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MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONERS
FROM: ROGER NELSON, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
H.T. HARDY, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES'A'v
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE 82-73, SECTION 53, LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
MEETING DATE: MAY 20, 1997
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission consider
adoption of the proposed amendments to Section 53, Landscaping Regulations.
BACKGROUND
The public hearing to consider amendments to Section 53, Landscaping Regulations
relative to tree size requirements was held on March 26, 1996 in conjunction with
amendments to Section 52, Tree Preservation. The amendments to Section 52, Tree
Preservation were approved August 8, 1996. Section 53, Landscaping Regulations was
tabled to further discuss minimum tree size requirements and comparison of costs of balled
or containerized trees.
The Planning and Zoning Commission at workshops on January 28, 1997 and April 10,
1997 discussed the tree size issue. The Commission at the April 10, 1997 meeting had
a guest speaker, Mr. Curtis Taber, owner of Southwest Landscape Nursery ( a commercial
and residential landscaper) to answer questions about what size trees to plant, the costs
and survival rate of balled versus containerized and best time of year to plant trees. Mr
Taber has 33 years of experience and is the past President of the Texas Association of
Nurseryman, the current Chairman of the Texas Certified Nurseryman Professional Board
and is a member of the Garden and Grounds Committee for the Dallas Arboretum.
The Planning and Zoning Commission elaborated to Mr. Taber the amendments to Section
53 were to make developers provide larger and more mature trees at the time of
development. He stated in his opinion that a three inch caliper tree when measured six
inches above ground was an excellent choice. The size is not so small as to be
insignificant, nor so large as to be cumbersome to transplant. He stated it was a myth that
a smaller tree when transplanted will exceed in growth compared to a larger tree
transplanted. He stated a larger tree when transplanted will stay larger as long as it is
maintained properly. There are no catch up factors involved.
0:1ZCU\SEC53TRE May 12, 1997 (11:30am)
Mr. Taber also addressed the balled tree versus the containerized tree. He said the
containerized tree usually has a higher survival rate. However, the balled tree is favored
more because of the lower cost. He stated less trees would planted if containerized trees
were required. He noted that most reputable nurseries guarantee their trees for a year.
So the survival rate factor is usually not applicable, because of the guarantees.
Mr. Taber also discussed the best time of year for transplanting. He stated there is not
bad time to transplant a tree. A tree can be transplanted any time and survive if the proper
care is given. Providing the proper care for a transplanted tree in late summer is a little
more difficult and the appearance of the tree may decline, but it will recover by the next
spring. The only time factor necessary to consider is when you want to remove a young
tree from it natural habitat to be balled or containerized. The best time of the year to ball
or containerize any tree is November to late February.
The Commission as a result of the discussion at the two workshops has not changed the
proposed minimum tree size of three caliper inches when measured six inches above
ground. The Commission has prepared a slide presentation for Council to illustrate the
difference in appearance between a minimum seven foot high tree and a minimum three
inch caliper tree when measured six inches above ground.
TH/mr
O:1ZCU\.SEC53TRE May 12, 1997 (11:30am)
DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
Section 53. Landscaping Regulations
A. PURPOSE: It is the purpose of this section to establish certain regulations
pertaining to landscaping within the City of Grapevine. These regulations
provide standards and criteria for new landscaping which are intended to
promote the value of property, enhance the welfare, and improve the physical
appearance of the City.
B. SCOPE: The standards and criteria contained within this section are deemed
to be minimum standards and shall apply to all new construction occurring
within the City, except that single family detached dwellings shall be exempt
since such uses rarely fail to comply with the requirements set forth in this
section.
C. ENFORCEMENT: The provision of this section shall be administered and
enforced by the Director of Public- Vvlo s Develonment Services or his
designee.
If, at any time after the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the approved
landscaping is found to be in non-conformance to the standards and criteria
of this section, the Director shall issue notice to the owner, citing the violation
and describing what action is required to comply with this section. The
owner, tenant, or agent shall have thirty (30) days from date of said notice to
restore the landscaping as required. If the landscaping is not restored within
the allotted time, such person shall be in violation of this Ordinance.
D. PERMITS: No permits shall be issued for building, paving, grading or
construction until a Landscape Plan is submitted and approved by the Director
of Community Development Ser_vic-es. In the event that the proposed
development requires an approved Subdivision Plat, Site Plan, or Master
Development Plan, no such final approval shall be granted unless a Landscape
Plan is submitted and approved.
Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any building or
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structure, all screening and landscaping shall be in place in accordance with
the landscape Plan required in subsection E of this section.
In any case in which an Occupancy Certificate is sought at a season of the
year in which the Director of munity Development Stryk-es determines
that it would be impractical to plant trees, shrubs or grass, or to lay turf, an
Occupancy Certificate may be issued notwithstanding the fact that the
landscaping required by the Landscape Plan has not been completed provided
the applicant posts a letter of credit or deposits cash in an escrow account in
the amount of the estimated cost of such landscaping. Such letter of credit or
escrow deposit shall be conditioned upon the installation of all landscaping
required by the landscaping plan within six (6) months of the date of the
application and shall give the City the right to draw upon the letter of credit
or escrow deposit to complete the said landscaping if the applicant fails to do
so.
E. LANDSCAPE PLANS: Prior to the issuance of a building, paving, grading
or construction permit for any use other than single family dwellings, a
landscape plan shall be submitted to the Department of C
Development Services. The Director of the De
Development Services, or a designee, shall review such plans and shall
approve same if the plans are in accordance with the criteria of these
regulations. If the plans are not in accord, they shall be disapproved and shall
be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the changes necessary for
compliance.
