Placement: Public Hearing - Non Quasi Judicial
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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P20-050 Text Amendments to the Landscape Code (Chapter 154)
This is a proposed text amendment to change the provisions for exemption or modification to the landscape buffer wall requirement and correct various references to Code sections.
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Submitted By: Patricia A. Tobin, AICP, Long Range Planning Administrator
Executive Summary: Text amendments to the Landscape Code to modify the provisions related to exemptions or modifications and correct references to various sections of the Landscape Code.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Board recommend approval of the amendments to the Chapter 154, Landscape Code.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Board amend the recommendation and recommend approval of the amendments to Chapter 154, Landscape Code.
2. Move that the Board recommend denial of the amendments to Chapter 154, Landscape Code.
Background: This proposed amendment to Chapter 154 is a staff-initiated text amendment. The purpose and intent of this amendment are to provide for minor edits related to sections of the Landscape Code that are incorrect, require a development site to be maintained free of exotic vegetation, and provide for a revised process for landscape modifications.
The Landscape Code does require at the development stage that all exotics be removed. See Section 154.03(L). However, the Landscape Code is silent on requiring a development site be maintained free of exotic vegetation once the development project is past the certificate of occupancy. By adding under Section 154.05 - Installation and maintenance of required landscaping, that a site be kept free of exotic vegetation, staff can address this issue when and if violations to this section are found. This section currently requires a site to be kept free from refuse and debris.
Sections 154.03(C)(5) a & b are the two sections of the Landscape Code that address landscape buffer wall requirements. The Landscape Code in Section 154.12 currently provides for an exemption or modification to the landscape buffer requirement. The current process allows substitution of landscaping for the architectural wall. The process provides for a public hearing with public notice, including an ad in the newspaper and written notice to property owners within 750 feet of the property requesting the exemption or modification. The City Council currently hears these requests for exemption or modification. .
Issues/Analysis: See staff report.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments:
1. Staff Report
2. Staff Presentation
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Elizabeth L. Hertz, Deputy City Attorney and Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency.