02-18-10 Special Called Meeting and Public Hearings of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

Browse Search

Planning & Zoning Commission March 24,2010 Page 2 of2 Sue:e:ested Requirements: Minimum landscaping requirement of 6% is amended to provide landscaping along the front property line and along the side property lines in a minimum of four feet wide planting strip with a combination of trees and shrubs. Minimum 2" caliper shade tree at 40' on center or ornamental tree at 20' on center and minimum 5 gallons shrub in between trees at 3' on center are suggested. In addition, the City's recommended trees, plants list, and specification shall apply for minimum landscaping standards in La Porte. For tree preservation, the current provision ofthe City's control area within 15 feet of any street right-of-way line or easement abutting the required front yard and within 10 feet if abutting the required side yard will be amended with an overall developed site area. In addition, a person desirous of developing the property shall obtain a clearing permit from the City. The intent is to encourage the preservation of existing large trees on the development tract as a whole. The enforcement officer shall determine the type and number of replacement trees in order to allow clearing of buildable areas only. However, current provisions in the Code of Ordinances have no requirements for tree fund in case there is no room for the trees to be planted at the developed site. Hence, a provision for the tree fund is introduced. ConclusionslRecommendations: At the December 17, 2009 and February 18, 2010, Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, staff gave a presentation, which provided information on the existing and proposed requirements for landscaping, tree preservation, tree replacement, and tree fund provisions of the ordinances. Draft ordinance is hereby submitted for review. It is staff's opinion that the above measures will protect urban environment of the City from unreasonable harming of tree/plants during development and predevelopment activities. Staff recommends above mentioned amendments to the landscaping provisions and other beautification measures within the City. Actions available to the Commission are as follows: . Recommend to Council, approval of the above amendments pertaining to the landscaping provisions of the ordinance. . Recommend to Council, approval of a revised version of the above stated. . Recommend to Council, denial of the proposed amendments. . Table this item for further consideration by the Commission.