Department of Community Development
Reference: Landscape Code Amendments
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of the City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Shannon McDowell, Interim Assistant Director of Community Development
Date Prepared: November 30, 2023
PURPOSE
Consider modifications to the landscape provisions of the Land Use & Development Code (LUDC).
PROCESSES
The Land Use & Development Code outlines the code amendment process, which allows for initiation of amendments by the City Council, Planning Commission, and Staff on behalf of these entities. The changes proposed were discussed with the Planning Commission and the City Council at a joint study session on January 24, 2023.
The City Council should use the Review Criteria outlined in the Land Use & Development Code's Section 2.10 B. The Code Amendment criteria generally include but are not limited to furthering the purposes of the LUDC, amendments being in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, promoting the public safety, health and general welfare of the community, and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of administering the LUDC.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS
To help Brighton grow in a sustainable manner and make the best use of resources such as water and water treatment capacity, staff have drafted amendments to the landscaping provisions in the Land Use & Development Code. As directed by the City Council. The amendments are proposed to:
* require a more sustainable landscape design for new development,
* lessen water use attributable to landscaping,
* allow existing development to retrofit to a water-saving turf of water-wise landscape, and
* address problematic provisions in the current code.
The provisions of the landscape code are found in many Articles of the LUDC. The modifications proposed are in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11.
Changes Affecting Single-Family and Single-Family Attached
For residential structures excepting apartments, there ...
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