HomeMy WebLinkAboutA024 - Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment for Landscaping Rock Mulch within Required Landscape AreasITEM #:25
DATE:12-09-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR LANDSCAPING ROCK MULCH WITHIN
PLANTER AREAS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Representatives of the Iowa State University Research Park (ISURP) recently contacted City
Council with a request to consider a text amendment to allow the use of rock mulch where the
City standards require organic mulch material. The request is in response to a site condition
where rock was inappropriately used for some of the front yard landscaping areas. Other
areas of the site, such as the parking lot, are in compliance with the City landscaping
requirements for use of organic mulch.
City Council considered the request, authorizing a Zoning Text Amendment application
from the ISURP for changes to the landscaping standards regarding decorative rock for
use as landscape area mulch, which would then apply citywide on October 14.
The City’s landscape standards were comprehensively rewritten and approved by the City
Council in 2017. The City’s landscape standards focus on use of vegetation as ground cover
with specific minimum plantings for front yard landscaping and parking lot landscaping. With
adoption of the new standards, one of the questions discussed at that time was whether to
continue with the living ground cover and use of organic mulch in required planters compared
to a development community request to have an option to utilize rock. At that time, staff
described the benefits for plant health with organic material compared to rock and contrasted
the maintenance differences for the owner. Generally, rock is more expensive than organic
mulch and has less annual maintenance.
Staff also asked the City's landscape architect consultant to provide an opinion regarding the
use of mulch compared to rocks. Use of rock versus mulch varied by community and in the
landscape architect's professional opinion, mulch is better, but rock does not necessarily
impede plant vitality. It was emphasized that plant vitality is more dependent on having soil
with high organic content and performing general upkeep, rather than mulch type.
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT:
The City’s general standards are for all areas of a site that are landscaped areas must include
living ground cover or other plants materials. Mulch in planter areas with trees or shrubs is
acceptable as an alternative to living ground cover. The proposed change would allow
inorganic mulch material of decorative landscaping rock in lieu of organic mulch
material.
It is important to emphasize that use of rock as mulch would not serve as a substitute
f o r planted materials used as landscaping. Language has been incorporated to indicate
that areas of rock without plantings are not acceptable to meet the landscaping requirement.
No specification of the rock type is proposed with this change, but the landscape plan must
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indicate what material is proposed for use in a landscape planter. Pictures of rock and organic
mulch planter examples are attached for reference.
The proposed change affects the following section of the City’s General Development
Standards of Article IV of the Chapter 29 Zoning Ordinance (new language is underlined).
29.403 (3) (D) Minimum planting standards.
(7) All required planters, bufferyards, and islands must include living groundcover. Foundation
planters may use inorganic or non-living materials for ground cover. Organic mulch may be
used in lieu of living ground cover beneath or around shrubs and trees.
a. An exception to utilize decorative landscape rock materials, in lieu of organic mulch, may be
approved for areas within required planters immediately around decorative plantings, shrubs
and trees. Details of the landscape rock material type and location shall be specified on the
landscape plan. Decorative plantings may be required within planters along with the use of
decorative landscape rock.
Decorative landscape rock in and of itself does not meet the definition of landscaping,
therefore, it may not be utilized in lieu of landscape plantings and is to be confined to defined
planter areas with shrubs, trees, and decorative plantings.
b. Decorative landscape rock materials are subject to the standards and limitations of other
zoning districts, such as CSC and the University Impact Overlays.
Planning and Zoning Commission:
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed text amendment at its
November 5 meeting. Commissioners discussed the examples of planters with rock materials
compared to mulch. Commissioners expressed concerns about the general health of
plantings, depth and type of rock used for mulch, the appearance of rock planters (specifically
if landscape material died or were not present), and the overall aesthetics of the proposal.
Staff described that code enforcement does not prioritize landscape maintenance and a
refresh of plantings typically does not occur unless a subsequent permit for the site is
reque ste d . The Commission voted 5-1 to recommend denial of the text amendment.
Generally, the Commissioners were concerned about its city-wide application to parking lot
and front yard landscaping and believed the current standard was a better standard.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve on first reading an ordinance amending the allowed landscaping planter mulch
requirements to allow use of decorative rock landscape material as mulch consistent
with the attached draft ordinance.
2. Direct staff to modify the proposed standards and approve the ordinance on first reading.
3. Request additional information from staff and take no action to approve on first reading.
4. Deny the application for a zoning text amendment. (Planning and Zoning Commission
Recommendation)
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The issue of landscape planter materials is a city-wide issue and not unique to any one zoning
district. As such, the request would modify standards city-wide and benefit ISURP as the
applicant. The use of decorative rock versus organic mulch is primarily a balancing of
aesthetics, plant vitality, and cost.
Staff believes that with intentional landscape design focused on the base requirements
of planting and limited use of mulch combined with the organic soil content
requirements, the decorative rock mulch option will likely be a successful alternative
for developments. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council approve Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Rock Mulch Attachment Landscape Examples.pdf
Ordinance-ZTA Minimum Planting Standards-Mulch.PDF
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Landscaping Examples (outside of Ames)
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ORDINANCE NO. _________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
AMENDING SECTION 29.403(3)(D)(7) THEREOF,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF MODIFYING MINIMUM
PLANTING STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPE
MULCH REQUIREMENTS, REPEALING ANY AND
ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFLICT; 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 29.403(3)(D)(7) as follows:
Sec. 29.403. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.
* * *
(3) General Requirements All Sites.
The following standards are required on all residential and non-residential sites.
* * *
(D) Minimum planting standards.
* * *
(7) All required planters, bufferyards, and islands must
include living ground cover. Foundation planters may use inorganic or non-living
materials for ground cover. Organic mulch may be used in lieu of living ground
cover beneath or around shrubs and trees.
(a) An exception to utilize decorative landscape
rock materials, in lieu of organic mulch, may be approved for areas within
required planters immediately around decorative plantings, shrubs and trees.
Details of the landscape rock material type and location shall be specified on the
landscape plan. Decorative plantings may be required within planters along with
the use of decorative landscape rock.
Decorative landscape rock in and of itself does not meet the definition of
landscaping, therefore, it may not be utilized in lieu of landscape plantings and is
to be confined to defined planter areas with shrubs, trees, and decorative
plantings.
(b) Decorative landscape rock materials are subject to
the standards and limitations of other zoning districts, such as CSC and the
University Impact Overlays.
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Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after its passage and publication as required by law.
Passed this day of , .
____________________________________________________________
John A. Haila, Mayor
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Passed on:
I, Renee Hall, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, hereby certify
that the above and foregoing is a true copy of Ordinance No. ______________,
passed by the City Council of said City at the meeting held on
______________________and signed by the Mayor on
___________________________, and published in the Ames Tribune on
___________________________.
________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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