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§ 6.202 PARKING LOT DESIGN STANDARDS.
   (a)   Space size. The following minimum standards shall apply to the width and length of parking spaces.
 
Type
Width
Length
Standard parking space
9 feet
18 feet*
Parallel parking space
8 feet
22 feet
*   Parking spaces adjacent to landscape areas may project into the landscape area and be reduced to 16 feet in length when separated from the landscape area by curbing or approved wheel stops.
 
   (b)   Angle parking size. The standards for the minimum width of parking spaces plus the aisle are shown in the following table. These standards apply to a single row of head-in parking or two rows of head-in parking sharing an aisle. See the illustrations below.
 
Angle
Width: 1 Row Sharing Aisle
Width: 2 Rows Sharing Aisle
90 degree angle parking
42.0 feet
60.0 feet
60 degree angle parking
34.6 feet
54.7 feet
45 degree angle parking
31.1 feet
50.0 feet
30 degree angle parking
28.8 feet
45.6 feet
 
   Parking Lot Layout Dimensions
   (c)   Driveways.
      (1)   When driveways are less than 20 feet in width, marked separate entrances and exits shall be provided so that traffic shall flow in one direction only.
      (2)   Entrances and exits to an alley may be provided if prior approval is obtained in writing from the transportation and public works department.
      (3)   The location of ingress and egress driveways shall be subject to approval of the city traffic engineer under curb cut or laid down curb permit procedures.
      (4)   Except for unified residential development in accordance with § 6.506, driveways designated as fire lanes shall meet the standards of the fire code.
   (d)   Maneuvering space.
      (1)   Maneuvering space shall be located completely off the right-of-way of a public street, place or court, except for on-street parking approved by the traffic engineer.
      (2)   Parking areas that would require the use of public right-of-way for maneuvering shall not be acceptable as required off-street parking spaces other than for one- and two-family dwellings, except for on-street parking approved by the traffic engineer.
      (3)   Parking parallel to the curb on a public street shall not be substituted for off-street parking requirements, except as provided for in an “MU-1” or “MU-2” mixed-use district.
   (e)   Parking surface.
      (1)   Minimum required parking spaces must be hard-surfaced and dust free, except in instances where the adjacent street is unpaved, in which case the drives and parking spaces shall be hard-surfaced within one year after all adjacent streets are paved. Fire lanes and ADA spaces may not be constructed with porous surfaces.
      (2)   [Reserved.]
      (3)   [Reserved.]
      (4)   a.   Hard surface parking is not required for:
            1.   Non-passenger vehicles and tractor trailers for industrial uses; and
            2.   Motor vehicle inventory for sale.
         b.   All parking must be, at a minimum, on a compacted gravel base.
      (5)   Minimum required parking spaces must be hard-surfaced and dust free, except in instances where the adjacent street is unpaved, in which case the drives and parking spaces shall be hard-surfaced within one year after all adjacent streets are paved. Fire lanes and ADA spaces may not be constructed with porous surfaces.
      (6)   All driveways must be hard-surfaced and dust free. Driveways for one- and two-family uses may, at a minimum, consist of compacted gravel base. Any base product must be contained within a border and maintained, including circular and ribbon drives.
      (7)   No parking for one- and two-family uses shall be permitted within the front yard, as measured between the front property line and the closest location on the structure, other than as provided on the driveway. Driveway coverage, including ribbon drives, shall not exceed 50% of the front yard, and any additional parking on the property shall be provided on the driveway. Circular drives shall not exceed 65% maximum coverage. Parking pads are permitted if they are attached to the primary driveway and constructed of the same material, and shall be included in the calculation of driveway coverage.
   (f)   Off-site auxiliary parking. If sufficient parking is not available on the premises, a private parking lot may be provided within 500 feet, either on property zoned for that purpose or on approval as a special exception by the board of adjustment subject to the following conditions.
      (1)   The parking must be subject to the front yard setback requirements of the district in which it is located.
      (2)   The parking area must be hard surfaced and dust free (except as provided in subsection (e) above).
      (3)   A six-foot screen fence and bufferyard must be provided on all sides adjacent to a residential district in accordance with § 6.300.
      (4)   Area lights must be directed away from adjacent properties.
      (5)   The lot, if adjacent to a residential district, must be chained and locked at night.
   (g)   Accessible parking.
      (1)   Number of spaces required. When parking lots or garage facilities are provided, either in accordance with parking requirements or voluntarily, accessible parking spaces shall be provided according to the table below, except for the following uses.
         a.   For general and long term hospitals, nursing and care homes, and philanthropic medical care uses, any of which specializes in the treatment of persons with mobility impairments, 20% of the parking spaces provided shall be accessible.
         b.   For offices, professional and commercial uses, eleemosynary institutions and doctors’ clinics, any of which provides outpatient medical care, 10% of the parking spaces provided shall be accessible.
         c.   For multifamily dwellings and apartment hotels containing accessible or adaptable dwelling units as specified by the building code, 2% of the parking spaces shall be accessible. Where parking for such uses is provided within or beneath a building, accessible parking spaces shall also be provided within or beneath the building.
Total Parking Spaces in Lot or Garage
Minimum Required Accessible Spaces*
Total Parking Spaces in Lot or Garage
Minimum Required Accessible Spaces*
1—25
1
26—50
2
51—75
3
76—100
4
101—150
5
151—200
6
201—300
7
301—400
8*
401—500
9*
501—1,000
2% of total spaces*
Over 1,000
20 spaces plus 1 space for every 100 spaces, or fraction thereof, over 1,000*
*   One van accessible parking space shall be provided for every 8 accessible parking spaces or fraction thereof.
 
