Council advances UDC text amendments on trees, impervious cover and street design; asks staff for curb alternatives

The City Council on Aug. 26 approved a first reading of Unified Development Code amendments that reorganize tree-preservation rules, adjust impervious-cover allowances and add new street and traffic-calming standards; the council asked staff to bring alternative curb/traffic-calming language for the second reading.

Planning staff described the early-adoption package as three principal changes: updated tree-preservation language and credits, modest increases and flexibility in impervious-cover allocations (including pool pervious-area treatment), and new pedestrian and vehicle circulation standards aligned to the city’s future mobility plan.

Staff emphasized implementation via a development manual companion that will include technical detail and permit submittal requirements. Planning staff said the draft also adds a process for crediting removal of harmful vegetation, but the precise definition and guidance will be handled in the development manual so it can be updated by the planning director as practices evolve.

Traffic-calming and curb design debate A substantial portion of the discussion focused on curb type and traffic calming. Councilmembers raised concerns about mountable/rolled curbs versus standard vertical curbs. Critics noted that rolled curbs can encourage parking on sidewalks and may perform differently for storm drainage; supporters said rolled curbs can increase usable street width, improve access and work well in some neighborhoods. Staff said drainage design requirements remain (100-year flow must be contained in right-of-way) and that engineering review would be required for curb options.

Council action and direction - Planning staff said the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 7–0. - Council considered an amendment to remove Chapter 12 (street/transportation language) but the motion failed for lack of second. - Council then voted to approve the ordinance as presented and directed staff to return at second reading with options addressing mountable/rolled curb language and other traffic-calming details. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The amendments are intended to standardize tree mitigation, incentivize preservation, and update street design to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety in new subdivisions. The city plans to move tree mitigation fees into the fee schedule and to publish companion development-manual guidance to provide applicants with implementation details.

Clarifying details - Tree mitigation fee: staff will propose moving the fee into the city fee schedule; a workshop on the tree mitigation fee is scheduled before second reading. - Permitting and definition work: detailed submittal requirements and operational definitions (for example, “harmful vegetation”) will be issued in the development manual rather than the code text to allow more nimble updates. - Timeline: first reading Aug. 26; second reading and fee-workshop scheduled for Sept.; staff intends the code amendment and development manual companion to be effective Oct. 1.

Speakers (sources used in this report) - Zane (planning staff) (presented details of the UDC amendments) - Lua (transportation/planning staff) (addressed curb and drainage questions) - Councilmember Bennett (spoke in favor of preserving mountable-curb options for some residential areas) - Councilmember French (commented on drainage and speed implications) - Public commenter (Cody Pools representative) spoke in favor of increasing pervious area allowed for pools.

Authorities and process notes - Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation: 7–0 in favor of the amendments. - Staff cited use of the development manual to house implementation details that will be managed by the planning director.

Ending Council advanced the UDC text amendments on first reading and directed staff to return with curb and traffic-calming options to address council concerns about drainage, accessibility and safety. Staff will also return with the tree-mitigation fee incorporated into the fee schedule prior to the second reading.