Landscaping plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect, landscape
contractor, landscape designer, knowledgeable in plants, materials and
landscape design. Landscape Plans shall contain the following information:
1. Minimum scale of one (1) inch equals fifty (50) feet;
2. Location of all trees to be preserved;
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LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
3. Location of all plant and landscaping material to be used including
plants, paving, benches, screens, fountains, statues, or other landscape
features;
4. Species of all plant material to be used;
5. Size of all plant material to be used;
6. Spacing of plant material where appropriate;
7. Layout and description of irrigation, sprinkler or water systems
including placement of water sources;
8. Description of maintenance provision for the Landscape Plan;
9. Person(s) responsible for the preparation of Landscape Plan.
F. MAINTENANCE: The owner, tenant and their agent, if any shall be jointly
and severally responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping. All required
landscaping shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner at all times.
This shall include mowing, edging, pruning, fertilizing, watering, weeding,
and other such activities common to the maintenance of landscaping.
Landscaped areas shall be kept free of trash, litter, weeds and other such
material or plants not a part of the landscaping. All plant materials shall be
maintained in a healthy and growing condition as is appropriate for the season
of the year. Plant materials which die shall be replaced with plant material
of similar variety and size.
G. GENERAL STANDARDS: The following criteria and standards shall apply
to landscape materials and installation.
1. QUALITY: Plant materials used in conformance with the provisions
of this Ordinance shall conform to the standards of the American
Standard For Nursery Stock, or equal thereto. Grass seed, sod and
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other material shall be clean and reasonably free of weeds and noxious
pests and insects.
2. TREES: Trees referred to in this Section shall be of a species common
to this area of Texas and shall have an average spread of crown of
greater than fifteen (15) feet at maturity. Trees having a lesser average
mature crown of fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping the
same so as to create the equivalent of a fifteen (15) feet crown of
spread. Trees shall be of a minimum of three Q) cali�nches when
t
3. SHRUBS & HEDGES: Shrubs shall be a minimum of two (2) feet in
height when measured immediately after planting. Hedges, where
installed, shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous,
unbroken, solid, visual screen which will be three (3) feet high within
one (1) year after time of planting.
4. VINES: Vines shall be a minimum of two (2) feet in height
immediately after planting and may be used in conjunction with fences,
screens, or walls to meet screening requirements as specified.
5. GROUND COVER: Ground covers used in lieu of grass in whole and
in part shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished
appearance and reasonably complete coverage within one year of
planting.
6. LAWN GRASS: Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged or
seeded except that solid sod shall be used in swales, berms, or other
areas subject to erosion.
7. CREDIT FOR EXISTING TREES: Any trees preserved on a site
meeting the herein specifications shall be credited toward meeting the
tree requirement of any landscaping provision of this Section. Trees
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of exceptional quality due to size, large canopy cover, trunk diameter,
rareness, age or species may, at the discretion of the Director, be
credited as two (2) trees for the herein minimum requirements.
H. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING AND
VEHICULAR USE AREAS: Parking lots, vehicular use areas and parked
vehicles are to be effectively screened from the public view and adjacent
property. Both the interior and perimeter of such areas shall be landscaped
in accordance to the following criteria. Areas used for parking or vehicular
storage which are under, on, or within buildings are exempt from these
standards.
1. INTERIOR LANDSCAPING: A minimum of ten (10) percent of the
gross parking areas shall be devoted to living landscaping which
includes grass, ground cover, plants, shrubs and trees. Gross parking
area is to be measured from the edge of the parking and/or driveway
paving and sidewalks. The following additional criteria shall apply to
the interior of parking lots.
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a. Interior landscape areas shall be protected from vehicular
encroachment of overhang through appropriate wheel stops or
curbs.
b. There shall be a minimum of one (1) tree planted for each four
hundred (400) square feet or fraction thereof of required interior
landscape area.
C. Interior areas of parking lots shall contain planting islands
located so as to best relieve the expanse of paving. Planter
islands must be located no further apart than every twelve (12)
parking spaces and at the terminus of all rows of parking. Such
islands shall contain at least one (1) tree. Planter islands shall
not be required for lots containing less than thirty-five thousand
(35,000) square feet. The remainder shall be landscaped with
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shrubs, lawn, ground cover and other appropriate material not
to exceed three (3) feet in height. Interior planter islands shall
have a minimum size of nine (9) by eighteen (18) feet.
d. The Director of Community Development Services may approve
planter islands required by Section 53 H.l.c. to be located
further apart than twelve (12) parking spaces in order to preserve
existing trees in interior parking areas. Off-street parking and
drive areas located within the drip line of a tree shall be paved
with permeable material approved by the Director of Community
Development Stryic-es when the drip line of an existing tree is
larger than planter islands required by Section 53.H.1.c.
2. PERIMETER LANDSCAPING: All parking lots and vehicular use
areas shall be screened from all abutting properties and/or public
rights-of-way with a wall, fence, hedge, berm or other durable
landscape barrier. Any living barrier shall be established in a two (2)
feet minimum width planting strip. Plants and materials used in living
barriers shall be at least thirty (30) inches high at the time of planting
and shall be of a type and species that will attain a minimum height of
three (3) feet one (1) year after planting.
