HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action form dated November 14, 2006 e,
ITEM # 66
DATE 11/14/06
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT RELATED TO
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR SURFACE PARKING LOTS
BACKGROUND:
On October 10, 2006, in order to promote flexibility and innovation in master planned
projects, the City Council proposed allowing an exception to the "Landscaping
Requirements for Surface Parking Lots" when the City Council has determined that a
proposed site plan accomplishes the following purposes of this landscaping as
described in section 29.403(4)(a) of the Municipal Code:
• reduce the effects of wind and air turbulence, heat and noise, and the glare of
automobile lights;
• preserve ground water strata;
• act as a natural drainage system and ameliorate storm water drainage problems;
• reduce the level of carbon dioxide and return oxygen to the atmosphere;
• prevent soil erosion;
• conserve and stabilize property values;
• facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community;
• to relieve the blight of the appearance of surface parking lots;
• generally preserve a healthful and pleasant environment.
The attached Zoning Ordinance text amendment makes this exception available under
the following two procedures when City Council reviews site plans:
• Master Plans, which are required in residential developments in the Suburban
Residential ("F-S") zoning district and in the regional scale commercial development
in the Northeast Gateway Overlay ("O-GNE") zoning district. The City Council will
be considering a master plan for the commercial development in the East 13th Street
"O-GNE" zoning district in the next two months.
• Major Site Development Plans, which are required for residential developments in
the Village Residential ("F-VR") zoning district and in the Planned Residential
("F-PRD") zoning district, for some uses in the Suburban Residential ("F-S") zoning
district, and in the regional scale commercial development in the Northeast Gateway
Overlay ("O-GNE") zoning district.
Recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission. With a vote of 7-0, the
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendment
to the Zoning Ordinance related to landscaping requirements for parking lots at its
meeting of October 18, 2006. The Commission pointed to this as a good example of
pro-active planning.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the zoning text amendment providing for exceptions to
Landscaping Requirements for Surface Parking Lots when the City Council has
determined that a proposed site plan accomplishes the purposes of this landscaping
as described in Section 29.403(4)(a) of the Municipal Code.
2. The City Council can make modifications to the proposed text amendment and call
for another public hearing.
3. The City Council can leave Section 29.403 of the Municipal Code as it currently
exists and not provide an exception to the Landscaping Requirements for Surface
Parking Lots.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed text amendment will allow more flexibility and help "encourage innovative
and attractive community development," one of the City Council's goals for the
community. This flexibility might also better address the qualitative requirements of the
City's federal storm water permit.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that Alternative #1 be
approved, adopting the attached zoning text amendment providing for
Council-approved exceptions to the Landscaping Requirements for Surface
Parking Lots when the Council determines that a proposed site plan
accomplishes the landscaping purposes described above.
S:\Council Boards Commissions\CC\Text Amendments\Landscaping and Screening-Text Amendment- 11-14-06.doc
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