      (2)   Variances. The board of adjustment’s authority is limited to considering variances from the number of accessible parking spaces and van accessible parking spaces required. Accessible parking spaces, van accessible parking spaces and passenger loading zones shall be located and installed as specified in the building code. Variances, as to these items, must be addressed through the process described in the building code.
      (3)   Restriping parking areas. When parking areas are restriped, the provisions of this subsection (g)(3) shall apply. When restriping is done voluntarily to existing parking for the purpose of installing accessible spaces, city staff may allow a reduction in the number of parking spaces required by this section in accordance with the table below when necessary to provide the accessible spaces. Plans for the restriping must be submitted to the planning and development department for review and approval before work begins.
 
Total Required Parking Spaces
Allowed Reduction Not to Exceed
1—50
1 space
51+
2% of total spaces
 
(Ord. 13896, passed 10-12-1999; Ord. 15827, § 1, passed 1-13-2004; Ord. 15924, §§ 1, 2, passed 3-23-2004; Ord. 17522, §§ 5, 6, passed 4-24-2007; Ord. 18208-07-2008A, § 2, passed 7-29-2008; Ord. 18208-07-2008B, § 1, passed 7-29-2008)
Editor’s note:
   For additional restrictions on auxiliary parking in the “ER” district, see § 4.900(d).
§ 6.203 OFF-STREET LOADING FACILITIES.
   (a)   Applicability. All buildings (except one-family, two-family, three-family or four-family dwellings) hereafter erected, reconstructed or enlarged so as to require additional parking spaces, except in district “H,” shall have adequate permanent off-street facilities providing for the loading and unloading of merchandise and goods within or adjacent to the building, in such a manner as not to obstruct the freedom of traffic movement on the public rights-of-way.
   (b)   Loading facility design standards.
      (1)   The minimum distance from the loading dock to the right-of-way line shall be 60 feet. Such space shall be submitted on a plan and approved by the director of traffic engineering and the planning and development department.
      (2)   The minimum distance above may be reduced by the approval of the director of traffic engineering and the planning and development department under unusual circumstances.
      (3)   Loading space shall be in addition to all required vehicular parking.
      (4)   All loading facilities shall be screened in accordance with § 6.301(d).
(Ord. 13896, passed 10-12-1999; Ord. 17522, § 5, passed 4-24-2007)
§ 6.204 BICYCLE PARKING.
   (a)   Locations.
      (1)   Bicycle parking shall be located as close as or closer than the nearest car parking space to the building entrance, other than those spaces for persons with disabilities.
      (2)   Bicycle parking facilities shall not interfere with accessible paths of travel or accessible parking as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
      (3)   A minimum of four feet from the required rack dimension shall be provided for pedestrian clearance when a rack is placed within a sidewalk or pedestrian right-of-way.
      (4)   Bicycle racks shall be located in highly visible and well-lit areas to minimize theft and vandalism.
      (5)   When automobile parking spaces are provided in a structured parking garage, all required bicycle spaces shall be located inside the garage on the ground level. Alternative layout and design of racks to maximize space may be administratively approved by the zoning administrator.
      (6)   Bicycle racks shall be protected by a physical barrier to prevent parked bicycles from damage by motor vehicles; such barriers include but are not limited to curbs, bollards, curb stops and similar objects.
      (7)   Alternative locations. In the event that compliance may not be feasible because of demonstrable hardship, the zoning administrator may approve an alternative locationsubject to the following conditions:
         a.   Alternative locations shall be well lit and secure.
         b.   All bicycle parking spaces shall be located within a 100 foot diameter of the primary building entrance.
         c.   Bicycle racks may be placed in the public right-of-way provided that the building owner obtains an encroachment permit for the installation of racks in the public right-of-way.
   (b)   Layout and design.
      (1)   Bicycle rack design. Structures that require a user-supplied locking device shall be designed in conformance with the following:
         a.   Each bike rack shall be designed to accommodate two bike parking spaces using the allowed bike rack designs depicted below.
         b.   Racks shall be designed to accommodate “U”-shaped locking devises and to supports the bicycle horizontally in two places.
         c.   The racks shall be constructed of durable materials to withstand permanent exposure to the elements such as powder-coated metal or stainless steel.
         d.   All bicycle parking spaces must be hard-surfaced and dust free and consist of at minimum a compact gravel base.
         e.   A wave or loop style bicycle rack may be used in public and private K-12 schools provided the installation provides a minimum of three feet pedestrian clearance on all sides.
      (2)   Bicycle parking space size, access aisles and vertical clearance.
         a.   Racks shall provide clearance from other objects by using layout dimensions of at least four feet wide by six feet long as depicted below.
         b.   A property requiring a change of use permit may provide a reduced three feet wide by six feet long clearance from other objects.
      (3)   Signage. In cases where bicycle parking spaces are not visible from the primary street, signage shall be used to direct cyclists safely to bicycle parking areas. (Manual for Uniform Traffic Devices sign D4-3)
      (4)   Securely anchored. All bicycle racks and lockers shall be securely anchored to the ground using a concrete footing and tamper-proof spike anchors.
   (c)   Bicycle parking requirement. The number of bicycle parking racks shall be based on the required automobile parking spaces and shall be provided in accordance with the following with fractional requirements for bike parking over one-half to be rounded up:
New nonresidential and change of use permits (enlargement, expansion or conversion of an existing building of 5,000 square feet floor area or greater)
0—40 required auto spaces = 1 rack minimum
41—60 required auto spaces = 2 rack minimum
61—80 required auto spaces = 3 rack minimum
81—100 required auto spaces = 4 rack minimum
101—300 required auto spaces = 5 rack minimum
over 300 required auto spaces = 2% or 8 rack maximum
Change of use permits (enlargement, expansion or conversion of an existing building) between 1,000—4,999 square feet of gross floor area
1 rack minimum
Multi-family residential (5+ dwelling units)
0.10 spaces for every bedroom mixed-use, urban residential and form-based districts
Public and private K-12 schools
1.5 bicycle parking spaces for every 20 students of planned capacity
 
      (1)   The following uses are exempt from this section: accessory uses; agricultural; industrial uses; lodging; one to four-family dwelling units; temporary uses; utilities; vehicle sales and service and multi-family (4+ dwelling units) outside of Mixed-Use, Urban Residential and Design Districts, Urban Residential, Urban Villages and Mixed-Use Zoning districts (from 4.800).
      (2)   Bicycle parking for health care facilities shall be calculated using required employee automobile parking.
      (3)   Land uses not exempted from this requirement which have no minimum parking requirement shall provide bicycle racks based on actual automobile parking spaces provided.
      (4)   Bicycle parking shall not count toward the tree requirement for exceeding maximum allowable parking.
      (5)   The number of required and provided automobile parking spaces and bicycle parking racks should be shown in a chart format on the building permit site plan. A reduction in the minimum required automobile parking is allowed equal to the percentage of bicycle spaces provided, with a five percent maximum reduction.
      (6)   In all cases where bicycle parking is required, no fewer than two spaces (one rack) shall be required.
      (7)   Bicycle parking is not required in the Central Business (“H”) District if the property falls within 500 feet of an existing bicycle rack.
(Ord. 19428-11-2010, § 1, passed 11-9-2010; Ord. 21358-08-2014, §§ 1—3, passed 8-5-2014, eff. 8-12-2014)
ARTICLE 3: LANDSCAPING, BUFFERS AND URBAN FORESTRY
Editor’s note:
   Ord. 18615-05-2009, § 1, adopted May 12, 2009, amended the title of Art. 3 to read as herein set out. Prior to inclusion of said ordinance, Article 3 was entitled, “Landscaping and Buffers.” See also the Code Comparative Table.
§ 6.300 BUFFERYARD AND SUPPLEMENTAL BUILDING SETBACK.
   (a)   When required. A bufferyard consisting of an open space of grass and other landscaping and a masonry wall or wood fence in combination with design features that screen or block vision, noise pollutants and other negative by-products shall be provided and maintained along the entire length of the boundary line between any one- or two-family district, and adjacent nonresidential districts. A bufferyard shall be required even when an alley is located between a nonresidential district and an adjacent one- or two-family district. Temporary buildings, utility facilities and additions to primary structures placed on the site that are less than 30% and under 3,000 square feet are exempted from the bufferyard requirements of this subsection (a). References in this section adjacent to one- or two-family districts shall not include uses described in subsection (k)(4) below.
   (b)   Restrictions of the use of bufferyard and/or building setback areas. These areas are intended to serve as a buffer between potentially incompatible uses. Structures are not permitted to be located in these areas, nor can such areas be used for signs, dumpsters or other garbage containers, any type of storage or any nonresidential activity. Passenger car parking, automobile and truck access and loading or unloading of goods during the daylight hours shall be permitted within the building setback areas exclusive of the landscaped areas.
   (c)   Area requirements.
      (1)   Except as noted in subsection (c)(3) below, when a nonresidential use is initially established, a residential use is converted to a nonresidential use, or the zoning district classification of property is changed to a less restrictive nonresidential district after April 12, 1988, then in each instance where the nonresidential use is located on a lot or premises adjacent to a one- or two-family district, a bufferyard and supplemental building setback shall be provided and maintained by the owner and/or occupant of the nonresidential use in accordance with the following standards.
District
Building Setback
Bufferyard Width
District
Building Setback
Bufferyard Width
“ER”
20 feet
5 feet
“E”
20 feet
5 feet
“FR”
25 feet
5 feet
“F”
35 feet
5 feet
“G”
40 feet
5 feet
“I”***
50 feet
5 feet
“J”***
50 feet*
5 feet
“K”***
50 feet*
5 feet
Inactive Districts
“O-M”
20 feet*
5 feet
“E-P”
20 feet
5 feet
“IP”
50 feet*
5 feet
*   Plus five feet for each additional story above three stories in height
**   45 degree transitional height plant applies above 45 feet or 3 stories, whichever is less. See Figure 6.1 and Figure 6.2, and explanatory language below.
***   Refer to Section 6.300(k) when adjacent to one- or two-family zoning districts.
 
