Garden City council debates buffer-focused zoning changes, height limits and greenbelt setbacks

Garden City — At a Dec. 9 work session, the Garden City City Council reviewed a proposed code text amendment (CPA FY2024-4) aimed at creating new buffering rules, clarifying greenbelt setbacks and creating an optional lower-density R-3 zone, among other changes.

Director Jenna Thornborough summarized the package, which staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission presented as tools the city could use if it later chooses to rezone specific properties. "This is a code text amendment, commonly referred to as the buffers development code," Thornborough said during the presentation.

Council members pressed staff on three main issues: maximum building heights, how the code would change density calculations, and how buffering and landscape standards would be enforced and paid for. Thornborough said the draft contains multiple measures for privacy and buffering — vegetation screening, window placement and setbacks — and noted the draft would not rezone any property automatically if the council adopts it. "Should the council want to introduce a new zoning district that will not zone anybody's property in that action," she said, describing the amendment as a tool to be applied later.

Key provisions described by staff and discussed by council: - Greenbelt setbacks and fence heights: If a structure fronts the greenbelt the draft proposes a 15-foot setback; where the rear of a structure is adjacent to the greenbelt, a 30-foot setback is…