Committee approves referral for updated landscaping standards emphasizing native species

The Lake County Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee voted Sept. 3 to direct the Zoning Board of Appeals to hold a public hearing on proposed text amendments to Chapter 151 that would strengthen landscaping standards in unincorporated Lake County.

Staff said the proposed changes build on a 2024 set of native-species amendments and reflect additional recommendations from Openlands. The amendments would update parking-lot landscaping standards, incorporate best-practice maintenance guidance into Appendix A, and adjust the county’s list of acceptable plant species.

Eric Wagner and other planning staff told the committee they consulted Openlands’ subject-matter experts and a cost analysis that found incorporating native species generally produced equal or reduced short-term costs for developers and potential long-term savings because native plantings tend to survive better in the local climate. Staff noted the code already prohibits certain species (staff cited removal of Bradford pear from acceptable lists in prior amendments) and that the new package continues efforts to limit invasive or problematic species.

Member Wasick asked whether the provisions extend to highway rights-of-way; staff replied that the county lacks jurisdiction over highway authority plantings and that right-of-way landscaping follows different design and operational constraints, though county planting standards do apply to setbacks adjacent to rights-of-way on private property. Member Schlag suggested producing an informational paper emphasizing cost and environmental benefits; staff and Openlands were receptive to partnering on outreach.

The committee unanimously approved sending the landscaping amendments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a hearing (motion by Member Kanishniak, second by Member Campos). Staff said they will return to the committee after ZBA public hearings and legal review.