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Any landscape barrier not containing live plants or trees, shall be a
minimum of three (3) feet high at time of installation. Perimeter
landscaping shall be designed to screen off-street parking lots and other
vehicular use areas from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.
a. Whenever an off-street parking or vehicular use area abuts a
public right-of-way, except a public alley, a perimeter landscape
area of at least fifteen (15) feet in depth shall be maintained
between the abutting right-of-way and the off-street parking or
vehicular use area. An appropriate landscape screen or barrier
shall be installed in this area and the remaining area shall be
landscaped with at least grass or other ground cover. Necessary
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accessways from the public right-of-way shall be permitted
through all such landscaping. The maximum width for
accessways shall be: fifty (50) feet for non-residential two- way
movements; thirty (30) feet for non-residential two-way
movements; Twenty (20) feet for non-residential one-way
movement.
b. Whenever an off-street parking or vehicular use areas abuts an
adjacent property line, a perimeter landscape area of at least ten
(10) feet in width shall be maintained between the edge of the
parking area and the adjacent property line. Accessways
between lots may be permitted through all perimeter landscape
areas. Maximum width for accessways shall be twenty-five (25)
feet. Landscaping shall be designed to visually screen the
parking area. Whenever such property is zoned or used for
residential purposes, the landscape buffer shall include a wall,
hedge, or berm not greater than eight (8) feet in height nor less
than three (3) feet in height.
C. Perimeter landscape areas shall contain at least one (1) tree for
each fifty (50) lineal feet or fraction thereof of perimeter area.
I. LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR NONVEHICULAR OPEN
SPACE. In addition to the landscaping of off-street parking and vehicular use
areas, all remaining open spaces on any developed lot or parcel shall conform
to the following minimum requirements:
1. Grass, ground cover, shrubs, and other landscape materials shall be
used to cover all open ground within twenty (20) feet of any building
or paving or other use such as storage.
2. All structures shall be treated with landscaping so as to enhance the
appearance of the structure and to screen any detractive or unsightly
appearance.
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3. Landscaping shall be provided on each developed lot in accordance
with the following standards:
a. In all residential zoning districts (except R-20, R-12.5, and R-
7.5), a minimum of fifteen (15) percent of the landscaping shall
be located in the required front yard.
b. In all non-residential zoning districts, a minimum of fifteen (15)
percent of the total site area shall be devoted to feature
landscaping with not less than fifty (50) percent of the
landscaping being located in the required front yard.
4. Trees shall be planted in non -vehicular open space to meet the
following requirements. Existing trees that are preserved on a
developed site may be credited to the following requirements
Percentage of Site in
Vehicular Open Space
Less than 30
30-49
Over 50
Tree Ratio per Non-
vehicular Open Space
1 tree/2500 sq. ft.
1 tree/3000 sq. ft.
1 tree/4000 sq. ft.
J. SIGHT DISTANCE AND VISIBILITY: Rigid compliance with these
landscaping requirements shall not be such as to cause visibility obstructions
and/or blind corners at intersections. Whenever an accessway intersects a
public right-of-way or when the subject property abuts the intersection of two
(2) or more public rights-of-way, a triangular visibility area, as described
below, shall be created. Landscaping within the triangular visibility area shall
be designed to provide unobstructed cross -visibility at a level between three
(3) and six (6) feet. Trees may be permitted in this area provided they are
trimmed in such a manner that no limbs or foliage extend into the cross -
visibility area. The triangular areas are:
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1. The areas of property on both sides of the intersection of an accessway
and a public right-of-way shall have a triangular visibility area with two
(2) sides of each triangle being ten (10) feet in length from the point of
the intersection and the third side being a line connecting the ends of
the other two (2) sides.
2. The areas of property located at a corner formed by the intersection of
two (2) or more public rights-of-way shall have a triangular visibility
area with two (2) sides of each triangle being twenty (20) feet in length
from the point of the intersection and the third side being a line
connecting the ends of the other two (2) sides.
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Landscaping, except required grass and low ground covers, shall not
be located closer than three (3) feet from the edge of any accessway
pavement.
In the event other visibility obstructions are apparent in the proposed
Landscape Plan, as determined by the Director, the requirements set
forth herein may be reduced to the extent to remove the conflict.
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Section 53
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONERS
FROM: ROGER NELSON, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
H.T. HARDY, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMEN ERVICES
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE 82-73, SECTION 53, LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
MEETING DATE: JUNE 3, 1997
Staff recommends the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission consider
adoption of the proposed amendments to Section 53, Landscaping Regulations.
BACKGROUND
The public hearing to consider amendments to Section 53, Landscaping Regulations
relative to tree size requirements was held on March 26, 1996 in conjunction with
amendments to Section 52, Tree Preservation. The amendments to Section 52, Tree
Preservation were approved August 8, 1996. Section 53, Landscaping Regulations was
tabled to further discuss minimum tree size requirements and comparison of costs of balled
or containerized trees.
The Planning and Zoning Commission at workshops on January 28, 1997 and April 10,
1997 discussed the tree size issue. The Commission at the April 10, 1997 meeting had
a guest speaker, Mr. Curtis Taber, owner of Southwest Landscape Nursery (a commercial
and residential landscaper) to answer questions about what size trees to plant, the costs
and survival rate of balled versus containerized and the best time of year to plant trees.
Mr Taber has 33 years of experience and is the past President of the Texas Association
of Nurseryman, the current Chairman of the Texas Certified Nurseryman Professional
Board and is a member of the Garden and Grounds Committee for the Dallas Arboretum.
