Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider making a recommendation to amend Article 4.1, Landscaping, of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to update the City’s landscape regulations and align them with adopted City policy.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The proposed amendments to Article 4.1, Landscaping, of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance are intended to align the City’s landscape regulations with adopted policy documents, including the Farmers Branch 2045 Plan and the City’s Sustainability Plan. The revisions strengthen landscape standards to better reflect regional best practices, improve clarity, and support long-term goals related to landscape reviews, environmental resilience, and community aesthetics. The updates were informed by City Council feedback provided during the July 21, 2026 Study Session, resulting in improvements to minimum tree requirements, replacement standards, and language clarifications.
DISCUSSION:
Key changes in the proposed ordinance include updated residential and non-residential landscaping requirements, expanded buffering standards, revised parking lot landscaping and screening provisions, and new options for sustainable design enhancements. The ordinance establishes clearer objectives, introduces updated definitions, expands the recommended plant list, and incorporates flexibility tools such as artificial lot line delineation and site-coverage reductions for enhanced sustainable design. Collectively, these updates bring Farmers Branch’s standards in line with regional practices, improve stormwater management and tree canopy coverage, and enhance the overall quality and visual character of development throughout the city.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ACTIONS:
1. I move to recommend approval of amendments to Article 4.1, Landscaping, of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
2. I move to recommend approval of amendments to Article 4.1, Landscaping, of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
4. I move to recommend denial of amendments to Article 4.1, Landscaping, of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Ordinance
2. Staff Report
3. Presentation