      (2)   When there is an expansion of any parking area or the square footage of a nonresidential use that is located on a lot or a premises that is adjacent to a one- or two-family district, then the development shall be subject to the supplemental bufferyard and building setback requirements, as set forth in this section.
      (3)   When the zoning district classification of vacant property is initially established as a nonresidential use or changed to a less restrictive nonresidential district, the required screen fence and bufferyard shall not be required until such time as the property is actually used as a nonresidential use.
   (d)   Screening requirements. The owner and/or occupant of the use shall also erect and maintain a solid masonry wall, wood fence, or combination thereof, to a height that is a minimum of six feet above the grade of adjacent property along the entire adjacent property line except for minimum required front yards and visibility triangles. For construction standards, see § 5.305(c). Temporary buildings, utility facilities and additions to primary structures placed on the site that are less than 30% and under 3,000 square feet are excepted from the screening requirements of this subsection (d); however dumpsters, loading docks and ground level mechanical equipment shall be screened with a six-foot screening fence. For construction standards, see § 5.305(c).
   (e)   Irrigation requirements. All bufferyards required under this section must be irrigated by an underground automatic irrigation system. Provided, however, that, when the total area of the bufferyard is less than 1,000 square feet, an irrigation system shall not be required if there is a working water faucet located no more than 100 feet from every part of the bufferyard.
   (f)   Landscaping requirements. The bufferyard shall be sodded with turf grass or ground cover that will provide the appearance of a finished planting. Minimum landscaping and buffering must be provided as outlined in subsection (g) below. The landscaping in the bufferyard shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by curbs, railroad ties, concrete retainers or other permanent barriers.
   (g)   Point system requirements. Bufferyards must earn a minimum of 25 points that are awarded for providing and maintaining specific landscaping and design features. The points are accumulated as follows:
Feature
Points
Feature
Points
Solid wood screening fence
   6 feet in height, single-faced
5
   6 feet in height, double-faced
10
   8 feet in height, single-faced
10
   8 feet in height, double-faced
15
Solid masonry wall
   6 feet in height
15
   8 feet in height
20
Combination masonry wall/double-faced solid wood screening fence
   6 feet in height
15
   8 feet in height
20
Each additional 5 feet in bufferyard width beyond required minimum*
5
3 small ornamental trees for every 50 lineal feet of bufferyard
5
3 small ornamental trees for every 25 lineal feet of bufferyard
10
5 ornamental shrubs for every 25 lineal feet of bufferyard
15
1 tree for every 25 lineal feet of bufferyard (minimum 12 feet in height, minimum trunk caliper of 2-1/2 inches above root ball)
10
*   For commercial and institutional uses, a 30-foot grass bufferyard shall meet the point system requirements of this section without providing for a screening fence or irrigation system
 