The Planning and Zoning Commission elaborated to Mr. Taber the amendments to Section
53 were to make developers provide larger and more mature trees at the time of
development. He stated in his opinion that a three inch caliper tree when measured six
inches above ground was an excellent choice. The size is not so small as to be
insignificant, nor so large as to be cumbersome to transplant. He stated it was a myth that
a smaller tree when transplanted will exceed in growth compared to a larger tree
transplanted. He stated a larger tree when transplanted will stay larger as long as it is
maintained properly. There are no catch up factors involved.
0:1ZCU\SEC53TRE.WPD May 28, 1997 (4:38pm)
Mr. Taber also addressed the balled tree versus the containerized tree. He said the
containerized tree usually has a higher survival rate. However, the balled tree is favored
more because of the lower cost. He stated fewer trees would be planted if containerized
trees were required. He noted that most reputable nurseries guarantee their trees for a
year. So the survival rate factor is usually not applicable, because of the guarantees.
Mr. Taber also discussed the best time of year for transplanting. He stated there is not a
bad time to transplant a tree. A tree can be transplanted any time and survive if the proper
care is given. Providing the proper care for a transplanted tree in late summer is a little
more difficult and the appearance of the tree may decline, but it will recover by the next
spring. The only time factor necessary to consider is when you want to remove a young
tree from its natural habitat to be balled or containerized. The best time of the year to ball
or containerize any tree is November to late February.
The Commission as a result of the discussion at the two workshops has not changed the
proposed minimum tree size of three caliper inches when measured six inches above
ground. The Commission has prepared a slide presentation for Council to illustrate the
difference in appearance between a minimum seven foot high tree and a minimum three
inch caliper tree when measured six inches above ground.
TH/mr
0:\ZCU\SEC53TRE.WPD May 28, 1997 (4:37pm)
DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
Section 53. Landscaping Regulations
A. PURPOSE: It is the purpose of this section to establish certain regulations
pertaining to landscaping within the City of Grapevine. These regulations
provide standards and criteria for new landscaping which are intended to
promote the value of property, enhance the welfare, and improve the physical
appearance of the City.
B. SCOPE: The standards and criteria contained within this section are deemed
to be minimum standards and shall apply to all new construction occurring
within the City, except that single family detached dwellings shall be exempt
since such uses rarely fail to comply with the requirements set forth in this
section.
C. ENFORCEMENT: The provision of this section shall be administered and
enforced by the Director of Pu Development Services or his
designee.
If, at any time after the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the approved
landscaping is found to be in non-conformance to the standards and criteria
of this section, the Director shall issue notice to the owner, citing the violation
and describing what action is required to comply with this section. The
owner, tenant, or agent shall have thirty (30) days from date of said notice to
restore the landscaping as required. If the landscaping is not restored within
the allotted time, such person shall be in violation of this Ordinance.
D. PERMITS: No permits shall be issued for building, paving, grading or
construction until a Landscape Plan is submitted and approved by the Director
of Community Development Services. In the event that the proposed
development requires an approved Subdivision Plat, Site Plan, or Master
Development Plan, no such final approval shall be granted unless a Landscape
Plan is submitted and approved.
Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any building or
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structure, all screening and landscaping shall be in place in accordance with
the landscape Plan required in subsection E of this section.
In any case in which an Occupancy Certificate is sought at a season of the
year in which the Director of Community Development Services determines
that it would be impractical to plant trees, shrubs or grass, or to lay turf, an
Occupancy Certificate may be issued notwithstanding the fact that the
landscaping required by the Landscape Plan has not been completed provided
the applicant posts a letter of credit or deposits cash in an escrow account in
the amount of the estimated cost of such landscaping. Such letter of credit or
escrow deposit shall be conditioned upon the installation of all landscaping
required by the landscaping plan within six (6) months of the date of the
application and shall give the City the right to draw upon the letter of credit
or escrow deposit to complete the said landscaping if the applicant fails to do
so.
E. LANDSCAPE PLANS: Prior to the issuance of a building, paving, grading
or construction permit for any use other than single family dwellings, a
landscape plan shall be submitted to the Department of Community
Development Services. The Director of the Department -of -Community
Development Services, or a designee, shall review such plans and shall
approve same if the plans are in accordance with the criteria of these
regulations. If the plans are not in accord, they shall be disapproved and shall
be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the changes necessary for
compliance.
Landscaping plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect, landscape
contractor, landscape designer, knowledgeable in plants, materials and
landscape design. Landscape Plans shall contain the following information:
1. Minimum scale of one (1) inch equals fifty (50) feet;
2. Location of all trees to be preserved;
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LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
3. Location of all plant and landscaping material to be used including
plants, paving, benches, screens, fountains, statues, or other landscape
features;
4. Species of all plant material to be used;
5. Size of all plant material to be used;
6. Spacing of plant material where appropriate;
7. Layout and description of irrigation, sprinkler or water systems
including placement of water sources;
8. Description of maintenance provision for the Landscape Plan;
9. Person(s) responsible for the preparation of Landscape Plan.
F. MAINTENANCE: The owner, tenant and their agent, if any shall be jointly
and severally responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping. All required
landscaping shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner at all times.
This shall include mowing, edging, pruning, fertilizing, watering, weeding,
and other such activities common to the maintenance of landscaping.
Landscaped areas shall be kept free of trash, litter, weeds and other such
material or plants not a part of the landscaping. All plant materials shall be
maintained in a healthy and growing condition as is appropriate for the season
of the year. Plant materials which die shall be replaced with plant material
of similar variety and size.
G. GENERAL STANDARDS: The following criteria and standards shall apply
to landscape materials and installation.
1. QUALITY: Plant materials used in conformance with the provisions
of this Ordinance shall conform to the standards of the American
Standard For Nursery Stock, or equal thereto. Grass seed, sod and
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LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
other material shall be clean and reasonably free of weeds and noxious
pests and insects.
2. TREES: Trees referred to in this Section shall be of a species common
to this area of Texas and shall have an average spread of crown of
greater than fifteen (15) feet at maturity. Trees having a lesser average
mature crown of fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping the
same so as to create the equivalent of a fifteen (15) feet crown of
spread. Trees shall be of a minimum of three (3) c� er inches when
measured six_(O inches ahove-o and (7)--ret-ii- ht -at
time of -planting.
3. SHRUBS & HEDGES: Shrubs shall be a minimum of two (2) feet in
height when measured immediately after planting. Hedges, where
installed, shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous,
unbroken, solid, visual screen which will be three (3) feet high within
one (1) year after time of planting.
4. VINES: Vines shall be a minimum of two (2) feet in height
immediately after planting and may be used in conjunction with fences,
screens, or walls to meet screening requirements as specified.
5. GROUND COVER: Ground covers used in lieu of grass in whole and
in part shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished
appearance and reasonably complete coverage within one year of
planting.
6. LAWN GRASS: Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged or
seeded except that solid sod shall be used in swales, berms, or other
areas subject to erosion.
7. CREDIT FOR EXISTING TREES: Any trees preserved on a site
meeting the herein specifications shall be credited toward meeting the
tree requirement of any landscaping provision of this Section. Trees
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of exceptional quality due to size, large canopy cover, trunk diameter,
rareness, age or species may, at the discretion of the Director, be
credited as two (2) trees for the herein minimum requirements.
H. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING AND
VEHICULAR USE AREAS: Parking lots, vehicular use areas and parked
vehicles are to be effectively screened from the public view and adjacent
property. Both the interior and perimeter of such areas shall be landscaped
in accordance to the following criteria. Areas used for parking or vehicular
storage which are under, on, or within buildings are exempt from these
standards.
1. INTERIOR LANDSCAPING: A minimum of ten (10) percent of the
gross parking areas shall be devoted to living landscaping which
includes grass, ground cover, plants, shrubs and trees. Gross parking
area is to be measured from the edge of the parking and/or driveway
paving and sidewalks. The following additional criteria shall apply to
the interior of parking lots.
112189
a. Interior landscape areas shall be protected from vehicular
encroachment of overhang through appropriate wheel stops or
curbs.
b. There shall be a minimum of one (1) tree planted for each four
hundred (400) square feet or fraction thereof of required interior
landscape area.
C. Interior areas of parking lots shall contain planting islands
located so as to best relieve the expanse of paving. Planter
islands must be located no further apart than every twelve (12)
parking spaces and at the terminus of all rows of parking. Such
islands shall contain at least one (1) tree. Planter islands shall
not be required for lots containing less than thirty-five thousand
(35,000) square feet. The remainder shall be landscaped with
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DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
shrubs, lawn, ground cover and other appropriate material not
to exceed three (3) feet in height. Interior planter islands shall
have a minimum size of nine (9) by eighteen (18) feet.
d. The Director of Community Development Services may approve
planter islands required by Section 53 H.l.c. to be located
further apart than twelve (12) parking spaces in order to preserve
existing trees in interior parking areas. Off-street parking and
drive areas located within the drip line of a tree shall be paved
with permeable material approved by the Director of Community
Development Services when the drip line of an existing tree is
larger than planter islands required by Section 53.H.1.c.
2. PERIMETER LANDSCAPING: All parking lots and vehicular use
areas shall be screened from all abutting properties and/or public
rights-of-way with a wall, fence, hedge, berm or other durable
landscape barrier. Any living barrier shall be established in a two (2)
feet minimum width planting strip. Plants and materials used in living
barriers shall be at least thirty (30) inches high at the time of planting
and shall be of a type and species that will attain a minimum height of
three (3) feet one (1) year after planting.
112189
Any landscape barrier not containing live plants or trees, shall be a
minimum of three (3) feet high at time of installation. Perimeter
landscaping shall be designed to screen off-street parking lots and other
vehicular use areas from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.
a. Whenever an off-street parking or vehicular use area abuts a
public right-of-way, except a public alley, a perimeter landscape
area of at least fifteen (15) feet in depth shall be maintained
between the abutting right-of-way and the off-street parking or
vehicular use area. An appropriate landscape screen or barrier
shall be installed in this area and the remaining area shall be
landscaped with at least grass or other ground cover. Necessary
0
Section 53
DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
accessways from the public right-of-way shall be permitted
through all such landscaping. The maximum width for
accessways shall be: fifty (50) feet for non-residential two- way
movements; thirty (30) feet for non-residential two-way
movements; Twenty (20) feet for non-residential one-way
movement.
b. Whenever an off-street parking or vehicular use areas abuts an
adjacent property line, a perimeter landscape area of at least ten
(10) feet in width shall be maintained between the edge of the
parking area and the adjacent property line. Accessways
between lots may be permitted through all perimeter landscape
areas. Maximum width for accessways shall be twenty-five (25)
feet. Landscaping shall be designed to visually screen the
parking area. Whenever such property is zoned or used for
residential purposes, the landscape buffer shall include a wall,
hedge, or berm not greater than eight (8) feet in height nor less
than three (3) feet in height.
C. Perimeter landscape areas shall contain at least one (1) tree for
each fifty (50) lineal feet or fraction thereof of perimeter area.
I. LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR NONVEHICULAR OPEN
SPACE. In addition to the landscaping of off-street parking and vehicular use
areas, all remaining open spaces on any developed lot or parcel shall conform
to the following minimum requirements:
1. Grass, ground cover, shrubs, and other landscape materials shall be
used to cover all open ground within twenty (20) feet of any building
or paving or other use such as storage.
2. All structures shall be treated with landscaping so as to enhance the
appearance of the structure and to screen any detractive or unsightly
appearance.
112189
7
Section 53
DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
3. Landscaping shall be provided on each developed lot in accordance
with the following standards:
a. In all residential zoning districts (except R-20, R-12.5, and R-
7.5), a minimum of fifteen (15) percent of the landscaping shall
be located in the required front yard.
b. In all non-residential zoning districts, a minimum of fifteen (15)
percent of the total site area shall be devoted to feature
landscaping with not less than fifty (50) percent of the
landscaping being located in the required front yard.
4. Trees shall be planted in non -vehicular open space to meet the
following requirements. Existing trees that are preserved on a
developed site may be credited to the following requirements
Percentage of Site in
Vehicular Open Space
Less than 30
30-49
Over 50
Tree Ratio per Non-
vehicular Open Space
1 tree/2500 sq. ft.
1 tree/3000 sq. ft.
1 tree/4000 sq. ft.
J. SIGHT DISTANCE AND VISIBILITY: Rigid compliance with these
landscaping requirements shall not be such as to cause visibility obstructions
and/or blind corners at intersections. Whenever an accessway intersects a
public right-of-way or when the subject property abuts the intersection of two
(2) or more public rights-of-way, a triangular visibility area, as described
below, shall be created. Landscaping within the triangular visibility area shall
be designed to provide unobstructed cross -visibility at a level between three
(3) and six (6) feet. Trees may be permitted in this area provided they are
trimmed in such a manner that no limbs or foliage extend into the cross -
visibility area. The triangular areas are:
112189
Section 53
DRAFT COPY 06/24/96 LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
1. The areas of property on both sides of the intersection of an accessway
and a public right-of-way shall have a triangular visibility area with two
(2) sides of each triangle being ten (10) feet in length from the point of
the intersection and the third side being a line connecting the ends of
the other two (2) sides.
2. The areas of property located at a corner formed by the intersection of
two (2) or more public rights-of-way shall have a triangular visibility
area with two (2) sides of each triangle being twenty (20) feet in length
from the point of the intersection and the third side being a line
connecting the ends of the other two (2) sides.
112189
Landscaping, except required grass and low ground covers, shall not
be located closer than three (3) feet from the edge of any accessway
pavement.
In the event other visibility obstructions are apparent in the proposed
Landscape Plan, as determined by the Director, the requirements set
forth herein may be reduced to the extent to remove the conflict.
E
Section 53
GRAPEVINE
Ms. Janice Gregory
Fort Worth Star Telegram
P.O. Box 1870
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
A Future With A Past
RE: Grapevine Account # CIT 25
Dear Ms. Gregory,
i�-jy/ �j5-Clo
June 27, 1995
Please find enclosed, the following for publication on Sunday, June 30, 1996, in the
Northeast Edition of the Neighborhood Extra Section of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
(One time only)
Item Meeting Date
Notice of Public Hearing
Z96-02 - Bethel School Road Joint Venture July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
Z96-12 - Tim Lancaster July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
Z96-14 - Danny Tosh Architects July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
Z96-17 - City of Grapevine July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
CU96-14 - TGI Fridays July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
CU96-15 - Mike Roberts July 16, 1996
THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE dINA
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES P.O. Box 95104 Grapevine, Texas 76099 Phone Metro 817;'481-0377
FAX #817,1424-0545
Notice of Public Hearing
CU96-16 - Danny Tosh Architects July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
CU96-17 - Salt Grass, Inc. July 16, 1996
Notice of Public Hearing
Grapevine Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance 82-73 July 16, 1996
As always, your assistance is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please
contact me at (817) 481-0359.
Sincerely,
-7
Marcy Rat liff
Planner
Development Services
Enclosure
/mr
—COMM . TDURNAL— DATE G6 -12E-1996 ****** TIME 01: 1 'FM ** P.1
MODE = TRANSMISSION START=ESE 2O 01:04PM EMD=06-28 01:12PM
F40. COM SPEED NO STATION NAME/ PAGES
TELEPHONE PJO.
001 OK 1181 Star Telegram 016
—Grapevine Conm. Dev . —
**************************************C FAX -200 412.17)*
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR
CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
The City of Grapevine's City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission do hereby
notify each of you that a Joint Public Hearing will be conducted by both the
Commission and the City Council to consider amendments and changes to the City
of Grapevine's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, No. 82-73, as amended, same
being Appendix D of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Grapevine, pursuant to
and in accordance with the City of Grapevine's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, No.
82-73, as amended and Texas Local Government Code, Title 7, Chapter 211 on the
16th Day of July, 1996, at 7:30 o'clock PM in the Council Chambers, Room 205,
307 West Dallas Road, Grapevine, Texas. All interested parties will be given an
opportunity to appear and be heard and express their views.
The City Council and the Commission will consider amendments and changes to the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, No. 82-73, same being Appendix D of the Code
of Ordinances, specifically amending Section 49 relative to height of churches and
any other additions, deletions or changes to various section, articles and provisions
contained in said Ordinance No. 82-73.
After all parties have been given an opportunity to speak, the public hearing will be
closed and the Commission and the City Council will deliberate the pending matters.
Please contact the Department of Development Services concerning any questions,
307 West Dallas Road, Grapevine, Texas, 76051 or P.O. Box 95104, Grapevine,
Texas, 76099 481-0377.
