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CC - (1) Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Landscape Guidelines for Residential Parkways; (2) Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Culver City Municipal Code Chapter §9.08 Streets and Sidewalks to Add Subchapter 9.08.700 entitled Parkway Landscaping Guidelines, and Repealing Section §9.10.035 Planting, Cutting, Removal of Trees or Plants in Streets of Chapter 9.10 Parks, Public Buildings and Property; and (3) Adoption of a Categorical Exemption Relating Thereto Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
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Meeting Date: July 11, 2016
Contact Person/Dept: Joe Susca/Public Works
Phone Number: 310-253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/05/2016); (E-Mail) All members of the public who attended prior meetings regarding this topic (07/01/2016); (E-Mail) The Following E-Mail Distribution List Subscribers: Urban Forest Management Plan, Community Gardening, Sustainability / Environmental Issues, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and Public Notifications (07/01/2016). (E-Mail) The following Neighborhood Associations: The Downtown Neighborhood Association, Eastern Washington Boulevard, Fox Hills Neighborhood Association, Gateway Neighborhood Association, Studio Estates, Sunkist Park, Blair Hills, Carlson Park, Syd Kronenthal Park/Culver City East Neighborhood and West Washington Boulevard (07/01/2016)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer 06/29/16
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a Resolution establishing Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines; (2) adopt an Ordinance amending Culver City Municipal Code Chapter §9.08 Streets and Sidewalks to Add Subchapter 9.08.700 entitled Parkway Landscaping Guidelines, and repealing Section §9.10.035 Planting, Cutting, Removal of Trees or Plants in Streets of Chapter 9.10 Parks, Public Buildings and Property; and (3) adopt a categorical exemption related thereto pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
During its meeting of June 13, 2016, the City Council received a presentation of proposed Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines (Guidelines) and introduced an Ordinance amending Culver City Municipal Code Chapter §9.08 Streets and Sidewalks to Add Subchapter 9.08.700 entitled Parkway Landscaping Guidelines, and repealing Section §9.10.035 Planting, Cutting, Removal of Trees or Plants in Streets of Chapter 9.10 Parks, Public Buildings and Property. (A parkway is that portion of a public street located between the curb and sidewalk.) During the City Council’s discussion of the matter, the following changes to the Guidelines were directed and have been incorporated: (See Attachment No. 1 -- Redline of Changes to Guidelines):
1. Clarification statements were added regarding soil restoration and grading; a note that photographs depicting plant species did not necessarily portray the manner in which they are to be planted or maintained; that mulch is not required where ground cover exists; that conventional grass turf is prohibited; that the cutting of City tree roots must be performed in a manner that adheres to Appendix J of the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan; that plant growth is not allowed to overhang onto the accessway, step-out strip, curb or sidewalk; that fire hydrants may interrupt the path of a step-out strip; that impermeable surfaces shall be sloped to drain water into permeable areas; and that corner lots with two parkways are to adhere to the Guidelines separately.
2. Only dwarf (8-10’ high and wide) and semi-dwarf (12-15’ high and wide) fruit trees may be planted in the parkway.
3. A detailed explanation of when a permit is (and is not) required and when required, and whether a fee applies.
Once the Guidelines are adopted, Artecho will create a brochure summarizing the Guidelines to assist and educate residents in their design and selection of plants for their parkways. The Guidelines will be posted on the City’s website and hard copies will be available at the Public Works-Engineering counter.
CEQA:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, approval and implementation of the Guidelines and Ordinance do not create any potentially significant adverse impacts on the environment; and the Guidelines and Ordinance have been determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301(h), Class 1 - Existing Facilities (where the proposed project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use). Specifically, subsection (h), sets forth maintenance of existing landscaping as an example of such a project. Therefore, the adoption of the Guidelines and Ordinance qualifies as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption, pursuant to CEQA.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Staff does not anticipate that adoption of the Ordinance and Guidelines will have a direct fiscal effect.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Redline of Changes to the Proposed Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines
2. Proposed Resolution Establishing Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines
3. Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter §9.08 Streets and Sidewalks
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution Establishing Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines; and Adopting a Categorical Exemption relating thereto, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act; and
2. Adopt an Ordinance Amending Culver City Municipal Code Chapter §9.08 Streets and Sidewalks to Add Subchapter 9.08.700 entitled Parkway Landscaping Guidelines; and Repealing Section §9.10.035 of Chapter 9.10 of the Culver City Municipal Code, Planting, Cutting, Removal of Trees or Plants in Streets.