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Commission recommends vegetation protection ordinance: 60% native plants, invasive species ban
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the City Council adopt a new Article 11, Division 6 requiring 60% native species in commercial/office/industrial landscape plans, a prohibited invasive species list, and an exemption for plants required by state engineering manuals; staff will add definitions and schedule a public hearing.
The Peachtree City Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt a text amendment creating Division 6 of Article 11 to set vegetation protection and landscape requirements for non‑residential sites.
Commissioner Hamner, who led the effort, presented a revised draft after a year of discussions. The commission selected "Option 2," which requires 60% native plants on applicable landscape plans, includes an invasive species ban and allows substitution flexibility. The draft establishes a city‑maintained approved native plant list (Section 11‑37) and a prohibited invasive species list (Section 11‑38); in the interim the Georgia Native Plant Society Piedmont list would serve as the reference.
Hamner explained a carve‑out for the "blue/green book" (state drainage and soil manuals): plants required by those engineering manuals are exempt from the 60% native calculation so developers are not penalized for complying with state‑engineered drainage or soil‑stabilization requirements. "Those manuals take precedence over this division in all areas of conflict," he said.
Commissioners praised the research and deliberation. Several raised the need for clearer definitions and consistent terminology; Commissioner Chris recommended either defining "regulated site" in the applicability section or ensuring the term is used consistently throughout the draft. Hamner said definitions for "native plant" and "invasive species" should be added to Article 2 (Section 11‑02) before adoption and the draft should be circulated to staff for final review.
Commissioner Hamner moved to recommend approval of the vegetation protection text amendment with an adjusted "regulated site" term; Commissioner Allen seconded. The commission approved the recommendation by voice vote. Staff said a public hearing will be scheduled and, following public comment and a commission vote, the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for consideration.
