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Council adopts landscaping code change to streamline administrative reviews; 4-1 vote
Summary
On second reading the McMinnville City Council adopted Ordinance No. 51 56, amending zoning code Chapter 17.57 (landscaping) to allow applications meeting clear, objective standards to be reviewed administratively and reserve Landscape Review Committee consideration for discretionary requests. Vote: 4–1.
The McMinnville City Council on May 27 adopted Ordinance No. 51 56, amending Title 17, Chapter 17.57 (landscaping) of the McMinnville Municipal Code to change the review process for landscaping-related development applications.
Taylor Graybell (senior planner) was not present to present; the presentation was made on Graybell’s behalf by staff who explained the ordinance addresses process efficiencies. The adopted change directs that applications which clearly comply with the code’s objective standards will be reviewed administratively rather than routed to the Landscape Review Committee. Applicants who propose alternatives to the clear, objective standards may still take their proposal to the Landscape Review Committee for discretionary review.
Staff said the change is intended to reduce staff time and applicant costs; the presentation estimated roughly 200 hours of staff time and about $15,000 in applicant savings annually from the administrative review pathway. The ordinance was described as part one of a two-part set of landscaping code amendments, with a separate trees chapter to follow. The staff presentation also noted minor scrivener edits between first and second reading (a corrected title block and a wording change in the where-as statement replacing "trees" with "landscaping").
Councilor Chris Chenoweth moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Cunningham seconded. The roll-call vote was: Councilor Cunningham — Aye; Councilor Tukulski — Aye; Councilor Chenoweth — Aye; Councilor Geary — Nay; Council President Peralta — Aye. Ordinance No. 51 56 passed by a vote of 4 ayes and 1 nay.
The ordinance approves findings for docket G2-24 and becomes part of the city’s zoning code amendments governing landscaping review. No other code changes beyond the described procedural/administrative routing were made in the adopted language on second reading.
Council discussion was limited; staff noted the ordinance focuses on administrative efficiency rather than substantive changes to landscaping standards. The Landscape Review Committee will continue to handle discretionary requests that depart from objective criteria.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance No. 51 56 — Adopted (4–1).
