Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on an Amendment to Chapter 146-135 (Landscape Requirements) and Chapter 146-136 (Tree Preservation) of the Code of Ordinances
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: October 25, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Engineering
CONTACT: Emily Braht, RLA, Landscape Architect
APPROVAL PROCESS: The recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be forwarded to the City Council for final action at the November 15, 2016 meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to Section 146-135 (Landscape Requirements) and Section 146-136 (Tree Preservation) of the Zoning Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY: Staff is proposing the attached amendments to the Landscape Requirements and Tree Preservation sections to address concerns related to the following:
* Relating the number of trees required for a single family lot to the lot size;
* Concerns regarding the 15' tree preservation zone requirements with respect to the type of trees on the developing property to be saved;
* Mitigation tree placement with respect to which type of trees may be used for mitigation purposes; and
* Future preservation of mitigation trees during development by adding a preservation easement.
Required Trees Per Lot:
The proposed amendments represent Staff's effort to modify regulations to be more reflective of smaller single family lot size and landscape best practices within the Landscape Requirements. The current requirement of two trees per lot no matter the size of the lot does not reflect landscape best practices. Lots less than 40 feet wide have a variety of issues when two trees are required. Trees are either being planted too close to each other for proper growth, to close to home foundations, or could potentially be the cause of street sight line problems.
* The current Landscape requirements state that "for all single family and duplex parcels, builders shall be required to plant ...
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