HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Initiate a Zoning Code Amendment to Modify Landscape RegulationsCITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
- City Council Staff Report
June 9, 2015
Agenda Item No. 16
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director — (949) 644 -3226,
kbrandt @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director
PHONE: (949) 644 -3297
TITLE: Initiate a Zoning Code Amendment to Modify Landscape Regulations
ABSTRACT:
Request to initiate an amendment to the Zoning Code modifying the landscape regulations to reflect the
City's water conservation efforts.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Find this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Section
15262 of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3; and
b) Initiate an amendment to Title 20 of the Municipal Code to modify the General Landscape Standards in
respect to maintenance requirements during drought conditions.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
No fiscal impact.
DISCUSSION:
The City's current landscape regulations detailed in Zoning Code Section 20.36.050, require that
landscaped areas be maintained in a "healthy and growing condition ". Considering the current drought and
the City taking Level Three action to reduce water consumption, it is expected that turfgrass may not be
healthy or growing in the months (or years) to come.
To accommodate this and to avoid penalizing residents and businesses, it is necessary to amend the
Zoning Code to recognize a different standard for landscape maintenance during drought conditions.
Therefore, staff is requesting Council to initiate the process to amend the Zoning Code, which will include
review and recommendation of the proposed amendment by the Planning Commission.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15262 (feasibility and planning studies) of the State CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because the initiation of the Municipal Code
Amendment is not the adoption of a legally binding plan or regulation and merely directs staff to analyze
the suggested amendments and present a recommendation for future action. Environmental analysis will
be performed consistent with CEQA prior to acting on any proposed code amendment.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Council considers the item).
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