   (h)   Permit requirements. In order to determine compliance with this section, an application for a building permit for property that abuts a one- or two-family district shall include a landscaping plan with a planting schedule and a written statement indicating the options that were selected in order to meet the minimum “point” requirements.
   (i)   Installation and maintenance. The owner and/or occupant shall be jointly and severally liable for installing and maintaining all masonry walls, fences and landscaping in a healthy, neat, orderly and physically sound condition and replacing it when deemed necessary by the planning and development department.
   (j)   Bonus provisions. The minimum building setback in rear yards can be reduced by five feet in “ER,” “E,” and “O-M” districts and ten feet in all other commercial and industrial districts provided that a minimum ten-foot landscaped front yard is provided on the site in accordance with the standards specified in subsections (e) and (f) above.
   (k)   The below additional standards apply in "I" light industrial, "J" medium industrial and "K" heavy industrial when adjacent to one-family or two-family districts as measured at the property line. The standards shall not apply when the industrial districts and one- and two-family districts are separated by a street.
      (1)   Within the required 50 foot supplemental setback and in addition to the required screening fence or wall, a 20 foot landscaped bufferyard shall be installed along the length of the boundary of the one- or two-family district to include minimum 2½ caliper trees and shrubs in order to provide a vegetated screen. Medium trees shall be planted every 15 feet on center or large trees planted every 30 feet on center. Shrubs that are indicated to grow to a minimum of eight feet tall shall be planted in between the trees. Activity within this supplemental setback shall comply with § 6.300(b). The 20 foot bufferyard will not apply to properties less than 500 feet in depth as measured perpendicular to the primary public street.
      (2)   If visible from one- or two-family districts, storage and dumpsters shall be screened from view from the residential property by an eight foot screening masonry wall surrounding the storage area. If a building is between the storage or dumpster area and the one- or two-family district boundary, and the area is not viewable from adjacent the residential uses, no screening wall is required.
      (3)   Exterior portions and/or facades of buildings must use colors consisting of neutral earth tone; trim and may be a different neutral earth tone color.
      (4)   Exterior entrances shall consist of storefront glass, canopies and masonry articulation or similar architectural features.
      (5)   Any outdoor lighting within 150 feet of a one- or two-family district shall not create any ambient light that trespasses onto adjacent residential uses and shall be zero foot candles on the side adjacent to a residential property with appropriate cutoffs installed. Lighting in this area shall not exceed 20 feet in height including attached wall fixtures.
      (6)   No illuminated signage shall face the one- or two-family district.
   (l)   Exemptions and exceptions.
      (1)   Remodeling work that does not increase the existing floor area or the restoration of a building that has been involuntarily damaged or destroyed shall be exempt from the supplemental bufferyard and building setback requirements.
      (2)   When a legal use exists on property and subsequent to establishing such legal use, adjacent property or property across an alley is rezoned to a one- or two-family district, the construction of new buildings and the addition, remodeling, alteration or total restoration due to involuntary destruction of existing buildings on the property are exempt from the requirements of a bufferyard, screening fence and supplemental building setback.
      (3)   When a residence is converted to a nonresidential use or when an existing nonresidential use expands the building square footage and/or parking area, then the minimum required bufferyard points shall be reduced to 15 points. If a masonry wall is used to satisfy the minimum point requirements, there shall be no bufferyard width requirement.
      (4)   Nothing herein shall require a bufferyard to be placed on a nonresidential use site where such nonresidential use site is immediately adjacent to a waterway, railroad right-of-way, power transmission or other easement where such right-of-way or easements are at least 50 feet in width, or public street right-of-way at least 300 feet in width.
      (5)   Any area located within an airport operating area, defined as those areas associated with aircraft movement, shall be exempt from the supplemental bufferyard and supplemental building setback requirements.
(Ord. 13896, passed 10-12-1999; Ord. 14556, § 8, passed 3-20-2001; Ord. 14713, § 3, passed 7-17-2001; Ord. 15828, § 1, passed 1-13-2004; Ord. 16184, § 1, passed 10-19-2004; Ord. 16521, § 8, passed 7-19-2005; Ord. 17522, § 5, passed 4-24-2007; Ord. 20453-10-2012, § 2, passed 10-9-2012; Ord. 22810-08-2017, § 6, passed 8-1-2017, eff. 9-7-2017; Ord. 23587-03-2019, § 2, passed 3-5-2019)
§ 6.301 LANDSCAPING.
   (a)   Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to preserve the existing and natural environment, conserve water, moderate air temperatures, reduce pollution and filtration of stormwater best practices whenever possible and to provide landscape amenities, setbacks and screening with Texas native and adaptive plants. This section is also intended to promote a positive urban image by promoting quality development, enhancing property values, providing landscape improvements in all parts of the city, and promoting orderly growth and aesthetic quality in the city.
   (b)   Delineation of artificial lot. If a developer wishes to develop a portion of a one acre or larger tract, the developer may request that the development services director delineate the portion of the tract to be developed as an artificial lot, for purposes of calculating landscape requirements for the development. Artificial lots may be delineated in any type of development, including schools and places of worship. All artificial lots shall meet the following requirements:
      (1)   Contain the entire area on which the development is to occur, including all paved areas;
