Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by the City of McKinney for Approval of an Amendment to the Code of Ordinances, Appendix A of Chapter 146 - Zoning Regulations by Adding Xeriscape Plants to the Approved Landscape Plant List
Summary
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2012
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Emily Braht, RLA, Landscape Architect / Arborist
APPROVAL PROCESS: The recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be forwarded to the City Council for action at the April 17, 2012 meeting.
RECOMMENDED PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ACTION:
· Approval of the Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This Ordinance amends Appendix A of Chapter 146 of the City of McKinney Code of Ordinances Zoning Regulations by adding Xeriscape plants to the approved landscape plant list.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· A Council work session was held on February 24, 2012 to discuss the median landscaping ordinance.
· The focus of the discussion was an amendment that would encourage a variety of plant materials in the medians of arterial roadways.
· During the work session Council directed staff to review the current list of approved plant materials and develop a recommendation to add appropriate Xeriscape plants to the list.
· Because of recurring drought conditions, the use of Xeriscape plants in our region is desirable. These plants require less water, resulting in a long-term benefit from the reduction in the amount of water used for irrigation.
· Council also asked staff to research a possible incentive for the use of the recommended Xeriscape plants.
· The lower demand for irrigation water is an inherent benefit resulting from the use of Xeriscape plants; therefore, Staff suggests educating developers and citizens as to the advantage of Xeriscape plants
· The use of these plants will then be monitored. In the event the plants are underutilized an appropriate incentive will be developed and forwarded to th...
Click here for full text