Council tables second reading of landscaping ordinance after questions on scope and enforcement

The City Council of Crooks heard a presentation from Jeff, the city’s planning and zoning representative, on Ordinance 372, an amendment to the city’s 2023 zoning regulations that would add a point-based approach to landscaping and architectural standards for new development. Jeff said the point system would tie requirements to property square footage to simplify permit review, noting it was modeled on neighboring communities: "What we have before you is an amendment to the current landscaping ordinance ... it will use a point system, which is something that's very common in the planning zone world," he said.

Council members pressed for details about implementation and scope. A council member asked whether the ordinance would affect existing properties; Jeff replied, "It does not affect existing property." Other questions centered on enforcement—whether requirements would be handled through building permits and code enforcement—and on how credits or alternative compliance (for example, substituting credits instead of planting trees) would be applied. Chair (speaker 1) moved to approve the ordinance but the motion received no second and died; the council later voted to table reconsideration to the April 13 meeting so staff and members can review outstanding implementation questions.