The document discusses proposed amendments to non-residential landscaping and buffer standards in the UDO. Key points of the amendments include increasing credits for water-conserving irrigation systems from 10% to 20%; increasing points for Texas native plants by 50%; doubling points for retaining older/larger trees; allowing flexibility to waive buffers adjacent to residential common areas and floodplains; removing double landscape point requirements for plots over 10 acres; and requiring buffers based on adjacent use rather than zoning district. The amendments aim to incentivize water conservation and retention of mature trees. A timeline of the amendment process is also provided.

1. Agenda Item #2
UDO Amendment
Non-Residential Landscaping & Buffer
Standards

2. • Included in P&Z 2017 Plan of Work
• August 30, 2017 – Public Meetings to receive input from
stakeholders
• September 21, 2017– P&Z Workshop update
• December 15, 2017– P&Z Workshop
• February 22, 2018 – City Council Workshop
• May 17, 2018 – P&Z recommendation
• June 14, 2018 – City Council final decision

3. Overview of Amendments
• Increasing the point credit from 10 percent to 20 percent for water-conserving irrigation systems.
• 50 percent increase in landscaping points for Texas native plants.
• Incentivizing the retention of older/larger trees by doubling the point values for each protected
tree.
• Administrative flexibility to waive buffer requirements adjacent to residential common area, and
exempting buffers adjacent to FEMA 100-year floodplain.
• Removing the double landscape point requirements for building plots over 10 acres.
• Removing the 2.5-inch caliper tree requirement for building plots over 15 acres.
• Providing water conserving landscaping options, such as xeriscaping in lieu of sod.
• Requiring buffer by developed/proposed use instead of by zoning district.

4. Water Conserving Irrigation
Current point credit:
A ten (10) percent point credit will be awarded where the
irrigation system employed is a recognized water-conserving
system.
Proposed:
A twenty (20) percent point credit will be awarded where the
irrigation system employed is a recognized water-conserving
system.
(WaterSense labeled controller, drip irrigation, etc.)

5. Texas Native
Points Accrued Caliper (Inches)
75 1.5 to 2
150 2.1 to 3.4
300 3.5 and larger
Points Accrued Caliper (Inches)
110 1.5 to 2
225 2.1 to 3.4
450 3.5 and larger
Current
Proposed

6. Tree Retention (with barricade)
Points
Accrued
Caliper
(Inches)
Canopy Tree 400 4 to 8
500 8+
Non-Canopy
Tree
150 2 to 4
200 4+
Points
Accrued
Caliper
(Inches)
Canopy Tree 800 4 to 8
1000 8+
Non-Canopy
Tree
300 2 to 4
400 4+
Current
Proposed

7. Perimeter Buffer
Administrative flexibility to exempt:
• Buffering against common area (example:
CityView)
• FEMA designated 100-year floodplain.

8. Perimeter Buffer
Current substitutions allowed:
• Wall substituted with a fence if yard and plantings are
doubled
• Omission of walls and fences if yard and plantings tripled
Additional Proposed:
•Wall substituted with fence if the
buffer yard and plantings are doubled
•Omission of walls and fences if the
buffer yard and plantings tripled or a
living screen is provided
•Buffer plantings may be reduced by
half if providing a wall when a fence
is required.

9. Building Plots
• Remove double landscape points for
building plots 10+ acres
• Remove 2.5” caliper requirement for
building plots 15+ acres

10. Water Conserving Landscaping
• Texas xeriscaping
• Lush native plants in lieu of sod
• Mulch planter beds help reduce evaporation

11. Buffer
DEVELOPING USE
(Classification)
ABUTTING PARCEL*
(Use more restrictive of the zoning or the developed use.)
Single-Family
Residential (ii)
Multi-Family
Residential (i)
Non-Residential (iii)
Single-family (ii) N/A N/A N/A
Multi-Family (i) (iii) 10' (1) N/A N/A
Office 10' (1) N/A N/A
Commercial 15' (2) 10' (1) N/A
Industrial 25' (2) 15' (2) 5'
Suburban Commercial/
Wellborn Commercial
20' (1) N/A N/A
Business Park 50' (2) 15' (2) 5'
Business Park Industrial 50' (2) 30' (2) 10'**
SOB 50' (2) 50' (2) 50' (2)
(1) Fence
(2) Wall
(1) Fence
(2) Wall
*** Wellborn Commercial
DEVELOPING USE
(Classification)
ABUTTING PARCEL*
(Use more restrictive of the zoning or the developed use.)
Single-Family
Residential (ii)
Multi-Family
Residential (i)
Non-Residential (iii)
Single-family (ii) N/A N/A N/A
Multi-Family (i) (iii) 10' (1) N/A N/A
Office 10' (1) N/A N/A
Commercial *** 15' (2) 10' (1) N/A
Industrial 25' (2) 15' (2) 5'
Business Park 50' (2) 15' (2) 5'
Business Park - Industrial 50' (2) 30' (2) 10'**
SOB 50' (2) 50' (2) 50' (2)