HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/16/2013 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 061, 2013, AMENDINGDATE: April 16, 2013
STAFF: Clark Mapes
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 13
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 061, 2013, Amending Section 2.2.10 of the Land Use Code by the Addition of a New
Subparagraph (D) Pertaining to Parkway Landscaping Amendments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance amends the City’s Land Use Code to add a new administrative process for changes to parkway
landscaping in approved development plans. This is a necessary follow-up to new Streetscape Standards adopted
by City Council on February 26, 2013. It involves parkway landscaping in single family housing developments where
approved development plans specify turfgrass in the parkways (the strips of land between street curbs and detached
sidewalks). These residential parkways are part of the City-owned right-of-way, but abutting property owners are
responsible for parkway landscaping. The new process makes it easier for homeowners to request changes to
approved plans.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
A number of neighborhoods have development plans that specify turfgrass in parkways. There have been instances
of individual homeowners wanting to change the landscaping from turfgrass to xeriscape landscaping (mulched
planting beds) to use less water than turfgrass and, perhaps, to reduce maintenance. The new Streetscape Standards
clarify the City’s approach to such requests, and this Land Use Code change creates the new process to be consistent
with the new standards. The recently adopted process, called “Parkway Landscaping Amendment”, fits the scope and
nature of the issue.
Currently, for a homeowner to request a change to approved parkway landscaping, a “Minor Amendment” is required.
The Minor Amendment process has a $350 fee, which does not fit well with the scope of homeowner changes to
parkways. The current Minor Amendment process accommodates a larger scale and scope of land use change
requests.
Staff proposes to administer the new process with no fee, based on feedback from City Council and the Planning and
Zoning Board. The process consists of administrative review of requests for consistency with applicable standards,
and filing plan changes.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
There are no direct or measurable financial impacts related to the Land Use Code change.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The change helps facilitate home owner requests to change from turfgrass to landscaping that uses less water.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
April 16, 2013 -2- ITEM 13
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the Land Use Code change as part of its consent agenda
on March 18, 2013.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
As a minor follow up item to the recently adopted streetscape standards, involving administrative matters, this item
was prepared by staff with no further public process.
ORDINANCE NO. 061, 2013
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 2.2.10 OF THE LAND USE CODE BY
THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBPARAGRAPH (D)
PERTAINING TO PARKWAY LANDSCAPING AMENDMENTS
WHEREAS, as a part of the Streets and Stormwater Site Development Initiatives, the City
Council has adopted certain amendments to the Streetscapes Standards as contained in the Larimer
County Urban Area Street Standards; and
WHEREAS, a provision in the Streetscapes Standards amendments provides for the ability
of an abutting lot owner to apply for a streetscape amendment regarding the parkway landscaping
adjacent to a lot; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Code presently does not contain a parkway landscaping
amendment process and the Land Use Code should be amended to accommodate such parkway
landscaping changes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the City to
amend the Land Use Code to provide a mechanism for parkway landscaping amendments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Section 2.2.10 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the addition of a new
subparagraph (D) which reads in its entirety as follows:
(D) Parkway Landscaping Amendments. Amendments to parkway landscaping
in any approved development plan may be approved, approved with conditions, or
denied administratively by the Director. No public hearing need be held on an
application for a parkway landscaping amendment. Such amendments may be
authorized by the Director as long as the development plan, as so amended, continues
to comply with the Fort Collins Streetscape Standards, Appendix C, Section 6.1 in
the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. Appeals of the decision of the
Director regarding the approval, approval with conditions or denial of parkway
landscaping amendments of any approved development plan shall be made in
accordance with subsection A(4) of this Section.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 16th day of
April, A.D. 2013, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of May, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 7th day of May, A.D. 2013.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk