06/12/2013 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Canopy Coverage requirement is intended to mitigate the effects of impervious areas by intercepting rainfall, protecting pavement, reducing the heat island effect and improving aesthetics. These areas include loading drives, parking lots, driveways, drop - offs and other areas covered with a hard surface intended for vehicles. The minimum canopy coverage for all uses is 40 %. As noted, all hard surface areas are included for canopy coverage calculation purposes. However, industrial uses often have sizable loading areas and working yards that 1) substantially increase the Canopy Coverage requirement; and 2) are extremely difficult or impractical to insert landscaping into. Staff is of the opinion that exempting these areas from the calculation requirement should be considered. The draft ordinance eliminates the phrase "loading areas" and exempts permitted outdoor storage areas. Foundation Plantings The foundation planting requirements currently provide for plantings along all four sides of a building. While an allowance is made for loading areas, staff is of the opinion that in all practicality the provisions should only apply to street facing sides of the building and/or general parking areas. This is more of a concern in industrial areas where loading areas may take up more than one side of a building. The proposed changes eliminate the requirements for foundation planting on rear and sides but requires all front and street facing sides to include plantings. Additionally, staff is proposing to allow trees planted within 30 feet of the building to be considered part of the foundation plantings. The purpose of this change is to provide for plantings within landscaped areas lying between the building and parking/hard surface areas. This also provides flexibility in locating landscaping to maximize view sheds. The substitution ratios for smaller plant materials was also changed allow for easier calculations. Residential Lawn Requirements The City requires all residential properties to install landscaping including ornamental grass i.e., sod or seed prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. However, the specific citation was inadvertently deleted when the revised ordinance was adopted. Staff is proposing language be added addressing minimum residential landscaping requirements. Language was added to Section 2, referencing ground cover including seed and sod. Section 17 was added to specifically address ground cover requirements. Staff is proposing requiring sod, at a minimum, for the front 15 feet from curb line for single family homes. All other properties types would be required to sod landscape areas unless meeting the specific exemptions. The board may wish to consider expanding this to 30 Page 2 Landscaping Regulations P & Z Report 6/12/13 •