New Landscaping Ordinance is Being Considered in Delaware County

In the near future, developers of multifamily housing units and mobile home parks might have to consider landscaping the grounds thanks to a proposed landscape ordinance.

At their recent meeting, the Okeechobee County, Del. Board of County Commissioners discussed a proposed landscaping ordinance. Landscaping has been under discussion for a while, but this is the first time a proposed ordinance has actually been considered.

Planning official Bill Royce presented the proposed ordinance that was supplied by Terry Burroughs of Okeechobee Main Street.

Royce suggested that, at this time, the county not adopt landscaping regulations for single-family dwellings or for small developments or additions that would not be subject to the site plan review process. He said that impact fees would soon be imposed and he feared that a landscape ordinance on top of that would further increase the cost of a single-family dwelling.

The proposed ordinance calls for a minimum of one tree and five shrubs per residential unit in multiple family zoning. At least 50 percent of the required landscaping must be in front of the buildings. All pervious areas would have to be surfaced in manner to prevent wind and rain erosion. A non-residential structure in that same zoning would be required to have one tree and five shrubs for every 1,000 square feet of lot not covered by buildings or reserved for vehicular use.

Each mobile home lot in a mobile home park would have a minimum of one tree and five shrubs.

In any zoning district, native vegetation should be preserved and used as much as possible to meet landscape requirements. There is also a list of prohibited plants.

The proposed ordinance went on to say that landscaping should not restrict visibility at driveways and intersections.

It further required that plants that die would have to be replaced within six months.

The proposed ordinance would require submission of a landscape plan. Allowances are made for variances and exceptions.

“Time is of the essence,” noted commission chairman John Abney since it has been a while since the matter was first suggested.

The consensus of the commissioners was to have a joint workshop with the planning board to discuss the proposed ordinance.