HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 24, 1994 ITEM #: 37e
DATE: 05/24/94
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT:
Motion to Direct City Staff to Prepare Ordinance Amendments to Chapter 29, Zoning,
of the Municipal Code to Adopt Screening and Buffering Requirements in the H-M
(Hospital-Medical) Zoning District.
ACTION FORM SUMMARY: The Planning and Zoning Commission proposes the
adoption of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that would establish
screening and buffering requirements in the H-M district.
City staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to prepare
ordinances to adopt the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations.
BACKGROUND:
The Planning and Zoning Commission has studied the landscaping requirements for
off-street parking, as described by the Zoning Ordinance, and has considered several
staff proposals for landscaping requirements that would establish screening and
buffering along the exterior boundary of the H-M district. The Commission's
recommendations for screening and buffering requirements were then presented to the
City Council on October 26, 1993.
At this time, City staff requests that the City Council decide if they wish to proceed
with requirements for screening and buffering. If Council decides to proceed, City staff
should be directed to prepare ordinance amendments for consideration by City
Council.
ANALYSIS:
Land Use Policy Plan. The H-M (Hospital-Medical) Policy adopted by City Council
on April 14, 1992, addresses the need for screening and buffering requirements.
Specifically, the H-M Policy states that implementation should include:
Establishment of standards for landscape buffers and screening to provide
transition between H-M facilities and adjacent residential areas.
Proposed Screening and Buffering Requirements.
Zoning Districts Separated by a Street:
Where zoning districts are separated by a street, a 15-foot wide minimum buffer
will be required with four (4) units of plant material required per 50 linear feet.
One unit of plant material is equal to:
1 deciduous overstory tree,
2 deciduous understory trees,
2 evergreen trees, or
5 evergreen or deciduous shrubs.
For this buffer, a combination of deciduous overstory trees, deciduous understory
trees, and deciduous shrubs, along with evergreen trees and shrubs, would be
required where they do not restrict sight distance. A wood, brick or stone wall
would be allowed in this space also, but again, only where sight distance is not
restricted, and this fence or wall would be in addition to the required four (4)
units per 50 linear feet of plant material.
In cases where the H-M district boundary follows a street right-of-way, a
landscaped buffer is required only between the parking lot and the street right-of-
way. Landscaping between the building and the property line is not required by
the screening and buffering regulations.
Zoninq Districts Separated by Lot Lines:
An eight (8) foot minimum width buffer with a fence is proposed with a minimum
four (4) units of plant material per 50 linear feet. One unit is equal to:
1 overstory deciduous tree,
2 understory deciduous trees,
2 evergreen trees, or
5 evergreen or deciduous shrubs.
This requires that evergreen trees and deciduous understory trees be placed in
the buffer; deciduous overstory trees should be included unless they cannot be
planted due to overhead utilities. Evergreen and deciduous shrubs are
encouraged, but not required. A five (5) foot high wooden, stone or brick fence
or wall, finished on both sides is required adjacent to the property line.
In cases where the H-M district boundary follows a property line between
adjacent lots, a landscaped buffer is required only between the property line and
the parking lot.
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STAFF COMMENTS:
As described above, the screening and buffering requirements would vary depending
on whether the H-M district boundary follows a street line, or follows a property line
between adjacent lots.
The buffer width varies for the two types of buffers. A minimum buffer width of 15 feet
is required along a street line boundary and a minimum buffer width along a lot line
boundary.
Limiting the buffer width to eight (8) feet along lot lines allows additional building area
for the medical providers if the buffer is located along a side yard lot line.
A fence, or wall, is required along each lot line boundary, but is optional if the H-M
boundary is a street line. The fence element provides an immediate and opaque
screen of the parking lot. The plant materials provide a green buffer above the fence,
and on the H-M side of the fence.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended ordinance amendments to
Chapter 29, Zoning, of the Municipal Code to adopt the screening and buffering
requirements in the H-M (Hospital-Medical) zoning district.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can direct City staff to prepare ordinance amendments to
Chapter 29, Zoning, of the Municipal Code to adopt screening and buffering
requirements in the H-M (Hospital-Medical) zoning district as recommended by
the Planning and Zoning Commission.
2. The City Council can choose not to take action on the Planning and Zoning
Commission recommendations to adopt screening and buffering requirements in
the H-M (Hospital-Medical) zoning district.
3. The City Council can modify the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommendation to direct City staff to prepare ordinance amendments to adopt
screening and buffering rquirements in the H-M (Hospital-Medical) zoning district.
4. The City Council can refer this item back to City staff and/or the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
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MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative
#1. This action will direct City staff to prepare ordinance amendments to Chapter 29,
Zoning, of the Municipal Code to adopt screening and buffering requirements in the H-
M (Hospital-Medical) zoning district.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Attachment
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