Title
Discussion and feedback regarding draft landscape amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
Body
REQUESTOR:
City Council
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch is committed to creating attractive, unique, and connected public spaces that encourage community interaction, enhance quality of life, and contribute to a strong sense of place. As part of this ongoing effort, the City Council identified an opportunity within the City's Landscape Code to further enhance these efforts and explore opportunities to strengthen the design, functionality, and character of community spaces throughout the City.
As part of this enhancement, the City’s existing Landscape Code, located in Chapter 94, Article 4, Site Development Standards, Section 4.1, Landscaping, has been reviewed for possible amendments. A draft ordinance was completed in January 2023 and has since been reviewed by the Sustainability Committee, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council through January 23, 2024. Throughout these reviews, staff received direction to revise several sections, including adding flexibility to residential standards, incorporating irrigation plan requirements, and clarifying installation, maintenance, and Certificate of Occupancy provisions.
DISCUSSION:
The rewrite of the landscape regulations within the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) is supported by the City’s strategic initiatives, which call for a review of the landscape standards, the Farmers Branch 2045 Plan, and the City’s Sustainability Plan. The purpose of these revisions is to ensure the regulations reflect adopted City policies and support their implementation. The proposed updates also align the City’s landscape standards with current regional practices in the DFW metroplex while maintaining an appropriate balance tailored to Farmers Branch.
This study session is intended to provide the City Council with an overview of the draft landscape regulation amendments and to receive feedback prior to returning the draft for formal consideration and initiating the public hearing process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
DISTRICT:
Citywide
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
N/A
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Information Memorandum
2. Proposed Landscaping Ordinance Draft
3. Existing Landscaping Code Section 4.1
4. Presentation