Fort Worth Star -Telegram
400 W. SEVENTH STREET . FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
FED. I.D. NO. 22-3148254 2035925
AD INVOICE NO,
ACCOUNT NO. CIT25
THE STATE OF TEXAS
County of Tarrant
Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, this day
personally appeared Tammie Bryant Billing Specialist for the Fort Worth
Star -Telegram, published by the Star -Telegram Inc. at Fort Worth, in Tarrant County, Texas; and
who, after being duly sworn, did depose and say that the following clipping of an advertisement was
published in the above named paper on the following dates:
DATE - AD INVOICE NO. DESCRIPTION AD SIZE INcHiuNE RATE ' • '
6/30M 2035925 NOTICE OF PUBLIC I358 1x 65L 65 1.32 85.80
MnTih.F nF PUBLIC,HEARING 06/30-06/30
SUI
3 J_L
EED ACCOU T # _ y� yi 7-._3
mr-,E-D OTHOojZED SIGNATURE 91-11
S
N TO BEFORE ME, THIS THE 1st DAY OF July 1996
RHONDA R. GOKE Notary Public
�=•s COMMISSION EXPIRES
S'Y SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS
nance,;No 1:�82-73 same be-
ing Apendix D o1= the. Code
of Oidinances,, specifically
fives xo�ngeightt�of .c orches
PI �eied a yorother
additions,
de IRIGINAL INVOICE AND RECONCILE WITH MONTHLY STATEMENT. THANK YOU!
ous section, articles and
provisions contained In said — TEAR ALONG THIS PERFORATION AND RETURN THE LOWER PORTION WITH YOUR PAYMENT —�
Ordinance No. 82-73.
After all parties have been giv-
en an oppArtunity to speak,
the public hearing will be
closed an¢the Commission '
and the Orly Council will de- I
liberate the pending mat-
Forters. Please contact the De-
puesti ns, 3 Development ��r-Telegram
Services ; concerning any 400 W. SEVENTH ST. • FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
,questionsr 307 West Dallas
Road, Grapevine, Texas
76051 br_P.o. Box 95104, CIT25 5
Grapevine, Texas 76099, INI
OUNT • 85-80
481-0377. _ M 31ER
PAGE 1 O� IF ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL (817) 390-7501
CITY OF GRAPEVINE
CITY SECRETARY
PO BOX 95104
GRAPEVINE, TX 76099-9704
ATTN: D•EVANS
PLEASE PAY , 85.80
THIS AMOUNT
PLEASE WRITE IN AMOUNT ENCLOSED
ITEM #.-.'OOZ6
MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: TRENT PETTY, CITY MANAGER
H.T. HARDY, DIRECTOR OF DEV LOPMENT SERVICES
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 6, 1996
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 60, SIGN
REGULATIONS, SECTION 52, TREE PRESERVATION, SECTION
53, LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS, SECTION 45, CONCEPT
PLANS, SECTION 47, SITE PLAN REVIEW OF THE GRAPEVINE
COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE 82-73
RECOMMENDATION:
On July 16, 1996, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval
of the attached proposed amendment changes relative to ground, monument and pole
signs and to tree preservation permits. Staff recommends City Council take any action
deemed necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission authorized Staff to set a public hearing on specific
sections of the Zoning Ordinance for March 26, 1996. After a discussion relative to the
proposed amendments, the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission
approved tabling the public hearing to April 16, 1996. The Council and Commission voted
to close the public hearing at the April 16, 1996 meeting and schedule a joint workshop.
The Joint Workshop with Council and the Commission was held on April 30, 1996.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a Workshop on June 13, 1996 to review the
discussion from the Joint Workshop. After their discussions, the Commission requested
Staff to make specific changes to the proposed amendments. The Planning and Zoning
Commission reviewed the specific changes at the July 16, 1996 meeting and made their
recommendation to City Council. Listed below is a summary of the changes made to the
proposed amendments.
Ground, Monument, Pole, Portable and Vehicle Signage
The Planning and Zoning Commission as a result of the discussions and concerns
expressed at the Joint Workshop proposed a compromise. The compromise
included no specific changes to the current ground sign regulations, instead they
have added monument signs as a new structural type of signage. The proposed
0:\ZCU\ASTP08-6.96 I July 31, 1996 9:14am
monument sign regulations would allow a business to request a sign, solid from the
ground up, to have a maximum sign area of 100 square feet no more than 10 feet
high; unless placed on top of a 2 foot berm or 2 foot masonry planter box.
Additionally, the Commission eliminated 40' pole signs on SH 121 south of SH 360
and the requirement for 40' pole signs to be architecturally related to the principal
structure.
Listed below are the specific changes made as a result of the discussions, concerns
and compromises since the Joint Workshop:
Create an on -premise monument sign - Section 6O.B.2.c., Monument Sign
Regulations (pages 4-5)
No proposed amendments to the ground sign regulations - Section
60.B.2.b., Ground Sign Regulations (pages 3-4)
Specified number of signage allowed per lot - Section 60.C.10., Number of
signs per lot with the addition of monument signs (page 12)
Allow lots along designated highways to apply for 40' pole signs; eliminate
40' pole signs on SH 121 south of SH 360; allow 40' pole signs on SH 360
& FM 2499 (Grapevine Mills Parkway); no requirement for 40' pole signs to
be architecturally related to the principal structure - Section 60.B.2.c.12.,
Conditional Use Pole Sign Regulations (pages 6-7)
Keep amendments for portable and vehicle signs - Section 6O.C.13.,
Portable and Vehicle Sign Regulations (page 13)
Tree Preservation
The Planning and Zoning Commission after the Joint Workshop reviewed and
discussed the comments made at the meeting and proposed language that would
leave Tree Preservation Permits in Council's jurisdiction. The language as
proposed would allow the Commission to recommend to Council if a Tree
Preservation Permit was thought to be necessary. It would then be up to Council
to dictate the caliper size tree to be surveyed for purposes of tree preservation and
tree removal. The Commission felt that by not establishing a specific size, Council
could then dictate either smaller or larger size trees based upon the tree coverage
of the tract. The Tree Preservation Permit would be able to be invoked at zone
change requests, conditional and special use permits, preliminary and final plats
and replats of single family, multifamily, commercial and industrial properties as
deemed necessary by City Council. The Commission did revise the language to
uniformly use caliper size in the Landscaping Regulations and in the Tree
O:\ZCU WSTP08-6.96 2 July 31, 1996 9:14am
Preservation Ordinances.
Listed below are the specific Sections of the Zoning Ordinance that are proposed
to be amended.
Section 52, Tree Preservation
Section 45.C., Concept Plans
Section 47.E.1.b.24., Site Plan Review
Section 53.G.2., Landscaping Regulations
0:\ZCU\ASTP08-6.96 3 July 31, 1996 9:14am
ELANEY VINEYARDS
{�Y
Tom Hardy
413 South Main Street
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Dear Tom:
PR 2
April 22, 1996
The purpose of this letter is to express my deep concern about the potential future installation of large
commercial pole signs adjacent to Highway 121 south of Highway 360.
For the record, I fully support Grapevine's initiative in establishing a friendly and supportive climate for
growth of the Texas wine industry here. In addition, I believe strongly in what the city is doing in its efforts
to combine well -disciplined commercial growth with historic preservation. So the reason for this letter is not
to take exception to the city's blueprint for growth. Indeed, my concern is that we do everything possible to
make that plan succeed. Unfortunately, 20 -foot and 40 -foot pole signs within the designated Grapevine
Vintage District, will be counterproductive to what is currently an excellent plan, and I feel compelled to
express my objections.
As you well know, across the country, blighted and crumbling old neighborhoods are finding strong support
for preservation. But Grapevine stands out from the others as a textbook example of how local heritage can
be preserved through grassroots citizen involvement. In my opinion, all of Northeast Tarrant County seems
to walk a little taller because Grapevine's citizens are nurturing their local heritage and sharing it with others.
Residents and visitors alike recognize that Grapevine's community spirit is unique and distinctive. What a
shame it would be, then, to allow our Vintage District to begin looking like every other over -developed
suburb in the Metroplex. What a mistake it would be to allow what we hope someday will become a federally
designated viticultural region to be hidden in a forest of steel and plastic pole signs. What we have set aside
in our Grapevine Vintage District is a distinctively agrarian landscape that, once lost, can never be restored.
For these reasons, I respectfully request your help -- and the help on the city council -- in prohibiting 20 -foot
and 40 -foot pole signs on both the east and west sides of Highway 121 North of Glade Road, and limiting
future signage to the 100 -square -foot "architecturally blended" ground signs now under consideration by the
city.
I look forward to visiting with you or other city officials you deem appropriate to discuss this issue in greater
detail.
Y urs truly,
�L
J R. laney
2000 Champagne Blvd. Grapevine, Texas 76051 (817) 481-5668 Fax (817) 251-8119
�h
APF 2 2
N �•I 1
ti it
Texas Wine and Grape Growers Associ
One Liberty Park Plaza Grapevine, Texas 76051-5374
April 22, 1996
The Honorable William D. Tate
Mayor - City of Grapevine
413 South Main Street
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Dear Mayor Tate:
As custodians of a great historic legacy, you and the other city leaders of Grapevine
are to be commended for what you have achieved over the past 10 years in terms of
carefully planned growth and, conversely, your determination not to blindly seek "growth
at any cost." The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association recognizes, supports and
applauds Grapevine's efforts to view historic preservation as part of a living environment,
and not simply a museum exhibit that somehow should inspire curiosity through a collection
of oddities or connection with a great person or event. Your foresight, courage and planning
skills are made all the more remarkable when we realize that preservation inevitably must
come face-to-face with progress. Cities and suburbs grow. Businesses spring up and
attract patrons. Highways and airports reach out and serve communities almost as much as
they intrude on them.
And now, the city's leaders have become the architects for what is steadily becoming
the nerve center for the modern Texas Wine Industry. In this regard, the Officers and
Directors of the TWGGA urge you to stay the course and do everything possible to assure
that the Grapevine Vintage District is able to grow into the international destination we all
believe it can become.
Because of these factors, we respectfully ask that you continue to protect the
environmental attractiveness of the Grapevine Vintage District and carry on with your
stewardship of this irreplaceable community asset. Specifically, we ask that the city
prohibit the installation of 20 -foot and 40 -foot pole signs adjacent to Highway 121 south of
Highway 360. It is our belief that attractive ground signs of the type and size the city is
now studying will be completely adequate for commercial purposes. More important,
however, such signage will help preserve the visual integrity and unique appeal of the
Vintaae District.
In closing, please accept TWGGA's offer to help in this effort in any way that may be
appropriate. I will follow up with you by telephone later this week to discuss ways in
which our Association might be of assistance.
Sincerel ours,
to Bur e
Executive Director
cc: Tommy Hardy, Director -Development Services
Telephone: (817) 424-0570 FAX: (817) 488-1048