Item 10ACITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
December 1, 2011
To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From: Ken Baker, Director of Planning and Development Services
IDA
Subject: Discuss a mitigation /replacement policy for commercial and residential
properties with landscape requirements.
Action
Requested: As a result of the prolonged drought and extreme heat the staff is
requesting that City Council consider providing property owners
flexibility on the replacement of tree and landscaping material lost
this summer.
Background
Information: Texas climatologist have recently stated the ongoing dry spell is the
worst one year drought since Texas rainfall data started being
recorded in 1895. The majority of the state has earned the highest
rating of "exceptional drought" and the remaining areas in the state
are not far behind with "extreme" or "severe" ratings by the U.S.
Drought Monitor. So far this year the Southlake area (D1=W airport)
has only received 21.5 inches of rain which is over one foot below
normal.
The National Weather Service predicts that the below normal
precipitation trend will occur into the winter months.
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City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Shana Yeiverton, City Manager
Meeting Date — December 1, 2011
Page 2 of 3
In addition to the drought the (National Weather Service
officially declared 2011 as the hottest summer on record for the
Dallas -Fort Worth area. "Summer" is defined here as
meteorological summer for record keeping purposes, June 1 to
August 31. The summer of 2011 had a daily average high of 101.2
degrees and an average an average low of 79.7 degrees.
As a result of the extreme heat and drought, the City of Southlake
instituted Stage I watering restrictions on July 25 of this year.
Stage I restrictions limit lawn and landscape watering with a
sprinkler system to twice a week and must be done before 10 am
or after 6 pm any day of the week.
The heat and drought has had a major impact on trees, shrubs and
other landscapes throughout the City. Stressed and dying trees
and shrubs can be spotted throughout the town in both landscaped
and natural areas.
Most commercial areas in town and some neighborhoods have
buffer yard and landscaping requirements. These landscaping
requirements stipulate the plant materials must remain in
perpetuity.
Each fall the PDS department conducts a Landscape Inspection
on commercial and HOA properties that have planting
requirements tied to the zoning approval. In typical years, property
owners are notified if a deficiency exists and the City's landscape
ordinance stipulates that the plant material must be replaced in 30
days following notification.
Because of the extreme weather circumstances this past year, staff
is requesting that City Council consider providing property owners
options to replace plant materials. This includes:
• Immediately, within 30 days of receipt of the notification
letter from the City (Current requirement in Landscape
Ordinance 544 -A).
The replacement will occur 30 days after water restrictions
are lifted and notification of such is received by the City (not
to exceed 180 days).
City of South.lake Values.
Integfity 4 Innovation ® Accountability 1 Commitment to Excellence ♦ Tean -iwofk
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
Meeting Date — December 1, 2011
Page 3 of 3
• The plant material replacement will be completed within 90
days of the receipt of this letter (provide a schedule to the
City).
Staff will provide property owners a letter explaining the options and
a site plan indicating the dead or missing trees and/or plants. An
example of the letter and site plan to be sent is attached
to the report.
Financial
Considerations: Not Applicable
Strategic Link: This request is linked to the City Council Focus Areas of Quality
Development and Partnerships and Volunteerism. The request also
addresses the corporate objectives of providing attractive and
unique spaces for enjoyment of personal interests and providing
opportunities for partnerships and volunteer involvement.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Not Applicable
Legal Review: Not Applicable
Alternatives:
• City Council approve the options as recommended
• City Council modify options
• City Council not approve the options
Supporting
Documents: Example of a property owner notification letter and site plan.
Recommendation: Approve recommended options as outlined.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation + Accountability A Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
1 9
Plannin,g and Development Services
November 28, 2011
Southlake, Texas 76092
Re: Plant Replacement for
The City of Southlake requires commercial property owners to continually maintain their landscape in
accordance with Landscape Ordinance 544 -A, in perpetuity. During this past summer, with a major
drought that included Stage 1 Mandatory Watering Restrictions and extreme heat, many commercial
landscapes suffered landscape plant material loss.
During a recent inspection of the landscape for the above noted property, there were deficiencies in the
property landscaping. An original landscape plan is enclosed identifying dead or missing plant material.
This letter serves as notification of the deficiencies in order to permit a reasonable time to bring the
landscape back into compliance:
North bufFeryard: 3 dead trees and several shrubs in the parking lot buffer
hedge.