      (2)   Contain a land area of less than 50% of the entire tract, or, if the proposed artificial lot contains more than 50% of the entire tract, the director must determine that a substantial amount of the tract is not affected by the proposed development; and
      (3)   Be delineated on the landscape plan as required in subsection (c) below.
   (c)   Submittal of landscape. A landscape plan shall be submitted to the development services director together with the application for a building permit. The following information shall be shown on the required landscape plan:
      (1)   Calculation of net site area showing all existing and proposed structures, parking and access, other paved areas and all required bufferyard areas pursuant to this section;
      (2)   Calculation of required landscape area;
      (3)   Location and dimensions of areas to be landscaped and total amount of landscape area;
      (4)   Location, number and planting size of all shrubs and groundcover including both required and actual materials provided;
      (5)   Location and coverage of required irrigation system; and
      (6)   Delineation of artificial lot, if applicable, including depiction of all proposed and existing structures, access drives, appurtenant parking and other paved areas proposed for the expansion or new construction.
   (d)   Screening for commercial and institutional uses. Screening for commercial/institutional uses shall include screening of loading docks, truck berths, refuse handling facilities (including refuse disposal and recycling) and ground level mechanical equipment visible from public right-of-way and is required per the following.
      (1)   Loading docks and truck berths.
         a.   Opaque walls, wooden screening fences, landscaped berms or landscape areas all of which must be a minimum of eight feet in height and must screen loading dock areas from view from the public street right-of-way with the greatest pavement width parallel to the trailer berths. Screening shall be of sufficient length to screen the maximum size trailer which can be accommodated on-site and shall be parallel to trailer berths.
         b.   Example: Docks and berths that accommodate a 50-foot trailer shall be screened with a 50-foot wall parallel to the berth.
      (2)   Refuse handling facilities and mechanical equipment. Opaque walls or wooden screening fences of not less than the height of the facilities or equipment to be screened are required to screen the view from any public street right-of-way. Permanent walls are required on three sides with an opaque gate allowed on the fourth side.
   Frontage on One Street
   Facing Alley
   Facing Street
   Frontage on Two Streets of Equal Width
   Frontage on Major and Minor Streets
   (e)   No paving of parkway allowed. After October 1, 1998, no portion of a parkway shall be paved, except for sidewalks or driveways permitted by transportation and public works department.
   (f)   Applicability of landscape requirements. These landscape requirements shall be applicable to the following construction, subject to the exemptions in subsection (g) below:
      (1)   Construction of new structures for which a building permit is required for any commercial/institutional and industrial uses;
      (2)   Expansions of structures used for commercial/institutional and industrial uses that increase the footprint of existing structures by at least 30%, and that add at least 3,000 square feet to existing structures. Expansions that do not meet both the 30% and the 3,000 square foot criteria are not subject to these landscape requirements; and
      (3)   Construction of manufactured home parks and recreational vehicle parks for which a permit is required pursuant to § 13-2 of the city code and private recreation facilities located in manufactured home subdivisions.
   (g)   Exemptions from landscape requirements. The following are not subject to these landscape requirements:
      (1)   Structures that do not create or expand building square footage and temporary structures such as job shacks associated with construction activities;
      (2)   Construction or expansion of one-family and two-family dwellings;
      (3)   Construction or expansion of multifamily and mixed use developments subject to unified residential development provisions set out in § 6.506;
      (4)   Change in use of an existing structure, unless the structure is expanded in accordance with subsection (f)(2) above;
      (5)   Construction or expansion of structures in the “H” central business district bounded by Henderson Street on the west, Vickery Boulevard on the south, I-35 on the east and Bluff Street on the north, except for the area between Henderson Street and the extension of Grove Street, where the northern boundary shall extend to the center of the Trinity River; provided, however, the project may be subject to the Downtown Urban Design Standards adopted in accordance with § 4.402;
      (6)   Temporary buildings in place for a maximum of five years and erected as accessory buildings for elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education; and
      (7)   Any area located within an airport operating area, defined as those areas associated with aircraft movement.
   (h)   Landscape area required. Construction projects subject to this section shall provide landscape areas calculated as follows.
      (1)   Commercial and institutional uses.
         a.   A minimum of 10% of net site area shall be landscaped by using one of the following methods:
            1.   One shrub, a minimum of five gallons in size, for every 50 square feet, or fraction thereof, of required landscape; or
            2.   For every 75 square feet, or fraction thereof, of required landscape area, a cluster of native shrubs and or grasses, consisting of a minimum of five plants, three gallon in size and grouped with similar watering requirements from the approved native plant list found in Table A. below. Plants may not exceed four feet in height in the required front yard. Existing natural vegetation shall be preserved when possible.
Table A.
Recommended List of Native Plants for Landscape Use in North Central Texas
Native Plants
Common Name
Key
Scientific Name
E
D
P
S
B
F
X
Table A.
Recommended List of Native Plants for Landscape Use in North Central Texas
Native Plants
Common Name
Key
Scientific Name
E
D
P
S
B
F
X
Grasses
 
