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Staff previews zoning overhaul: hours for medical uses, NAICS update and new tree-preservation rules
Summary
Planning staff presented draft zoning-ordinance amendments to set hours for personal and medical care uses, update NAICS references and create stronger tree-preservation and landscaping rules, including protected-tree permits and landscaping credits.
Planning staff presented a multi-part draft of proposed zoning ordinance changes that would add operational limits for certain uses, update industry code references, clarify the rezoning process and strengthen tree preservation and landscaping standards.
Staff said one aim is to add an hours-of-operation condition for personal care and medical uses to address issues from a recent special-use application, while explicitly permitting state-mandated 24-hour facilities where necessary. Staff also said the zoning ordinance’s NAICS references are outdated (the ordinance currently cites the 2007 version) and staff is evaluating whether to adopt a more current NAICS classification.
A significant component of the draft is new tree-preservation language. Staff proposed protecting certain species and sizes of trees, trees identified as landscaping-required specimens, and any trees in the public right of way or on city property; removal of protected trees would require a permit and a mechanism for appeal and City Council waiver. Staff said preserved trees would receive credits toward development landscaping requirements. The draft also proposes reducing parking-lot tree minimums from one tree per five spaces to one per 10 spaces, moving right-of-way planting requirements onto private property (one tree every 30 feet on private property), setting minimum planting-area sizes, and adding transitional buffer yard rules between residential and nonresidential uses.
Staff said the changes respond to community concern about indiscriminate tree removal and to practical concerns about long-term maintenance, canopy impacts on visibility and root conflicts in parking lots. Staff reported they have consulted interested citizens and plan to follow up with the parks board; they also said they had an initial conversation with an arborist and expect additional technical comments.
Timeline: staff plans a public hearing (planned for May) and expects to present the commission’s recommendation to City Council, with readings tentatively scheduled for May 5 and May 19 according to staff. Staff invited written comments and input prior to the public hearing.
