SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve amendments to the Community Development Code to establish standards for artificial turf, require landscaped areas in front yards for residentially zoned properties, and make other associated updates and pass Ordinance 9805-25 on first reading. (TA2024-07002)
Body
SUMMARY:
Proposed Ordinance No. 9805-25 contains both City Council and staff-initiated amendments to the Community Development Code. Amendments initiated by City Council propose to create regulations to permit the use of artificial turf citywide including general, location, and minimum design standards, permitting, installation, inspection, maintenance, and existing artificial turf.
Other staff-initiated amendments are more clean-up amendments consisting of correcting typographical errors, reordering sections, providing clarification, adding a provision for existing developed lots, creating a front yard residential landscaped area requirement, and adding, deleting, or amending definitions as needed.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed text amendments to the Community Development Code are consistent with and further the goals, objectives, and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and the Community Development Code.
Staff held a workshop with the Community Development Board (CDB) on December 17, 2024, to discuss the code amendments related to artificial turf. Comments received from the board during that meeting were incorporated into the ordinance prior to the initiation of the public hearing process.
The Community Development Board, in its capacity as the Local Planning Agency (LPA), reviewed the proposed amendments to the Community Development Code at its meeting on January 21, 2025, and recommended approval with certain modifications and considerations as follows:
1. Clarify that the requirement to bring existing lots into compliance with the landscaping standards to the greatest extent practicable if the existing use is improved or remodeled in a value of 25 percent or more, as established by Section 3-1202.A.3.a, is applicable to properties other than single-family or two-family lots.
2. Consider modifying proposed Sections 3-1202.E.2.a.6.v and 3-1202.E.2.b.3.iv to permit the use of artificial turf in required interior and central landscape islands.
3. Consider incorporating licensure requirements into proposed Section 3-1203.E.12 to provide clarity regarding who would qualify as a “professional with experience in installation of artificial turf”.
Additionally, while not incorporated into the Board’s motion for approval, the Board discussed the desire to allow for independent appraisal to be used for the determination of 25 percent of the value of the principal structure, in addition to the value reflected in the property appraiser’s records, as established in Section 3-1202.A.3.a.
Proposed Ordinance No. 9805-25 addresses the Board’s recommended clarification detailed in number 1. above. Additionally, staff has incorporated, for the City Council’s consideration, changes to Sections 3-1202.A.3.a. and 3-1401.B.3.a to provide that an independent appraisal may also be used to determine 25 percent of the value of the primary structure which, if exceeded, would require improvements to landscaping and parking. The considerations specified in 2. and 3., are not recommended by city staff to be incorporated into the ordinance for reasons specified in the staff report.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
These proposed amendments support the Environmental Stewardship and Community Well-Being goals of the city’s Strategic Plan by providing amendments to the Community Development Code that aim to maintain aesthetic appeal and permit alternative sustainable practices within the city.
