Council reviews draft landscape ordinance changes aimed at more trees and xeriscape options

Tara Bradley of the Planning Department presented draft amendments to the comprehensive zoning landscape regulations to the City of Farmers Branch Council on July 21, proposing new minimum requirements for trees on newly developed or redeveloped lots, higher landscape-area percentages for multifamily and nonresidential uses, and language to allow managed natural landscapes (xeriscape and pollinator gardens).

“...the purpose of the amendment here is to update minimum landscape requirements, improve landscape use transitions, and update terminology and definitions to support this amendment,” Bradley told council members, noting the project has been in process and previously gone before the planning-and-zoning body.

Among the proposed changes, the draft would add a residential tree requirement for new developments and redevelopments (the draft sets a current 3-inch minimum caliper for single‑family trees but staff said they will revisit size ranges on council feedback), require a larger percent of lot coverage for multifamily properties and add parking-lot landscaping to the totals, and incorporate managed natural landscapes such as drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plantings.

Council members broadly supported increased landscape standards but raised several operational concerns. Councilman Neal — who said he participated on the 2023 planning subcommittee — warned against excessive regulation of private residential property, questioned whether code enforcement could manage new maintenance standards (trimming, aeration, edging, fertilization), and asked for clearer language around grandfathering for existing residential lots and what constitutes redevelopment. He also urged caution on irrigation-plan requirements and on subjective standards such as “neighborhood compatibility.”

Councilwoman Bennett asked staff to clarify whether redevelopment means a complete demolition-and-rebuild and whether plant approvals should be handled by a department designee rather than the city manager; staff said they would verify code language and confirmed a designee (typically the department director) normally handles such approvals.

Council members urged retention of xeriscape options and called for a publicly available plant list and seasonal flexibility for replacement requirements (for example, replacing dead plants within 30 days should consider planting seasons). Bradley said staff will incorporate council feedback and bring revised language back to planning-and-zoning and council for adoption.