G-12-03-08-8B3 - 3/8/2012 1 ORDINANCE NO.
2
3
4 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES (2010 EDITION)
5 CHAPTER 46, ARTICLE I, IN GENERAL, SECTION 46-5 TO AMEND EXISTING AND
6 ADD NEW DEFINITIONS; CHAPTER 46, ARTICLE IV. DEVELOPMENT
7 STANDARDS, SECTION 46-195, REGARDING LANDSCAPING AND SECTION 46-
8 199(d) REGARDING SCREENING OF OUTDOOR STORAGE; AND CHAPTER 10,
9 SECTION 10-56 (d) TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY; AND
10 PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND REPEALING CONFLICTING
11 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
12
13 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK,
14 TEXAS:
15 I•
16 That Chapter 46, Article I, In General, Section 46-5. Definitions, Code of
17 Ordinances (2010 Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas is hereby amended to add the
18 following new or revised definitions to be placed in their proper alphabetical order in
19 said section:
20 Berm An earthen mound designed to screen views, provide
21 topographic variety and promote visual interest. A berm
22 shall have a minimum height of 36 inches with a
23 maximum side slope of four horizontal feet to one
24 vertical foot.
25
26 Caliper The diameter of a tree to be planted in the ground. The
27 caliper is measured six inches above the root ball for
28 trees that are up to and including four-inch caliper size.
29 For trees that are larger than four-inch caliper,
30 measurement shall be twelve inches above the root ball.
31
32 Critical Root Zone(CRZ) A region measured outward from the trunk of a tree
33 representing the essential area of the roots that must be
34 preserved for the tree's livelihood. The CRZ is measured
35 as one foot of radial distance outward from the trunk for
36 every inch of the tree's diameter, but may not be less
37 than a radius of eight feet.
38
39 Decorative ground cover Assorted aggregate materials that are intended to create
40 decorative, pervious or semi-pervious areas within the
41 landscape. Typical materials used as decorative
42 groundcover are; decomposed granite, crushed granite
43 gravel, river rock, pea gravel, tumbled glass, and bark
44 mulch. Decorative groundcover shall be shown
45 graphically by a delineated boundary of the area to be
46 covered and an associated call-out that includes the
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I name of the material, depth of material and square
2 footage of area to be covered.
3
4 Decorative paving Modular paving or custom finishes and textures for cast-
5 in-place concrete. Modular paving includes but is not
6 limited to brick, tiles, stone, and concrete pavers.
7 Decorative paving for concrete includes textured
8 finishes, integrated color, exposed aggregate, scoring
9 patterns, and stamped patterns.
10
11 Developed Lot A lot that has a fully constructed building or other site
12 improvements, such as parking, whether occupied or
13 not.
14
15 Diameter A form of measurement of an existing tree trunk.
16 Diameter is measured at 4 1/2 feet above the ground
17 level. Trees that split into multi trunks below 4 1/2 feet
18 shall use the sum the largest trunk and one-half of the
19 diameter of each additional trunk measured 4.5 feet
20 above the natural grade level to determine the diameter.
21
22 Drought tolerant turf grasses Turf grass varieties and mixes that have been developed
23 to minimize, once established, the requirements for
24 irrigation, mowing, weeding, and fertilizer in Central
25 Texas landscapes. Drought tolerant turf grasses include
26 species such as Buffalo and Bermuda. St. Augustine is
27 not considered a drought tolerant turf grass.
28
29 Forestry manager The person who oversees the urban forestry program
30 and all aspects of public tree planting, public tree care,
31 and other duties as provided in Chapter 43.
32
33 Improved soils Soil mixture that is intended to sustain plant growth
34 within planted beds, usually a mixture of 1/3 organic
35 compost, 1/3 sandy loam, and 1/3 native soil.
36
37 Landscape architect A person who is licensed and registered to engage in the
38 practice of landscape architecture in the state.
39
40 Ornamental Grasses A large or small shrub.
41
42 Planting ground cover A ground cover consisting of live plant material that is
43 low growing and spreading that is generally maintained
44 at a height of six inches (6") to eighteen inches (18") and
45 is intended to completely cover the area with no bare
46 earth visible between plants when established.
47
48 Protected tree A tree eight inches in diameter or greater, except as
49 otherwise provided in Sec. 43.22. The following species
50 of trees are not included in the definition of protected
51 tree: Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry), Melia azedaragh
52 (China-Berry), Sapium sebiferum (Chinese Tallow),
53 Maclura pomifera (Osabe-orange) and Juniperus ashei
54 (Texas Common Cedar).
55
56 Redevelopment or redeveloping Construction activities that result in a significant
57 modification to a previously developed site. Any one of
2
I the following activities will be considered redevelopment:
2 (1) replacing a previously demolished building with a
3 newly constructed building,
4 (2) demolishing a parking lot and replacing it with a
5 newly constructed parking lot; or
6
7 (3) the removal and replacement of water and
8 wastewater utilities to serve a more intense
9 development.
10
11 Shade Structure Gazebos, arbors, pergolas or similar structures intended
12 as decorative features to provide respite from the sun
13 and partial protection from the elements while still out of
14 doors. Shade structures may include vines that are
15 native or adapted to the Central Texas region.
16
17 Shrub, large A woody ornamental landscape plant whose natural form
18 is generally maintained at a height and spread of more
19 than three feet (3') and is a species that is native or
20 adapted to the Central Texas region.
21
22 Shrub, small A woody ornamental landscape plant whose natural form
23 is generally maintained at a height and spread of three
24 feet(3') or less and is a species that is native or adapted
25 to the Central Texas region.
26
27 Site Furniture Permanently installed commercial grade site features
28 such as benches, tables, trash receptacles, bike racks
29 with a minimum of five spaces, umbrellas, and similar
30 features.