Switchgrass
P
B
F
Panicum virgatum
Big Bluestem
D
P
B
F
Andropogon gerardii
Buffalograss
D
Buchloe dactyloides
Bushy Bluestem
P
B
F
Androphgon gloeratus
Eastern Gamagrass
P
S
Tripsacum dactyloides
Gulf Muhly
P
B
F
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Indiangrass
D
P
B
F
Sorghastrum natans
Inland Seaoats
P
S
B
F
Chasmanthium latifolium
Lindheimer Muhly
D
P
B
F
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Little Bluestem
D
B
FF
Schizachyrium scoparium
Seep Muhly
D
P
S
B
Muhlenbergia reverchonii
Sideoats Gama
D
B
F
Bouteloua curtipendula
Splitbeard Bluestem
D
P
F
X
Andropogon ternarius
Shrubs
 
Agarito
E
D
B
F
Mahonia trifoliolata
American Beautyberry
P
S
B
F
Callicarpa americana
Apache Plum
D
B
F
Fallugia paradoxa
Autume Sage
D
B
F
Salvia greggii
Canyon Senna
D
F
Cassia wislizenii
Coralbean
D
B
F
Erythrina herbacea
Coralberry
S
B
F
Symphoricarpus orbiculatus
Dwarf Wax Myrtle
E
P
S
B
Myrica pussila
Flame Acanthus
D
B
F
Anisacanthus wrightii
Fragrant Sumac
D
B
F
Rhus aromatica
Indigobush
P
B
F
Amorpha fruticosa
Mountain Sage
S
B
F
Salvia regla
Pale Leaf Yucca
E
D
S
B
F
Yucca pallida
Red Yucca
E
D
P
S
B
F
Hesperaloe parviflora
Smooth Sumac
D
B
FF
Rhus glabra
Texas Barberry
E
D
B
F
Mahonia swaseyi
Texas Mock Orange
F
Philadelphus texensis
Texas Sage/Cenizio
E
D
F
Leucophyllum frutescens
Turk’s Cap
D
P
S
B
F
Malvaviscus drummondii
Virginia Sweetspire
P
S
B
F
Itea virginica
White Honeysuckle Bush
S
B
F
Lonicera albiflora
Groundcover
 
Cedar Sage
S
B
F
Panicum virgatum
Frogfruit
D
P
B
Phyla nodiflora
Golden Groundsel
D
S
F
Senecio obovatus
Horseherb
S
Calyptocarpis vialis
Lyreleaf Sage
E
P
S
F
Salvia Lyrata
Missouri Violet
S
F
Viola missouriensis
Pigeon Berry
P
S
B
F
Rivina humilis
Virginia Creeper
P
S
B
F
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Wood Fern
S
Thelypteris kunthii
Vines
 
Carolina Jessamine
E
P
B
F
Gelsemium sempervirens
Climbing Prairie Rose
P
B
F
Rosa setigera
Coral Honeysuckle
P
B
F
Lonicera sempervirens
Crossvine
E
P
S
B
F
Bignonia capreolata
Passion Flower
P
S
B
S
Passiflora incarnata
Virginia Creeper
P
S
B
F
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Adaptive
 
White Yarrow
E
D
P
B
F
Achillea millifollium
Butterfly Bush
B
F
Buddleja spp
Mexican Bush Sage
D
B
F
Salvia leucantha
Mexican Oregano
E
D
B
F
Poliomentha longiflora
Ox-Eyed Daisies
E
P
B
F
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Key:
   E = Evergreen
   D = Drought resistant in full sun with reflected heat
   P = Tolerates poor drainage, can be used in parkways and other places where roots are confined and drainage periodically may be poor
   S = Shade tolerant
   B = Attracts birds or butterflies
   F = Very showy in flower, fruit or fall foliage
   FF = Indicates more than one showy characteristic
   X = Cross Timbers or Trinity sands only, not in the Blacklands or limestone
Source: North Central Texas Council of Governments
 
