HomeMy WebLinkAbout676-OB
DATE: February 28,
2005
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Request for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, Section
30-31, Landscaping and Screening Requirements
FILE: 676-OB
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends approval of this request.
Entergy has contacted the City and expressed concern over the placing
of trees under utility lines as part of the landscaping requirement for
parking lots. The cost of having to trim trees when they interfere
with utility lines and the appearance of the trees when they have to
be topped are of great concern to Entergy and the other utility
companies.
Sec. 30-31 (h) 2 f of the Zoning Ordinance states that when
overhead lines are present along the perimeter landscape edge, Class B
trees will be required. Class B trees are defined by the Ordinance as
those that are less than 30' tall when mature. Very often, lines may
be as low as 18 2' above the ground. It is being discovered that some
varieties of Class B trees are frequently exceeding the 30' height and
interfering with the overhead lines. There is also the spread of the
trees that must be contended with. In addition, while there are
varieties of trees that mature at 15' or less in height, there is the
enforcement problem of how to ensure that those specific varieties are
actually planted.
Therefore, staff is recommending that Sec. 30-31 (h) 2 f be amended
to read as follows:
f. If overhead lines are present along the perimeter landscape
edge, no trees will be required in that perimeter landscape
edge.
NOTE: Shrubs will still be required along the perimeter
landscape edge.