districts are being addressed.  A new section entitled Landscaping is being proposed and all landscaping standards are being removed from individual zoning districts and moved here.  There is a lot of repetition between many of the districts and this will help reduce the overall size of the Zoning Chapter.

Much of what is included in the draft Ordinance is simply carried over from the existing zoning district language.  However, there are some proposed revisions as well.  The landscaping requirements of the Employment Districts are now based on the Canopy Cover Formula, similar to that of the multi-family districts.  Bufferyard standards in the R-2 Residential and R-3 Residential districts have been eliminated as they are less restrictive than the Density Transitioning standards, which are also applied when higher density developments are proposed against lower density neighborhoods (City Code states that when two different standards are applicable, the more stringent standard shall be applied).  Finally, bufferyard standards were added to certain districts that previously didn't have any (B-3 Neighborhood Business).

By shifting all landscaping requirements to a single section, Intent, Goals and Objectives could be created and would not need to be repeated throughout the Zoning Code.  This portion of the draft Ordinance is one that Staff would greatly appreciate input and feedback on from the Environmental Policy Board (EPB). 

Staff acknowledges that additional work is still needed to address topics previously discussed by the EPB.  This includes standards to ensure a good mix of species (e.g. the 30-20-10 approach previously discussed), more explicit language to encourage native landscapes where appropriate, and to potentially devise credit, in the form of reduced number of trees required, for establishing certain square footages of native landscaping.  Nonetheless, Staff wanted to provide the EPB an opportunity to review the draft Ordinance and provide feedback, if any, to Staff before it is finalized.

This case is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Provide feedback on the draft Ordinance.