1 Presented to the City Council By the Planning and Development Department November 11, 2008 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE

2 PURPOSE Provide a briefing on proposed amendments to the Urban Forestry section of the Landscaping Ordinance. Highlight potential future amendments related to water conservation and storm water quality. Request authorization to initiate an appropriate Zoning Ordinance text amendment.

3 Remove 21-day rule; applications will continue to be posted on the website for public information. Require that subdivisions developed in phases will comply with overall canopy requirements. Refer to Gas Well ordinance for tree requirements. Propose 5 year time limit on permits and 2 year time limit on Phase I submittals. Reduce diameter for definition of significant trees (30 to 25”) and Post Oaks (20 to 15”) by five inches. Create criteria for administrative approval of minor plan changes. Transfer duties from Urban Forestry Board to Urban Design Commission and add Forestry experience to member preferences. Recommended Amendments to Urban Forestry Section

4 Why is staff proposing amendments to the fee schedule? 1.Due to the current per-acre fee system, large acreage submittals are being charged disproportionately. –Staff time, including meetings with the applicant, application processing, reporting, and site visits, varies little with the size of the project. –Most cases (76%) are 5 acres or less in size, and $45/acre does not reflect required staff time. 2.Applicants may make an unlimited number of revisions; staff has had to review up to 13.

5 Proposed Fee Schedule CurrentProposed Base Fee$ per acre Includes unlimited revisions $ for first 5 acres Includes one revision Fee per additional acre over 5 acres NA$ Fee per additional revision over one NA$ Appeal hearing$

6 Briefings September 19Several Members of the original Tree Preservation Citizen Advisory Committee October 8Zoning Commission October 20 andDevelopment Advisory Committee November 17

7 Encouragement of water conservation through the use of native and adapted plant material. Encouragement of the use of landscaping to improve storm water quality. What other amendments to the Landscaping Ordinance are under consideration?

8 Next Steps Urban Forestry Text Amendment December 10 Zoning Commission public hearing and recommendation December 16 City Council public hearing and decision on Zoning Ordinance text amendment Water Conservation and Storm Water Quality Research Best Practices Report back to City Council when complete.

9 Questions? Comments?

10 Tree Preservation Citizen Advisory Committee John Belknap, League of Neighborhoods Judy Harman, Garden Club Lee Nicol, Developers/Home Builders Mel Harris, Real Estate Margaret DeMoss, Scenic Fort Worth Carlos De La Torre, Utilities Brandy O’Quinn, Zoning Commission Becky Haskin, City Council Clyde Picht, City Council

11 Definition of Xeriscaping Xeriscaping An environmentally friendly form of landscaping that uses a variety of indigenous and drought tolerant plants, shrubs and ground cover to conserve water and reduce maintenance. Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance Not Xeriscaping

12 Xeriscaping Examples Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance

13 Wildflowers Xeriscaping would include wildflowers that: Do not exceed an average height of 18 inches and, Where the majority of the area is occupied by flowers with minimal intermingling of weeds and grass. Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance

14 Methods of conserving natural features for Storm Water Quality to increase filtration, increase absorption, and slow storm water runoff: Preserve undisturbed vegetation and natural areas; Preserve creekside natural buffers; Avoid steep slopes; Minimize development on pervious soils; Landscaped islands/medians; Storm Water Quality Source: City of Fort Worth Storm Water Manual

15 ─Allow landscaping to be densely installed ─Allow/require certain types of plants that filter well ─Encourage bioretention areas: Ideal treatment area would include grass filter, sand bed, ponding area, organic/mulch layer, planting soil and vegetation ─Encourage reverse crowning of landscape islands/street medians with slotted curbs ─Promote landscaped filter strips ─Encourage applicant’s consideration of site specific detention ponds Actions for Storm Water Quality Source: City of Fort Worth Storm Water Manual

16 Landscape Ordinance -SLIDE HIDDEN- Possible Amendments to Encourage Xeriscaping: Define xeriscaping Include plants typical for xeriscaping on the preferred plant list Not require the installation of an irrigation system if fully xeriscaped Possible Amendments to Encourage Storm Water Quality design

17 Xeriscaping Not Xeriscaping Development Standards:  No noxious vegetation.  Does not allow Johnson, Bermuda, Saint Augustine or other turf grasses to exceed 12”.  Residential Set-back requirements – Grass taller than 12”: -Front Yard (landscaped area) 10 foot right of way setback. 50% maximum coverage –Side and Rear Yards 5 foot setback from property lines.  Clearly defined border.  Does not create a fire hazard or other nuisance. Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance -SLIDE HIDDEN-

18 Xeriscaping Grass Examples Lindheimer’s Muhly Mexican Feathergrass Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ Miscanthus ‘Adagio’ Pennisetum ‘Little Bunny’ Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance -SLIDE HIDDEN-

19 Xeriscaping Examples Source: City of Fort Worth Code Compliance -SLIDE HIDDEN-

20 Plant Selection for Storm Water Quality Refer to Appendix F of the Storm Water Management Design Manual, July 2006 Provides Lists for recommended plants, including: - Bioretention Areas: Lists trees, shrubs, and grasses - Enhanced Swales, Grass Channels, and Filter Strips: Includes bermuda grass, bluestem, and wildrye Amend Landscape Ordinance for Storm Water Quality, con’t -SLIDE HIDDEN- Source: City of Fort Worth Storm Water Manual