South bufferyard: 3 dead canopy trees and 4 dead ornamental trees
South parking lot island: 2 dead ornamental trees and missing groundcover
Landscape Ordinance 504 -A of the City of Southlake contains the following requirement with regard to
continued maintenance of landscape plant materials and irrigation system required on commercial
developments in the City:
10.1 GENERAL: The Owner shall be responsible for the continued maintenance, in perpetuity, of all
landscaping and irrigation. All required landscaping shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner
at all times. This shall include mowing, edging, pruning, fertilizing, watering, weeding, keeping beds
mulched in accordance with standard horticultural practices or as recommended by the Landscape
Administrator and other such activities common to the practice of landscaping. Landscape 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. All irrigation heads or lines which are broken and flow water shall be replaced/ repaired
immediately to prevent waste of water.
10.2 PLANT MATERIAL REPLACEMENT: The Owner shall be responsible for replacing all plant
material which shows dead branching over 75/0 or more of the normal branching pattern during the
time of a normal growing season and repair of irrigation system requirements set herein in perpetuity.
1400 Main Street Suite 310 . Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748 -8069 • www.ci.southiake.tx.us
Plant materials which die shall be replaced with plant material of similar variety and similar initial size.
Upon notification by the City of such replacements, the Owner shall have thirty (30) days to comply
with these requirements. However dye to the extreme drought conditions that the area is
experiencing the City is providing property owners options for the replacement of plant materials
which are provided on the attached form. Please fill out the attached form and return to the City.
The following are suggestions for landscape installation to help ensure plant materials remain viable:
1. The fall and winter are the best time to plant trees and shrubs, allowing the root system to
become established before the summer heat.
2. The irrigation system should be checked prior to planting to insure that it is in an efficient
operating condition.
3. Hand watering and the use of a soaker hose on newly planted plants is allowed under Stage I of
water restrictions.
4. In order to preserve moisture in the landscape beds and around trees, it is recommended that a
2 -3 inch layer of wood mulch be installed and maintained year round.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 817 - 748 -8215 or by e-mail at
pmoos ci.southlake.tx.us
Sincerely,
Patty Moos, RLA
Landscape and Zoning Inspector
1400 Main Street Suite 310 • Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748 -8069 . www.ci.southlake.tx.us
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
9j
Planning and Development Smices
TREE AND LANDSCAPING REPLACEMENT FORM
** *PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE UPON SELECTION AND
COMPLETION * **
(Return Address/Email Address or Fax Number located on the second page)
Southlake, Texas 76092
Re: Commercial Addition, Blk 1 Lot 18
will replace the missing or dead plant material listed below at the property located
East Southlake Boulevard (Please see attached landscape plan):
North bufferyard: 3 dead trees and several shrubs in the parking lot buffer
hedge.
South bufferyard: 3 dead canopy trees and 4 dead ornamental trees
South parking lot island: 2 dead ornamental trees and missing groundcover
Please remove any dead plant material immediately. The plant material will be replaced (please
check one of the following options):
Immediately, within 30 days of receipt of the notification letter from the City of Southlake
(Landscape Ordinance 544 -A, 10.2)
After Stage I watering restrictions have been lifted. The replacement will be completed within 30
days after restrictions are lifted and notification of such is received from the City (Not to exceed
180 days from the receipt of this letter).
The plant material replacement will be completed within 90 days of the receipt of this letter
(provide a schedule is the space below, not to exceed 90 days, for the completion of
the replacement):
1400 Main Street Suite 310 + Southlake, Tai 76092
(817) 748 -8069 + www.ci.southlake.tx.us
Property Representative Signature
Contact Address
Date
Contact Phone Number
** *PLEASE RETURN THIS FORMTO THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE UPON COMPLETION * **
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 817- 748 -8215 or by e-mail at
pmoos ci.southlake.tx.us
Sincerely,
Patty Moos, RLA
Landscape and Zoning Inspector
Return Addresses — Patty Moos, RLA
1400 Main Street Suite 310
Southlake, TX 76092
or
Email — Pmoos ci.southlake.tx.us
or
Fax — 817 - 748 -8077
1400 Main Street Suite 310 + Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748 -8069 • www.ci.southtake.tx.us