| | | | | | | |  | Committee Assignments - C4 G
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager | | | DATE: | January 17, 2018 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD - ARTIFICIAL GRASS ORDINANCE.
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
| Refer the proposed Ordinance Amendment to the Planning Board for consideration and recommendation.
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| HISTORY
On September 13, 2017, the City Commission referred a discussion item to the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee (SRC) to consider an amendment to the City Code to allow greater usage of artificial turf by residents, to match advancements in technology that have made artificial turf systems more permeable than natural turf. This item is sponsored by Vice Mayor John Elizabeth Aleman. On October 30, 2017, the SRC discussed the item and directed the Administration to draft an ordinance that would allow for artificial turf in rear yards, and continued the discussion to December 11, 2017.
On December 11, 2017, the SRC endorsed the draft Ordinance prepared by the Administration, with minor revisions, and recommended that the City Commission refer the item to the Planning Board.
PLANNING ANALYSIS
The City’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs) require the use of natural growing plant material within all required setbacks. Additionally, the recently adopted changes to Chapter 126 of the LDR’s (landscaping) establish minimum landscape standards and include limits to allowable lawn (natural grass) areas, to promote a greater diversity of native plant material.
Under the LDR’s, artificial turf and/or synthetic grass is permissible in areas outside of the minimum required yard setbacks, as well as an allowable encroachment within a required yard. Any placement of artificial grass within a required yard, which is beyond the allowable encroachment limitations detailed in the LDR’s, requires a land use board variance.
The attached draft ordinance provides for artificial grass to be utilized in the required rear yards of single family homes in place of natural grass. The use of artificial grass would be subject to the same limitations of natural grass, including a limitation that it not exceed 50% of required open space on the property. The proposed use of artificial grass would be reviewed and approved by staff, rather than require land use board approval.
The draft ordinance requires that artificial grass be installed as a system that would allow for drainage that equals or exceeds that of natural grass. Additionally, the proposed ordinance would require that the owner submit an affidavit agreeing to maintain the artificial turf in good working order, as the artificial grass systems tend to clog over time, reducing their permeability, and creating the potential for flooding during rain events.
The following is a summary of the proposed regulations for the allowance of artificial grass in required rear yards within single family zoning districts:
• Artificial grass shall be allowed as an alternative to lawn grass and shall count towards the maximum lawn area of 50% in single family districts.
• Artificial grass shall be installed as a system that is pervious and contributes to storm drainage. The permeability shall be equal to or greater than that of natural grass.
• Landscape permit plans shall be provided with artificial grass system specifications, sections and details for review and approval by planning department staff.
• Applicants shall provide an owner affidavit agreeing to perpetually maintain the artificial grass system in good working order in order to ensure that there is continued ground permeability.
Additionally, the SRC recommended criteria for the newer generation of plant-derived organic systems, which require fewer synthetic chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and health. Accordingly, the following additional criterion has been incorporated into the ordinance:
• The artificial grass system shall utilize organic plant-derived and other natural infill components to the maximum extent feasible, including but not limited to cork, coconut, corn husk, rice husk, and sand. The use of crumb rubber and other synthetic materials shall be minimized.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| | Pursuant to the recommendation of the Sustainability and Resiliency Committee, the Administration recommends that the Mayor and the City Commission refer the attached draft ordinance to the Planning Board. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking
Planning |
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| | | | | | | | Sponsor
Vice-Mayor John Elizabeth Aleman |
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