         b.   All landscaped areas shall:
            1.   Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
            2.   Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to vehicle use areas; and
            3.   Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance groundcover.
         c.   A minimum of 75% of all required landscape area shall be located in the front yard between the building line and the front property line. For lots with multiple street frontages, a minimum of 75% of all required landscape shall be located in the yard adjacent to the street with the greatest pavement width. The planning and development director may approve a 5% modification to the percentage requirement. When an artificial lot or a building expansion is separated from property adjacent to a street frontage, the required landscape areas may be located anywhere on the subject to the perimeter footprint of a building or structure.
         d.   Landscaped bioretention areas are encouraged for natural drainage channels to reduce runoff and increase infiltration of water into the soil.
         e.   The minimum percentage of the landscape area required in the front yard between the building line and the front property line may be reduced to 50% provided that native/adapted plants are used in conjunction with stormwater quality facilities as approved by the department of transportation and public works and as provided in the Stormwater Quality Manual.
      (2)   Industrial uses and manufactured home uses.
         a.   A minimum of 4% net site area, or, at the option of the developer, a landscape area of at least 30 feet in depth along the length of the property line frontage on all public right-of-way adjacent to the property shall be landscaped by using one of the following methods:
            1.   For every 50 square feet, or fraction thereof, of required landscape area, one shrub a minimum of five gallons is required; or
            2.   For every 75 square feet, or fraction thereof, of required landscape area, a cluster of native shrubs and or grasses, consisting of a minimum of five plants, three gallon in size and grouped with similar watering requirements, from the approved native plant list found in Appendix F. Landscaping, of the city’s Stormwater Manual. Plants may not exceed four feet in height in the required front yard. Existing natural vegetation shall be preserved when possible.
         b.   All landscaped areas shall:
            1.   Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
            2.   Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to vehicle use areas; and
            3.   Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance ground cover.
         c.   A minimum of 75% of all required landscape area shall be located in the front yard between the building line and the front property line. For lots with multiple street frontages, a minimum of 75% of all required landscape shall be located in the yard adjacent to the street with the greatest pavement width. The development services director may approve a 5% modification to the percentage requirement. When an artificial lot or a building expansion is separated from property adjacent to a street frontage, the required landscape areas may be located anywhere on the subject to the perimeter footprint of a building or structure.
         d.   Landscaped bioretention areas are encouraged for natural drainage channels to reduce runoff and increase infiltration of water into the soil.
         e.   The minimum percentage of the landscape area required in the front yard between the building line and the front property line may be reduced to 50% provided that native/adapted plants are used in conjunction with stormwater quality facilities as approved by the department of transportation and public works and as provided in the stormwater quality manual.
   (i)   Irrigation.
      (1)   A permanently installed irrigation system shall be installed to provide total water coverage to all plant materials installed.
      (2)   A temporary irrigation system shall be installed for new native plantings for up to one year in order to establish root systems.
      (3)   A drip irrigation system as required by the city’s water department (Water Conservation Manual, § 35-162 of the city code) shall be installed for native and adaptive plant material in new commercial and industrial planting beds less than five feet in width.
   (j)   Modification of landscape requirements. The development services director or a designee may approve minor variations in the location of required landscape materials due to unusual topographic constraints, sight restrictions, siting requirements, preservation of existing stands of native trees or similar conditions, or in order to maintain consistency of established front yard setbacks. These minor changes may vary the location of required landscape materials, but may not reduce the amount of required landscape area or the required amount of landscape materials. The landscape plan shall be submitted and shall specify the modifications requested and present a justification for such modifications.
   (k)   Installation and maintenance.
      (1)   All landscape materials shall be installed within 90 days after issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Such 90-day period may be extended for an additional 90 days by the development services director. Upon completion of installation of all plant materials, the owner or agent shall notify the planning and development department of completion of installation and shall request inspection. Verification by the planning and development department of installation in compliance with this section shall be required.
      (2)   The owner shall maintain all landscape materials in good condition in accordance with the terms of this section.
   (l)   Variances by board of adjustment.
      (1)   As provided by state law, the board of adjustment may grant variances to the provisions of this section only if the variance is not contrary to the public interest and, due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the section would result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the section is observed and substantial justice is done. As provided by state law, a “hardship” does not include financial hardship resulting from compliance with the landscape provisions.
      (2)   The city manager or a designee shall report monthly to the city council any variances granted to this section.
(Ord. 13896, passed 10-12-1999; Ord. 13931, § 2, passed 9-8-1999; Ord. 14557, § 2, passed 3-20-2001; Ord. 14894, § 4, passed 12-11-2001; Ord. 14987, § 2, passed 2-19-2002; Ord. 15850, § 1, passed 1-27-2004; Ord. 16184, § 2, passed 10-19-2004; Ord. 16270, § 1, passed 1-18-2005; Ord. 17228, § 1, passed 10-3-2006; Ord. 17367, §§
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