Tree ZOTA Feb Presentation

LANDSCAPING AND TREE PROTECTION

ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT

Planning Commission Work Session

Thursday, February 29, 2024

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Agenda

§ Introduction and Review of Intent

§ ZOTA Phases 1 & 2 Distinction

§ Review of Draft Language

• Article 5

• Article 18

• Article 26

§ Workgroup Detail

§ Next Steps

§ Questions & Feedback

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Introduction and Review of Intent

§ The Division of Environmental Services (DES), in coordination with the Division of Planning, reviewed Lexington’s Zoning Ordinance and Land Subdivision Regulations.

§ Articles reviewed within the Zoning Ordinance were Articles 5 (enforcement), 18 (landscaping), 26 (tree protection standards).

§ DES' goal was to update processes and landscaping and tree protection standards, in accordance and support of the goals and objectives of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

ZOTA Phase 1 & 2 Distinction

Phase 1:

Codify Division of Environmental Services as Enforcement Agents of the Zoning Ordinance

Phase 2:

Landscape Corridor Ordinances

Update Enforcement Structures

Native Species Planting

Update Landscape Plan

Requirements

Update Landscape Perimeter

Requirements to Match

Vehicular Use Area

Requirements

Update Tree Definitions and Plan Requirements

Planting Manual

Update Tree Enforcement

Capabilities

Review and Revise Tree

Protection Regulations

Create Mitigation Fund

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article 5 – Administration, Enforcement and Violations

§ Section 5-1. Administration and enforcement

• Add the Division of Environmental Services to the list of enforcement agents of the Zoning Ordinance.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article

5 – Administration, Enforcement and Violations, Cont’d.

§ Section 5-9. Civil citations and civil penalties

• Update enforcement parameters to match KRS 100.

• Update the abatement administrative fee from $75.00 to 150.00.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article 18

– Landscaping and Land Use Buffers

§ Section 18-3. Where landscape materials required

• Update zone-to-zone landscape perimeter requirements to match Vehicular Use Area requirements.

§ Section 18-4. Landscape Materials

• Preference for non-invasive plant species being planted in development.

• Plastic and other non-living plant materials not considered acceptable.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article 18 – Landscaping and Land Use Buffers, Cont’d.

§ Section 18-5. Plan Submission and approval

• Update landscaping plan requirements.

§ Section 18-6. Planting manual incorporated and plant materials list

• Incorporate by reference.

§ Section 18-7. Variances

• Updated membership of Landscape Review Committee to reflect current needs.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article 26 – Tree Protection Standards

§ Section 26-1. Purpose

• Update purpose to focus on discussing trees' positive impact and benefits.

§ Section 26-2. Interpretation and definitions

• Update significant tree definitions.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Article 26 – Tree Protection Standards, Cont’d.

§ Section 26-4. Procedures

§ Update tree inventory map requirements.

§ Section 26-8. Approval of Tree Protection Plan

§ Update tree protection plan requirements.

§ Throughout the Article, replace gender-specific language with gender neutral language.

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection

Workgroup Detail – Thank You

§ Staff:

• Director Jennifer Carey (DES), Director James Duncan (Planning), Harold Baillie (Planning), Ben Cornett (DES), Autumn Goderwis (Planning), Tracy Jones (Law), Demetria Kimball-Mehlhorn (DES), Michael LeMaster (DES), Eve Miller (DES), Chris Taylor (Planning), Evan Thompson (Law), Boyd O. Sewe (Planning), Eric Sutherland (DES), Traci Wade (Planning), Heather Wilson (DES).

§ Feedback from:

• Corridors Commission

• Greenspace Trust

DES ZOTA: Landscaping and Tree Protection