Agenda Item Title:
Title
Proposed Amendments Related to Water Efficient Landscaping Standards:
Amend Title 21, Chapter 25, Landscaping Standards, and Chapter 37, Definitions, of the Sandy Municipal Code
Amend portions of the Sandy City Standard Specifications and Details for Municipal Construction
Body
Presenter:
Melissa Anderson
Body
Description/Background:
On behalf of Sandy City, the Public Utilities Department is proposing amendments to Title 21, Chapter 25, Landscaping Standards, and Chapter 37, Definitions, of the Sandy Municipal Code and portions of the Sandy City Standard Specifications & Details for Municipal Construction. These amendments have been reviewed by an interdepartmental team consisting of the Public Utilities, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works Departments. The purpose of these amendments is to strengthen current landscaping requirements and incorporate new ones that will bring the city’s codes in line with more water efficient landscaping standards. See the attached staff report for further details.
On November 3, 2022, the Planning Commission recommended the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Land Development Code and the Sandy City Standard Specifications and Details for Municipal Construction. The Planning Commission recommended approval with the following amendments to Title 21, Chapter 25, Landscaping Standards:
• As originally proposed, bark mulch is not allowed in parkstrips in new developments because it prevents dispersing by wind, traffic or runoff into waterways causing water quality and flooding issues downstream. To allow bark mulch in parkstrips while mitigating negative impacts to the stormwater drainage system, the Planning Commission recommends adding the following language to the standards for Mulch in Parkstrips: "In new development, bark mulch is prohibited, unless a two-foot-wide buffer of rock mulch abutting the curb is provided."
• The following language is added to the standards for Mulch: "Non-porous material shall not be placed under the mulch. A porous weed barrier fabric may be used under the mulch."
• An exception is provided to front yard landscaping requirements on commercial projects when the Cairns Design Standards or Storefront Conservation Overlay zone applies to the property.
• For developer installed landscaping, “Landscape Designer” is replaced with “Landscape Architect.” Please note that a landscape architect is not required for homeowner installed landscaping.
Further action to be taken:
This item will be brought back to the City Council to vote on the proposed ordinance on December 6, 2022.
Recommended Action and/or Suggested Motion:
Recommendation
No action is required at this time. This is a work session item only.