31
32 Site Plan, Small Project A site plan with a limited development scope that does
33 not require a traffic impact analysis, a floodplain
34 analysis, and construction of subdivision improvements,
35 and consists of at least one of the following development
36 activities:
37 (1) the construction on a vacant legal lot or
38 redevelopment of a previously developed legal lot with
39 an area of.5 acres or less,
40 (2) the expansion or addition of not more than 20% of
41 the existing building square footage of a previously
42 developed legal lot,
43 (3) the conversion of a single family or two-family
44 residence to a commercial use,
45 (4)the expansion or addition of a parking lot, or
46 (5) the construction of a temporary building, a Wireless
47 Telecommunication Facility, or an area identification
48 sign.
49
50 Site Plan, Standard A site plan with a complex development scope that
51 requires any of the following:
52 (1)a traffic impact analysis,
53 (2) a floodplain analysis,
54 (3)construction of subdivision improvements,
55 (4) construction on a lot that is larger than .5 acres that
56 is either vacant or being redeveloped, or
57 (5) an expansion or addition of more than 20% of the
3
1 existing building square-footage of a previously
2 developed site.
3
4 Tree A self-supporting, woody perennial plant usually having
5 a single trunk with a diameter of no less than two inches
6 at maturity, measured at one foot above grade, and
7 which normally grows to an overall height of no less than
8 twelve(12)feet in Central Texas.
9
10 Tree, Large Any species of tree that typically reaches a height of 40
11 feet or more upon maturity, and is included in the City's
12 list of approved large species trees as identified in the
13 tree technical manual.
14
15 Tree, Medium Any species of tree that typically reaches a height of 25
16 feet to 40 feet upon maturity, and is included in the City's
17 list of approved medium species trees as identified in the
18 tree technical manual.
19
20 Tree, Small Any species of tree that typically reaches a height of
21 eight feet up to 25 feet upon maturity, and is included in
22 the City's list of approved small species trees as
23 identified in the tree technical manual.
24
25 Tree, Specimen A tree that is of exceptional quality in terms of form,
26 structure, health and general condition, from the City's
27 list of approved species trees in the tree technical
28 manual, or is otherwise approved by the Zoning
29 Administrator. A specimen tree shall have a caliper of at
30 least six inches at the time of planting.
31
32 Tree technical manual The standards and specifications based on generally
33 accepted practices developed by the forestry manager
34 for sound arboricultural practices, techniques and
35 procedures which shall serve as guidelines for trees
36 regulated by this article, including but not limited to tree
37 selection, planting, pruning, alteration, treatment,
38 protection, and removal, as approved by city council,
39 maintained by the city clerk and available through the
40 forestry manager.
41
42 Tree topping The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than
43 three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a
44 degree that removal of the top canopy disfigures and
45 invites disease to the tree.
46
47
48
49 I I.
50 That Chapter 46, Article IV, Development Standards, Section 46-195
51 Landscaping, Code of Ordinances (2010 Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas, is hereby
52 replaced in its entirety and shall read as follows:
4
1
2
3 ARTICLE IV.
4
5 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
6
7 Sec.46-195. Landscaping.
8
9 (a) Purpose.
10
11 The physical appearance of the built environment is an important component of the character,
12 value, and human experience of a community. Landscape treatment and site design function to
13 integrate natural elements into these manmade systems, particularly architectural features and
14 transportation infrastructure. The intent is to make Round Rock a more sustainable and attractive
15 place in which to live, visit and do business.
16
17 Regulations must serve to provide attractive, functional and efficient landscaping, the cost of
18 which is justified by the enhancement of property values and the creation of a sense of place
19 through the cumulative impact of development.
20
21 (b) Intent.
22
23 (1) To ensure that all planting requirements serve not only to benefit the community
24 aesthetically, but also contribute functionally whenever opportunities to do so are
25 presented.
26
27 (2) To utilize planting and landscape elements to mitigate the negative impacts of
28 development by screening unsightly features and buffering incompatible uses.
29
30 (3) To provide incentives for creative subdivision and site design.
31
32 (4) To implement site design and planting requirements that minimize the need for
33 maintenance and the use of limited resources.
34
35 (5) To provide for landscaping regulations that encourage the preservation of protected trees
36 as defined in Chapter 43.
37
38 (c) Applicability. This section shall apply to all land area (public and private) within the zoning
39 jurisdiction of the city and in areas where this section is in effect by contractual agreement.
40
41 (1) Application of landscape requirements. The requirements of this section shall apply to:
42
43 a. All new development or construction on vacant or previously developed land, that
44 requires site plan approval;
45
46 b. Any change of land use that results in redevelopment of a residential use to a
47 nonresidential use;
48
49 C. Any change, conversion, or addition of commercial land uses that result in the
50 requirement for additional parking to be constructed. In this case, the landscape
51 requirements shall apply to only the newly proposed parking area and other
52 areas of the site being modified by development activities; and
53
54 d. Detention ponds and water quality ponds that are part of any development
55 including residential subdivisions. Common development that encompasses
5
I more than one lot shall be treated as one for the purposes of application of this
2 section. Split ownership, planning in phases, construction in stages, or multiple
3 building permits for a project shall not prevent it from being considered a
4 common development, provided that a comprehensive site plan is submitted for
5 all portions of the development being considered as a common development.
6
7 (2) Exemption from landscape requirements. The requirements of this section specifically
8 shall not apply to the following:
9
10 a. One detached single-family residence constructed on its own lot;
11
12 b. A two unit, single-family attached structure with each dwelling unit constructed on
13 its own lot;
14
15 C. Restoration of a building or structure which has been damaged, destroyed or
16 demolished to an extent less than 50 percent of its fair market value (as
17 determined by the most recent appraised value of the appraisal district in which
18 the building or structure is located);
19
20 d. Exterior or interior restoration of a designated historic structure;
21
22 e. Medians in street rights-of-way;
23
24 f. Ground-mounted equipment located in street rights-of-way.
25
26 (d) Landscape Plans. The submittal of landscape plans shall be required with the following:
27
28 (1) Standard Site Plan. Landscape requirements identified in this section and in the format
29 specified by the Development Packet necessary to obtain a Standard Site Plan approval
30 shall be depicted on a Landscape Plan. This Landscape Plan shall be signed and sealed
31 by a Landscape Architect.
32
33 (2) Small Project Site Plan. Landscape requirements identified in this section and in the
34 format specified by the Development Packet necessary to obtain a Small Project Site
35 Plan approval shall be depicted on a Site or Landscape Plan. If the plan includes ten or
36 more trees, the plan shall be signed and sealed by a Landscape Architect. If the plan
37 includes less than ten trees, the plan shall be signed and sealed by a Landscape
38 Architect, Professional Engineer, Landscape Design Professional, Licensed Nurseryman,
39 or Urban Forester.
40
41 (e) General planting requirements.
42
43 (1) The planting specifications and standards included in the tree technical manual are
44 applicable unless otherwise stated herein.
45
46 (2) All trees shall be planted in a pervious area no less than four feet (4') wide in any
47 direction measured from the center of the tree, unless otherwise stated herein.
48
49 (3) No more than fifty percent (50%) of the required trees and shrubs shall be of the same
50 species without the approval of the Zoning Administrator. Such approval may only be
51 granted in order to achieve a specific design intent of the Landscape Architect.
52
53 (4) Improved Soils shall be provided in all required landscape areas to a depth of at least
54 three inches (Y).
55
56 (5) All landscaping shall be separated from vehicular use areas by some form of barrier such
57 as raised concrete curbing, bollards, curb stops, or other suitable permanent alternative.
6
1
2 (6) All landscape beds shall be separated from sod areas by some form of barrier such as
3 steel edging, masonry materials, or another equivalent durable material as approved by
4 the Zoning Administrator. No plastic materials shall be allowed. Provided however, the
5 barriers may be designed in such a way to capture, filter, reuse or infiltrate rainwater with
6 the purpose of protecting and conserving water resources.
7
8 (7) Landscaping shall not obstruct the view between access drives and parking aisles.
9
10 (8) Nothing shall be erected, placed, allowed to grow, or planted so that it impedes vision
11 between the height of three feet and ten feet above the curb within a Sight Triangle.
12
13 (9) No artificial plant material may be used in any form to satisfy the requirements of this
14 section.
15
16 (10) Berms shall not encroach upon the critical root zones of existing trees, as regulated by
17 Chapter 43, Tree Protection and Preservation.
18
19 (10) Wherever sod or turf grass is used, such grass shall be of a drought tolerant species.
20
21 (12) Any landscaping placed in utility easements shall not be counted towards the minimum
22 landscaping requirements.
23
24 (13) Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, the Zoning Administrator
25 may allow large trees to be placed closer to a building in order to achieve an urban
26 streetscape.
27
28 (f) Interior parking lot landscape requirements by Zoning District.
29
30 (1) OF(Office), C-2(Local Commercial), C-1a (General Commercial—Limited), C-1 (General
31 Commercial), LI(Light Industrial), and MF(Multi-Family)Zoning Districts.
32
33 a. Large trees shall be provided in parking areas. The construction of off-street
34 parking areas requires the planting of one (1) large tree per ten (10) new parking
35 spaces, or portion thereof. Each tree shall be planted in an island so that there
36 are no more than ten (10) contiguous parking spaces between islands, except as
37 otherwise provided herein.
38
39 b. End islands shall be provided at the terminus of each parking bay, Interrupting
40 islands shall be provided within each parking bay as required herein. End islands
41 and interrupting islands shall have a minimum width of nine feet (9') from face of
42 curb to face of curb. Head-to-head parking bays shall include two (2) such end
43 islands.
44
45 C. In a row of parking immediately adjacent to a perimeter parking lot landscape
46 area, required interrupting islands may be eliminated by planting two (2)
47 additional large trees in the landscape area for each interrupting island so
48 eliminated.
49
50 d. A median island with a minimum width of nine (9) feet, from face of curb to face
51 of curb, shall be required between every six (6) single parking bays and along
52 primary internal and external access drives. Medium or large trees shall be
53 planted at a rate of one (1) per each fifty (50) linear feet or fraction thereof.
54 Median island intervals may be expanded in order to preserve existing trees,
55 provided an alternative median location has been approved by the Zoning
56 Administrator.
57
7
I e. Other plant materials may be substituted for a large tree between the building
2 and the first drive aisle as per the foundation landscape requirements provided in
3 Section 46-195 (h) below. Specifically, plant materials totaling 30 Foundation
4 Treatment Points as set out in the table in (h)(1) c. below shall be required for
5 each large tree to be substituted.
6
7 f. The preservation of existing healthy trees of a protected species, as set forth in
8 the definition of "protected tree" in Chapter 43, may be used as credits towards
9 the landscaping required by this subsection. These credits may not be used to
10 replace an end island or median island tree unless the preserved tree is located
11 within the required end island or median island. Each preserved tree is credited
12 towards the adjacent ten (10), twenty (20), or thirty (30) parking spaces,
13 accordingly:
14
15 1. Each healthy large tree with a diameter of at least four inches (4") but
16 less than eight inches (8") within ten feet (10') of a parking area will be
17 counted as a credit towards one (1) required parking lot tree.
18
19 2. Each healthy protected large tree with a diameter of eight inches (8") to
20 twenty inches (20") preserved within fifteen feet (15') of a parking area
21 will be counted as a credit towards two(2) required parking lot trees.
22
23 3. Each healthy protected large tree with a diameter of more than twenty
24 inches (20") preserved within twenty feet (20) of a parking area will be
25 counted as a credit towards three (3) required parking lot trees.
26
27 g. The area within islands and medians shall not include sod or turf grass, and shall
28 not include more than fifty percent (50%) decorative ground cover material,
29 unless approved by the Zoning Administrator. The remainder of the area shall
30 consist of planting ground cover.
31
32 h. Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, large trees
33 required to meet the tree island requirements may be planted closer than thirty
34 (30)feet from a building, but in no event closer than twelve (12)from a building.
35
36 (2) 1(Industrial)Zoning District.
37
38 a. End islands shall be provided at the terminus of each parking bay, End islands
39 shall have a minimum width of nine feet (9') from face of curb to face of curb.
40 Head-to-head parking bays shall include two (2) such end islands. A large tree
41 shall be planted in each end island.
42
43 b. The area within islands and medians shall not include sod or turf grass, and shall
44 not include more than fifty percent (50%) decorative ground cover material,
45 unless approved by the Zoning Administrator. The remainder of the area shall
46 consist of planting ground cover.
47
48 C. Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, large trees
49 required to meet the tree island requirements may be planted closer than thirty
50 (30)feet from a building, but in no event closer than twelve(12)from a building.
51
52 (g) Parking Lot Landscaping along Public Streets by Zoning District.
53
54 (1) OF(Office), C-2(Local Commercial), C-1a (General Commercial—Limited), C-1 (General
55 Commercial), LI(Light Industrial), and MF(Multi-Family)Zoning Districts
56
8
I a. Landscaping shall be provided between parking areas and all public streets in an
2 eight-foot (8') wide linear landscaped area. The minimum landscaping required
3 for this purpose shall be based on the measured linear footage of parking
4 including vehicular circulation routes that extend along the length of the property
5 line (excluding ingress/egress to the public road) adjacent to the public right-of-
6 way.
7
8 b. The required minimum quantity of landscaping is as follows:
9
10 1. One (1) large tree or two small trees per forty (40) linear feet, or fraction
11 thereof;
12
13 2. One(1)small tree per sixty(60) linear feet, or fraction thereof; and
14
15 3. One (1) large shrub, small shrub, or ornamental grass per four (4) linear
16 feet, or fraction thereof. Any combination of the foregoing is acceptable.
17
18 C. There shall be no gap between required landscaping exceeding twenty-five
19 percent (25%) of the length of the landscaped area, unless approved by the
20 Zoning Administrator.
21
22 d. Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, small trees may
23 be grouped no closer than (12) feet apart and large tree may be grouped no
24 closer than thirty (30) feet apart for the purpose of meeting the requirements of
25 this subsection (g).
26
27 e. If there are overhead utilities above the landscape area, then the required large
28 and/or small trees may be placed in end islands or interrupting islands within the
29 first row of parking adjacent to the public street. Such islands shall have a
30 minimum width of nine feet (9') from face of curb to face of curb. In addition, the
31 owner shall the option of reducing the eight-foot (8') wide linear landscaped area
32 described in a. above to a four-foot(4')wide area to accommodate only shrubs.
33
34 f. The area within islands and medians shall not include sod or turf grass, and shall
35 not include more than fifty percent (50%) decorative ground cover material,
36 unless approved by the Zoning Administrator. The remainder of the area shall
37 consist of planting ground cover.
38
39 (2) 1(Industrial)Zoning District.
40
41 a. Landscaping shall be provided between parking areas and all public streets in an
42 eight-foot (8') wide linear landscaped area. The minimum landscaping required
43 for this purpose shall be based on the measured linear footage of parking
44 including vehicular circulation routes that extend along the length of the property
45 line (excluding ingress/egress to the public road) adjacent to the public right-of-
46 way.
47
48 b. The required minimum quantity of landscaping is as follows:
49
50 1. One (1) large or medium tree per forty (40) linear feet (75 percent of the
51 these trees shall be of a large tree);
52
53 2. One(1) small tree per thirty(30) linear feet; and
54
55 3. One(1) large shrub per eight(8) linear feet.
56
9
I C. Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, small trees may
2 be grouped no closer than (12) feet apart and large tree may be grouped no
3 closer than thirty (30) feet apart for the purpose of meeting the requirements of
4 this subsection (g).
5
6 d. If there are overhead utilities above the landscape area, then the required large
7 trees may be placed in end islands or interrupting islands within the first row of
8 parking adjacent to the public street. Such islands shall have a minimum width of
9 nine (9) feet from face of curb to face of curb. In addition, the owner shall the
10 option of reducing the eight-foot (8') wide linear landscaped area described in a.
11 above to a four-foot(4')wide area to accommodate only shrubs.
12
13 (3) MU-1a (Mixed Use Southwest Downtown)Zoning District.
14
15 a. Landscaping shall be provided between parking areas and all public streets. The
16 required planting area shall have a minimum width of six feet (6') and shall be
17 free of utilities, sidewalks, obstructions and easements. The minimum
18 landscaping required for this purpose shall be based on the measured linear
19 footage that extends along the length of the property line (excluding driveways)
20 adjacent to the public right-of-way. The required minimum quantity of
21 landscaping is as follows:
22
23 1 One (1) small tree per twenty (20) linear feet or one (1) medium tree
24 every forty(40) linear feet;
25
26 2. One (1) large shrub per four (4) linear feet, which may be grouped to
27 encourage strategic views into the site; and
28
29 3. A three-foot (3') high fence constructed of wrought iron or similar
30 material, as approved by the Zoning Administrator; or an additional large
31 shrub per four(4) linear feet.
32
33 (h) Foundation Treatment by Zoning District.
34
35 (1) OF(Office), C-2 (Local Commercial), C-1a (General Commercial—Limited), C-1 (General
36 Commercial), and LI(Light Industrial), Zoninq Districts
37
38 a. The purpose of this subsection (h) is to outline requirements for the treatment of
39 landscape areas adjacent to buildings in the OF (Office), C-2 (Local
40 Commercial), C-1 a (General Commercial — Limited), C-1 (General Commercial),
41 and LI (Light Industrial), Zoning Districts. The intent of this section is to allow a
42 variety of landscape treatments in order to achieve particular design goals, e.g.
43 increased building visibility, view corridors to signage, and highlighting special
44 architectural features. Minimum requirements are determined based on the
45 arrangement of parking in the street yard and vary according to the site plan
46 layout. A minimum number of Foundation Treatment Points (FTP's) must be
47 provided based on the site layout and the categories set forth in b. below.
48 Notwithstanding the requirements of the tree technical manual, large trees
49 required to meet the foundation treatment requirements may be planted closer
50 than thirty (30) feet to a building, but in no event closer than twelve (12) from a
51 building.
52
53 b. Foundation Treatment Points(FTP)determination by category.
54
55 1. Category 1 - Building with three or more single parking bays in the street
56 yard.
10
I For Category 1 site plans, FTP requirements are determined by
2 multiplying the linear footage of the building's street-facing fagades by a
3 factor of four (4). For example, a Category 1 building with one-hundred
4 (100) linear feet of street-facing fagade requires 400 FTPs (100 x 4 =
5 400).
6
7 2. Category 2 - Building with one or two single parking bays in the street
8 yard.
9 For Category 2 site plans, FTP requirements are determined by
10 multiplying the linear footage of the building's street-facing fagades by a
11 factor of three (3). For example, a Category 2 building with one-hundred
12 (100) linear feet of street-facing fagade requires three hundred (300)
13 FTPs. (100 x 3= 300)
14
15 3. Category 3- Buildings with no parking in the street yard.
16 For Category 3 site plans, FTP requirements are determined by
17 multiplying the linear footage of the building's street-facing facades by a
18 factor of two (2). For example, a Category 3 building with one hundred
19 (100) linear feet of street-facing fagade requires two hundred (200)
20 FTPs. (100 x 2 = 200)
21
22 C. Foundation Treatment Point Credits.
23
24 The number of required FTP's shall be achieved by providing a combination of
25 no less than three (3) of the following elements contained in the table below to be
26 located between the building and the first drive aisle. Additional elements may be
27 considered and a point value will be established by the Zoning Administrator on a
28 case by case basis.
29
30
Landscape Feature Points Credited
Specimen tree 60
Medium or Large tree 30
Ornamental tree 15
Large shrub 5
Small Shrub 3
Groundcover planting 2 (per sq. ft.
Groundcover—decorative 1 (per sq. ft.
Perennials and annuals 0.5 (per sq. ft.
Permanently Irrigated 5 (per sq. ft.)
Container Plantings
Decorative paving 2.5 (per sq. ft.
Shade structure 30
Shade structure with vines 33
Site furniture 30
Bike rack 20
Trash receptacle 20
31
32 (i) Screening.
33
34 (1) The purpose of this subsection (i) is to establish requirements to screen specific uses or
35 structures from public view. All landscape material required in this subsection shall be
36 provided in an eight-foot (8') wide linear landscaped area unencumbered by easements.
37 Buffers shall provide a visual barrier between land uses, enhance the streetscape, and
38 provide privacy. The spacing requirements between trees in the tree technical manual
39 shall not apply to this subsection. Compliance with this subsection requires that all
40 detention ponds, water quality ponds, ground-mounted equipment (i.e., transformers, air
11
I conditioner units), dumpsters, trash receptacles, refuse storage containers, outdoor
2 storage, loading docks, substations, large utility cabinets, water and wastewater pumping
3 stations, storage sites, and other similar uses be sufficiently screened. Required
4 landscape material shall be located to maximize the screening of these facilities.
5
6
7 (2) All proposed detention and water quality facilities shall be screened from public view by
8 means of the following landscape elements:
9
10 a. Water Quality Ponds/Detention Ponds with Structured Walls.
11
12 1. One (1) medium tree shall be planted for every forty (40) linear feet or
13 portion thereof around the boundary of the pond;
14
15 2. One (1) small tree shall be planted for every thirty (30) linear feet portion
16 thereof around the boundary of the pond; and
17
18 3. One (1) large shrub shall be planted for every eight (8) linear feet or
19 portion thereof around the boundary of the pond;
20
21 or
22
23 4. The foregoing tree and shrub requirements may be eliminated and
24 replaced with the following:
25
26 (i) The exterior walls of the pond shall be clad with limestone and/or
27 other textured design features; and
28
29 (ii) If a chain link fence is utilized, a native/adapted vine in at least a
30 five (5) gallon container shall be planted for every eight(8) linear
31 feet of fence.
32
33 b. Water Quality Ponds/ Detention Ponds with earthen berms shall be planted with
34 one (1) large tree for every forty (40) linear feet around the boundary of a non-
35 structured detention/retention pond.
36
37 (3) Dumpster and trash receptacles. All dumpsters, trash receptacles, and refuse storage
38 containers shall be located within an enclosure providing screening by means of one or
39 both of the following landscape elements:
40
41 a. A decorative masonry wall (minimum six feet (6') in height) on three sides and a
42 gate on the fourth side. The gate shall be constructed with an opaque non-
43 masonry material. The construction materials of the wall shall match material
44 used on the principal building located on the same lot.
45
46 b. Small shrubs shall be arranged as foundation planting around the perimeter of
47 the pad area except the side where the gate is located. One (1) small shrub shall
48 be planted at each end of and every three (3) linear feet in a three-foot (3') wide
49 landscape area. The landscape requirements of this subsubsection do not apply
50 when the enclosure is an architectural extension of a principal building.
51
52 (4) Ground-mounted equipment. All proposed ground-mounted equipment shall be screened
53 by the planting of one (1) large shrub every four(4) linear feet around the boundary of the
54 equipment.
55
56 (5) Substations, water/wastewater stations. Proposed electric substations, water pump
57 stations and wastewater lift stations shall be screened from public views by means of a
12
1 six-foot (6') decorative masonry wall on a minimum of three sides. Standard concrete
2 masonry units are prohibited. The following landscape elements shall be incorporated:
3
4 a. An eight foot (8') wide landscape area with one (1) small evergreen tree per
5 twelve (12) linear feet; provided that said trees shall be planted no closer than
6 eight(8)feet and no more than sixteen (16)feet apart; or
7
8 b. A five foot (6) wide landscape area with one large shrub for every four (4) linear
9 feet; provided that said shrubs shall be planted no closer than six(6)feet apart.
10
11 (6) Outdoor storage. All outdoor storage shall be screened in accordance with the
12 requirements of Section 46-199. In addition, outdoor storage shall be screened as
13 follows:
14
15 a. Limited outdoor storage.
16
17 1. An eight foot (8') wide landscape area with one (1) small evergreen tree
18 per twelve linear feet (12') of wall constructed; provided that said trees
19 shall be planted no closer than eight (8) feet and no farther than sixteen
20 (16)feet apart; or
21
22 2. A five foot (5') wide landscape area with one (1) large shrub for every
23 four (4) linear feet; provided that said shrubs shall be planted no closer
24 than (6)feet apart.
25
26 b. General outdoor storage.
27
28 An eight foot (8') wide landscape area with one (1) small evergreen tree per
29 fifteen linear feet (15') and one (1) large evergreen tree per thirty linear feet(30')
30 of wall constructed; provided that said trees shall be planted no more than fifteen
31 (15)feet apart.
32
33 (7) Loading areas. All loading areas visible from public view shall be screened by means of
34 the following screening and landscaping elements:
35
36 a. Decorative masonry wall (minimum six feet (6') in height). If the wall includes a
37 gate, it shall be constructed with an opaque non-masonry material. The
38 construction materials of the wall shall match material used on the principal
39 building located on the same lot;
40
41 b. One (1) medium or large tree per forty linear feet (40') of wall constructed
42 (seventy-five percent(75%) of selected trees shall be of an evergreen species);
43
44 C. One (1) small tree per fifteen linear feet (15') of wall constructed (seventy-five
45 percent (75%) of selected trees shall be of an evergreen species); provided that
46 said trees shall be planted no more than fifteen (15)feet apart; and
47
48 d. One (1) large shrub per four linear feet(4') of wall constructed; provided that said
49 shrubs shall be planted no more than six(6)feet apart.
50
51 (j) Additional Street Yard Landscaping Requirements
52
53 (1) The purpose of this subsection 0) is to establish additional minimum landscaping
54 requirements for relatively large undeveloped areas within street yards. The additional
55 landscaping requirements do not apply to any portion of a street yard which is within the
56 following:
57
13
I a. the parking lot areas described in subsection (f)above;
2
3 b. the eight foot(8')wide landscaped area described in subsection (g) (1) a. and in
4 subsection (g) (2)a. above;
5
6 C. the foundation treatment area described in subsection (h) above; and
7
8 d. any area subject to a public or private utility easement.
9
10 In addition, these requirements apply to only that portion of the street yard which is
11 outside of the foregoing, but is within sixteen (16) feet of the eight (8) foot landscaped
12 area described in subsection (g) (1)a. and in subsection (g) (2) a. above.
13
14 (2) For every 2,000 square feet, or fraction thereof, of the street yard subject to these
15 requirements, additional landscaping shall be required as follows:
16
17 a. one(1) large tree with a minimum caliper of three (3) inches; and
18
19 b. two(2) small trees with a minimum caliper of one (1) inch.
20
21 (k) Irrigation
22
23 (1) Underground Automatic System. All required landscape areas shall be irrigated by an
24 underground automatic system that may include a drip irrigation system. This system
25 shall adhere to manufacturer specifications and the rules and regulations established by
26 TCEQ or successor agency. In addition, an irrigation system must be designed by a
27 landscape architect or irrigator licensed by the state. An irrigation system shall comply
28 with the following:
29
30 a. Sprinkler head spacing shall be designed for head-to-head coverage and
31 adjusted for prevailing winds. The system shall promote minimum runoff and
32 minimum over spray onto non-irrigated areas(i.e., paving, walkway, buildings).
33
34 b. Sprinkler heads shall have matched precipitation rates within each control valve
35 circuit.
36
37 C. Adjustable flow controls shall be required on circuit remote control valves.
38 Pressure regulation components shall be required where static pressure exceeds
39 manufacturer's recommended operating range.
40
41 d. Valves and circuits shall be separated based on water use requirements, so that
42 turf areas can be watered separately from shrubs, trees, and groundcover areas.
43 A minimum of one bubbler each shall be provided for all large and medium size
44 trees.
45
46 e. Serviceable check valves shall be required where elevation differential may
47 cause low head drainage adjacent to paving areas.
48
49 f. All automatic irrigation systems shall be equipped with an electronic controller
50 capable of dual or multiple programming. Controller(s) shall have multiple cycle
51 start capacity and a flexible calendar program, including the capability of being
52 set to water every five days.
53
54 g. All automatic irrigation systems shall be equipped with a rain and freeze sensor
55 shut-off device.
56
57 (1) Alternative Compliance.
14
1
2 (1) In cases where a particular site opportunity exists; a creative design has been proposed;
3 or where there is an unusual site encumbrance, an application for an alternative
4 landscape plan which does not strictly comply to the standards of this section may be
5 submitted for approval to the Zoning Administrator. If the Zoning Administrator denies the
6 application for the alternative plan, the applicant may, within 15 business days after
7 receipt of notice of such denial, appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals
8 (ZBA).
9
10 (2) An application for alternate compliance must include a letter stating how the plan meets
11 the purpose and intent of the Code and the details of the methods used to meet such
12 intent. In addition, a comparison detailing the landscape elements required to satisfy strict
13 compliance versus the alternative plan must be provided.
14
15 (3) In rendering a decision on an alternate compliance plan, the Zoning Administrator shall
16 consider appropriate circumstances including, but not limited to:
17
18 a. Does the plan result in a creative arrangement of new large or medium trees;
19
20 b. Does the plan maximize water conservation;
21
22 C. Does the plan minimize the removal of existing trees or alteration of other
23 significant natural features, such as rock outcroppings, floodplain or waterways;
24
25 d. Is the plan contextually comparable to surrounding developments in the
26 immediate area; and
27
28 e. Is the site encumbered by easements that prohibit placement of landscaping as
29 required by this Section?
30
31 (m) Implementation.
32
33 (1) Inspection. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the project, a
34 landscape architect, or the identified professional as determined for small project site
35 plans, shall inspect each site and certify on the appropriate city form that the site meets
36 the requirements of this section and conforms to the approved site plan and/or landscape
37 plan. Upon receipt of the certification, the Zoning Administrator shall verify that all
38 requirements have been met.
39
40 (2) Certificates of occupancy.
41
42 a. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the developer/owner shall
43 either have completed the installation of all required landscaping or shall file with
44 the Zoning Administrator fiscal security (by bond, certificate of deposit, letter of
45 credit or cash security) satisfactory to the city, in the amount of a contractor's
46 estimate using current market prices for materials and installation of the required
47 landscaping plus a twenty percent (20%) contingency. The contractor's estimate
48 shall be subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
49
50 b. Any developer/owner wishing to file fiscal security must also grant license to the
51 city to enter upon the land for the purposes of installing the required landscaping
52 in the event of nonperformance.
53
54 C. Except as provided in paragraph d. below, all required landscaping must be
55 installed or planted no later than forty-five (45) days from the issuance of a
56 Certificate of Occupancy unless otherwise approved in writing by the City.
57
15
I d. In the event that mandatory water restrictions have been implemented by the City
2 Council or City Manager in accordance with Sec. 44-233, the developer/owner
3 shall comply with the applicable restrictions and regulations contained therein.
4
5 (3) Maintenance.
6
7 a. All required landscaping, irrigation systems, fences, walls, berms, vegetation and
8 other landscape components shall be maintained by the owner or agent in a
9 healthy, safe and operating condition.
10
11 b. Maintenance practices shall consist of all regular and normal maintenance
12 operations of landscaping including, but not limited to, weeding, irrigation,
13 fertilizing, pruning, mowing and litter pick-up. Plant material that exhibits severe
14 levels of insect or pest infestation, disease and/or damage, shall be appropriately
15 treated, and all dead plant material shall be removed and replaced with living
16 plant material where required according to the city approved plan for the site.
17
18 C. Street right-of-way between a property line and curb or street pavement adjoining
19 the property shall be maintained by the adjacent landowner.
20
21 d. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to maintain and properly irrigate all
22 landscaping required by this section. Failure to replace dead or diseased plant
23 material within thirty (30) days of written notification by the city shall constitute a
24 violation of the zoning ordinance.
25
26 e. It shall be unlawful for any person to damage required landscaping through tree
27 topping, over-pruning or chemical poisoning. It shall be an affirmative defense
28 that a maintenance/pruning plan was approved by the Zoning Administrator and
29 that the work was performed in compliance with said approved plan. In the event
30 that required landscaping has been so severely damaged due to tree topping,
31 over-pruning or chemical poisoning that it has died, the developer/owner shall
32 replace the landscaping within forty-five(45) days of written notice from the City.
33
34
35 III.
36
37 That Chapter 46, Section 46-199 (d), Code of Ordinances (2010 Edition), City of
38 Round Rock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows:
39 (d) Additional outdoor display and storage requirements.
40
41 (1) Required to show on-site plan. All limited outdoor storage and general outdoor storage
42 areas shall be clearly shown on the site plan submitted for the property.
43
44 (2) Right-of-way. Unless specifically authorized elsewhere in the city's ordinances, all
45 outdoor storage and display shall be located outside the public right-of-way.
46
47 (3) Landscaping requirements. Outdoor storage shall meet the applicable screening
48 requirements of Section 146-195 (i) (6).
49
50
16
I IV.
2
3 That Chapter 10, Section 10-56 (d) Temporary certificate of occupancy, Code of
4 Ordinances (2010 Edition), City of Round Rock, Texas, is hereby amended to read as
5 follows:
6 (d) Temporary certificate of occupancy.
7
8 (1) A temporary certificate of occupancy shall not be issued for single-family and two-family
9 occupancies.
10
11 (2) For all occupancies other than single-family and two-family occupancies, a temporary
12 certificate of occupancy may be considered for issuance by the building official where all
13 of the following conditions are met:
14
15 a. Site construction is substantially complete in conformance with approved plans;
16
17 b. Any incomplete improvements are not related to the Americans with Disabilities
18 Act(ADA) barrier free compliance requirements;
19
20 C. The building official determines that such building or structure or portion thereof
21 may be occupied and used safely;
22
23 d. Any site improvements not completed are minor in nature and are related to
24 , paving, utility adjustments, or similar features;
25
26 e. A placement/completion schedule is submitted and approved by the city;
27
28 f. A performance guarantee, letter of credit or other form of financial assurance, in
29 a form acceptable to the city attorney, which is equal to 120 percent of the cost of
30 all incomplete site improvements listed in paragraph d. above, as estimated by
31 the developer or owner and concurred with by the building official, is submitted
32 with the application for a temporary certificate of occupancy;
33
34 g. The city's fire marshal has concurred with the issuance of the temporary
35 certificate of occupancy; and
36
37 h. The water and wastewater systems serving the building or structure and the
38 water system providing fire protection to the building or structure have been
39 completed, tested and are fully operational.
40
41 (3) Temporary certificates of occupancy shall not be issued in the event that landscaping is
42 not completed. If the owner wishes to occupy a building for which the landscaping
43 requirement has not been completed, the owner shall comply with Chapter 46, Article IV,
44 Sec. 46-195 (m)(2).
45
46
47 (34) Temporary certificates of occupancy shall be valid for a period of time determined by the
48 building official, but not to exceed 60 days. Said period shall be based upon a reasonable
49 estimate of the time necessary to complete all remaining improvements and to satisfy all
50 remaining requirements.
51
52 (45) When circumstances beyond the control of the owner or developer warrant, the building
53 official may grant an extension of the temporary certificate of occupancy for one
17
I additional period of time not to exceed 60 days. Any further extension of a temporary
2 certificate of occupancy requires the approval of the city council.
3
4 (66) The building official shall maintain a record of all temporary certificates of occupancy.
5
6
7 V.
8
9 A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in conflict herewith are
10 expressly repealed.
11 B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance shall not
12 invalidate other sections or provisions thereof.
13 C. The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice of the date,
14 hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this Ordinance was adopted was posted
15 and that such meeting was open to the public as required by law at all times during
16 which this Ordinance and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered and
17 formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas
18 Government Code, as amended.
19 Alternative 1.
20 By motion duly made, seconded and passed with an affirmative vote of all the
21 Council members present, the requirement for reading this ordinance on two separate
22 days was dispensed with.
23 READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED on first reading this day of
24 a 1 , 2012.
25 Alternative 2.
26 READ and APPROVED on first reading this the day of
27
28
18
1 READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the day of
2 , 2012.
3
4 I ' l
s A N MCGRAW, Mayor
6 City of Round Rock, Texas
s ATTEST:
9 •
10 `
11 SARA L. WHITE, City Clerk
19
one (1) medium or large species tree required per 50 I.ft.±within medians
50 ft. ical) 50 ft. (typical)
9-ft landscaped median
required every 6 parking
bays and adjacent to all
primary internal and
+ 9 ft min. —}— —�— external drive aisles
00,
%Maio 19 F--/qb
i
+
9 ft from face of curb to face of curb
required at terminus of each parking bay. 9 ft min.
shall have two (2)trees
head-to-head islands one large species tree required per end island.
shaded area constitutes a single parking bay
AW
OF or AffF
+ J LOP
a
_ Z _ --f—
= g
= AF
P' Ar
r
— I .dam'
- AF = Fr ff AP- F Aar
-
+ +
no more than ten (10)contiguous parking spaces without an interrupting
island Marge species tree (interval may be adjusted to save existing trees)
rn�
'ROUND ROCK,TEXAS City Council Agenda Summary Sheet
PURPQSE KSIOR ROSM rrx
Agenda Item No. 8133.
Consider public testimony and an ordinance amending Chapter 46, Zoning, Code of
Ordinances (2010 Edition), regarding landscaping regulations and Chapter 10 regarding
Agenda Caption: landscaping and temporary certificates of occupancy. (First Reading)
Meeting Date: March 8, 2012
Department: Planning and Development Services
Staff Person making presentation: Peter Wysocki
Planning and Development Services Director
Item Summary:
The proposed new Landscape Ordinance replaces the existing landscaping regulations set forth by the Code of
Ordinances. The new Landscape Ordinance is applicable to commercial, industrial and multi-family developments.
(Single-family standards are not part of this Ordinance). The impetus for this amendment is as follows: address
concerns raised in the 2009 Development Survey; align with the City's Development Philosophy; the need for
periodic ordinance evaluation and improvement; address changing development patterns; water conservation; and
improve development quality.
This amendment process began in late 2010. Staff from Planning & Development Services, Parks & Recreation, and
Utilities, as well as local landscape architects met to identify areas of improvement. An open house was held on
May 9, 2011. This public meeting gave the community an opportunity to identify desirable landscaping on
development sites. Each HOA and city utility customer received a mailed notification and invite to the open house.
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was then assembled to guide the amendments. The TAC consisted of a civil
engineer, architect, forester, realtor, developer, three landscape architects, and staff. The TAC met on seven
different occasions. The Planning & Zoning Commission discussed the Ordinance at two retreats, two public
hearings, and at a joint meeting with the City Council on November 17, 2011. The public was also invited to
comment on the draft Ordinance via a notification mailed with December utility bills - public response was very
minimal. The staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission considered all public comments, and some minor
changes were made to the draft Ordinance. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the new Landscape Ordinance at their February 15, 2012 Special Called meeting. If approved by the
Council,the new standards would apply to all new projects filed after the effective date of the Ordinance. However,
applicants that have pending development applications can voluntarily comply with the new standards.
Cost: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A
Date of Public Hearing(if required): March 8, 2012
Recommended Action: Approval