HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated March 24, 2020 i
ITEM: 25
DATE: 03-24-20
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT RELATING TO THE DEPTH OF THE HIGH
SCREEN LANDSCAPE STANDARD.
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the current landscaping standards in 2017. The complete standards
are found in Section 29.403 of the Ames Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance). The current
standards were implemented after two years of community input and review from Planning &
Zoning Commission and City Council.
Recently, staff discovered that the minimum depth of a High Screen planter area is only
implied to be five feet rather than stated as a minimum. Staff has applied the standard for
the past two years as a minimum of five feet and believes it is appropriate to clarify this
expectation in the standards. A minimum of five feet of depth is also consistent with the
prior buffer yard screen requirements.
The current standards require a High Screen when two dissimilar uses abut one another or around
parking areas in residential zones. Five feet is considered to be the minimum width for shrubs
and trees to grow, maintain their health, and achieve the necessary height and width to
provide effective screening, larger trees and landscaping types may require additional
space. The current language in the landscape standards does not ensure that an
appropriate planter width is required in all instances without specifying a minimum.
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT
Section 29.403(F) High Screen Dissimilar Use Transition and Parking Screen.
Generally, The High Screen landscape standard provides physical and visual separation between uses
and improvements.
(i) Required Landscape Elements. High shrubs shall be installed at a maximum distance of 6 feet on
center to form a dense screen with a minimum mature height of 6 feet. In addition, one Landscape
Tree is required per 50 lineal feet of landscaped area. Ground cover plants must fully cover the
remainder of the landscaped area. The high shrubs must be at least 4 feet in height at the time of
installation. The minimum planter depth for a High Screen is 5 feet unless otherwise required
to be greater by this ordinance.
Planning & Zoning Commission Recommendation
At the March 4�-' Planning & Zoning Commission meeting the commission voted 6-0 to recommend
the City Council approve the proposed text amendment.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . The City Council can adopt the proposed text amendments for High Screen landscaping in
Section 29.403(3)(F).
2. The City Council can recommend alternative language for the proposed text amendment for
High Screen landscaping.
CITY MANAGERS RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed zoning text amendments clarify requirements and expectations for the minimum
planter depth of High Screen planters. This language reinforces how staff has always applied the
standard for the appropriate minimum planter depth of High Screen vegetation. Therefore, it is
the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve Alternative #1.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF
THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING SECTION
29.403(3)(F) THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SETTING
THE MINIMUM DEPTH OF THE HIGH SCREEN LANDSCAPE
STANDARD. REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT
OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by amending Section 26.403(3)(F)as follows:
"Sec.29.403. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.
3.General Requirements All Sites.
(F) High Screen Dissimilar Use Transition and Parking Screen.
Genem#y-,tThe high screen landscape standard provides physical and visual separation between uses and
improvements.
(i)Required Landscape Elements. High shrubs shall be installed at a maximum distance
of 6 feet on center to form a dense screen with a minimum mature height of 6 feet. In addition,one
Landscape Tree is required per 50 lineal feet of landscaped area.Ground cover plants must fully cover the
remainder of the landscaped area.The high shrubs must be at least 4 feet in height at the time of
installation.The minimum planter death for a High Screen is 5 feet unless otherwise required to be greater
by this ordinance"
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction
punishable as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this day of 2020.
Diane R. Voss,City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor