Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request by the City of McKinney to Modify Section 146-135 (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Regulations Pertaining to Landscaping at Airports, and Accompanying Ordinance
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic Growth
MEETING DATE: August 3, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT: Michael Quint, Executive Director of Development Services
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance amendments.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The City of McKinney is proposing to modify section 146-135 of the Zoning Ordinance to modify what landscaping is required to be installed with development within the perimeter fence at McKinney National Airport. The proposed modifications to the Zoning Ordinance offers an exemption from the minimum landscaping requirements for airfields which accommodates airplanes and/or helicopters, has a runway of at least 5,000 feet in length, and is publicly owned and used. The goal of this exemption is to minimize opportunities for conflicts between aircrafts and wildlife. By reducing areas of landscaping, wildlife habitats will be reduced/eliminated thereby minimizing conflicts.
• By exempting the airside of public airports from the requirements of section (f) of the Landscape Requirements, the following items will no longer be required within the perimeter fence at McKinney National Airport:
o Minimum 15% of street yard shall feature permanent landscaping;
o Minimum 20’ landscape buffer along major thoroughfares (50’ ROW or more);
o Minimum 10’ landscape buffer along minor thoroughfares (less than 50’ ROW);
o 30’ corner clip landscape buffer required;
o Canopy trees at a ratio of 1:40’ along street frontage;
o Minimum 5’ landscape buffer between vehicular use areas and property lines;
o Canopy trees at the end of every parking row;
o At least 1 tree within 65’ of every parking space;
o Landscape areas within parking lots shall at least be the size of 1 parking space;
o Curbs and gutters required in parking areas;
o 6’ tall evergreen shrubs required around dumpster enclosures; and
o Minimum 50% of the required trees shall be canopy trees.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The City of McKinney recently purchased the fixed assets at McKinney National Airport and it is anticipated that the proposed amendments will help to ensure the successful operation of the airport over the long-term by reducing wildlife habitats and associated conflicts on the airside of the airport.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• None.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• On July 14, 2015 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0-0 to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendments.