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Council adopts UDC changes to encourage masonry, adds tree‑fund and raises billboard buffer
Summary
Council unanimously approved updates to the Unified Development Code to encourage masonry via a design-elements point system, add a fee‑in‑lieu option for trees (directed to a dedicated fund) and increase the distance of billboards from residential zones to 1,000 feet.
The NorthlakeTown Council unanimously approved amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that revise exterior construction design standards, update landscaping and tree-protection rules and tighten billboard placement criteria.
Planning staff member Nathan explained the changes, which add a design-elements point system to encourage higher-quality exterior design. "Masonry can get you 4 points, and secondary materials can get you 2 points," Nathan said, summarizing the proposed point weights and the raised point thresholds for buildings of different sizes. The point system is intended to encourage, not require, certain materials in light of state preemption on building-material regulation.
Council added two amendments before the unanimous 6–0 vote: increasing the minimum distance from a residential zoning district to a billboard from 500 feet to 1,000 feet, and ensuring fees collected in lieu of on-site tree planting are deposited into a dedicated landscaping/tree fund rather than general revenues. Speaker 1 said staff would bring a fee-schedule amendment to specify the amount.
Planning and Zoning had heard the amendment and recommended approval; Nathan reminded council the action requires a public hearing before final action, which was held and closed the same evening with no speakers. Council asked staff to return with the fee schedule and to implement the dedicated fund for landscaping.
