Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance adds three new definitions, deletes one definition, revises the lighting section of Columbus Zoning Code Chapter 3321, General Site Development Standards, and creates new landscaping and screening regulations in the same chapter.
The purpose of the proposed code changes is to enable commercial developers and neighboring residents to rely on standardized regulations to achieve predictable, consistent, and quality site development. These or similar standards are typical in Commercial Planned Development, Planned Unit Development, and in Limited Overlay rezoning applications. The public purpose of landscaping is to reestablish plant cover over the built environment, reduce topsoil erosion and storm water runoff, mitigate the effects of sun and wind, offset carbon emissions, moderate temperatures, conserve energy resources, and improve aesthetic appeal in neighborhoods.
Staff believes that passage of this code change proposal will actually speed up the development process because items that will be codified are typically negotiated between developers and Staff and/or neighborhood groups during the rezoning or variance process which can be time consuming. The proposal was considered and endorsed by the Columbus Development Commission on May 12, 2011.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To supplement and amend Chapter 3303, Definitions, and Chapter 3321, General Site Development Standards, of the Columbus Zoning Code, Title 33, to add and delete definitions, revise the lighting standards, and create new landscaping and screening requirements; and to make other needed changes in various code sections of Title 33 in order to accommodate the new and updated general site development standards and requirements.
Body
WHEREAS, this ordinance adds three new definitions and deletes one definition in Chapter 3303, Definitions; and revises Columbus Zoning Code Chapter 3321, General Site Development Standards and;
WHEREAS, Section 3321.03 Lighting is revised to apply standards typical in planned or limited districts to commercial, institutional, and manufacturing districts; and
WHEREAS, a new zoning code proposal for new sections in Chapter 3321, General Site Development Standards, will require landscaping the front setbacks in all zoning districts; one tree per new residential lot at a minimum ratio of one tree per ten dwelling units; a minimal visual screening standard for newly zoned non-residential properties abutting residentially zoned lots; and, a basic screening requirement for mechanical equipment in non-residential districts; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the proposed code change is to enable commercial developers and neighboring residents to rely on standardized regulations to achieve predictable, consistent, and quality site development; and
WHEREAS, these new landscaping and screening standards are widely accepted and are typical in planned zoning districts such as CPD, PUD, and in limited overlay districts; and
WHEREAS, the public purpose of landscaping is to reestablish plant cover over the built environment, reduce topsoil erosion and storm water runoff, mitigate the effects of sun and wind, offset carbon emissions, moderate temperatures, conserve energy resources, and improve aesthetic appeal in neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Staff believes that passage of this code change proposal will speed up the development process because items that will be codified are typically negotiated between developers and Staff and/or neighborhood groups during the rezoning or variance process which can be time consuming; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance repeals the prior existing lighting section and vision clearance sections in residential chapters because all vision clearance standards were consolidated in Chapter 3321 under Ordinance No. 1537-2009; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Development Commission voted to recommend approval of this Zoning Code revision at its public hearing on May 12, 2011; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Sections 3303.03, 3303.06, and 3303.18 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby amended to read as follows:
(See Attachment 1)
SECTION 2. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby supplemented by the enactment of new Sections 3321.03, 3321.07, 3321.09, 3321.11, and 3321.13 to read as follows:
(See Attachment 2)
SECTION 3. That the prior existing Sections 3303.03, 3303.06, 3303.18, 3321.03, 3332.30, 3333.27, 3345.135, and 3347.08 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.