HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCE 1886-2000Suggested by: Councilman Bannock
CITY OF KENAI
ORDINANCE N0. 1886-2000
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AMENDING
THE KMC 14.25 TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL OF
LANDSCAPING/ SITE PLANS.
WHEREAS, landscaping/ site plans must now be approved by the Planning and Zoning
Commission; and,
WHEREAS, due to scheduling of the Commission meetings, the issuance of building
permits may be delayed; and,
WHEREAS, to alleviate unnecessary delays in issuing building permits, it is in the best
interest of the public to provide for Administrative review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that KMC 14.25 is amended as appears in Attachment A.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this first day of
November, 2000.
Carol L. r'reas
Introduced: October 19, 2000
Adopted: November 1, 2000
Effective: December 1, 2000
Chapter 14.25
LANDSCAPING/SITE PLAN REGULATIONS
14.25.010 Intent.
(a} Site Plans: It is the intent of this section to provide for orderly and safe development of the
City commensurate with protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, and adequate
and convenient open spaces, light, and air, in order to avoid congestion of commercial and
industrial areas.
(b) Landscaping Plans: It is the intent of this section to provide for landscaping and/or the
retention of natural vegetation in conjunction with commercial and industrial development
within the City of Kenai. The general purpose of landscaping is to visually enhance the City's
appearance and reduce erosion and storm runoff.
14.25.020 Application.
This section shall apply to all commercial and industrial development and all development of
$20,000 or more in the Townsite Historic Zone (TSH) within the City of Kenai and shall apply to
both the landscaping and site plans. "Commercial and industrial development" and "all
development" shall be defined as any improvements requiring a building permit for new
construction or any improvements of $20,000 or more, which adds square footage, located on
properties within the Central Commercial (CC), General Commercial (CG), Heavy Industrial
(IH), Townsite Historic (TSH), and Light Industrial (IL) zoning districts. It shall be unlawful for
any person to construct, erect or maintain any structure, building, fence, or improvement,
including landscaping, parking, and other facilities on property designated as a commercial tract
unless such improvements are constructed or reconstructed in a manner consistent with the
approved plan.
14.25.030 Landscaping/site plan--Submittal requirements.
Three (3) copies of the landscaping/sitep1an (11 x 14 size) shall be submitted for approval to the
[PLANNING SPECIALIST] Administrative Official prior to the issuance of a building permit.
One copy of the approved plans shall be returned to the applicant; one copy filed; and the third
copy showing action taken, filed with the Building Official. The landscaping/site plan shall be
prepared at a minimum scale of 1" = 20' and shall include the following information:
(a) Common and scientific name of the planting materials to be used in the project;
(b) Typical planting details;
(c) Location of all planting areas and relationship to buildings, parking areas, and driveways;
(d) Identification and location of existing vegetation to be retained;
(e) Identification and location ofnon-living landscaping materials to be used;
(f) Identification of on-site snow storage areas;
(g) Drainage patterns;
(h} Description of buildings, including building height, ground floor dimensions, kinds of
building materials, type of architecture anticipated;
(i) Physical features of the property including location of all buildings, ingress and egress, any
unusual features of the property which may restrict development or drainage.
Attachment A Page 1 of 3
1.4.25.035 Landscapinglsite plan.
Submittal of apreliminary landscaping/site plan and approval by the [PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMISSION] Administrative Official is required prior to any land clearing and/or
tree cutting.
14.25.040 Landscaping plan--Performance criteria.
(a)' Obj ectives for Landscaping Plan: An effective landscaping plan should utilize a variety of
techniques for achieving the intent of this ordinance. The appropriate placement or retention of
vegetation in sufficient amount will provide the best results. Perimeter, interior, and parking lot
landscaping should be included as components of the overall landscaping plan.
(b) Perimeter Landscaping: Perimeter landscaping involves the land areas adjacent to lot lines
within the property boundary. This buffer landscaping serves to separate and minimize the
impact between adjacent land uses. Buffer landscaping mar be desirable along the perimeter of
the property to shield vehicular or building lights from adjacent structures and to provide a visual
separation between pedestrians and vehicles.
(c) Interior Landscaping: Interior landscaping involves those areas of the property exclusive of
the perimeter and parking lot areas. Interior landscaping is desirable to separate uses or activities
within the overall development. Screening or visual enhancement landscaping is recommended
to accent or complement buildings, to identify and highlight entrances to the site, and to provide
for attractive driveways and streets within the site.
(d) Parking Lot Landscaping: Parking lot landscaping involves the land areas adjacent to or
within all parking lots and associated access drives. Parking lot landscaping serves to provide
visual relief between vehicle parking areas and the reminder of the development. It also is
desirable for the purpose of improving vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns.
(e) Maximum Required Landscaping: The [LANDSCAPING/SITE PLAN REVIEW BOARD]
Administrative Official shall not require more than five percent (5%) of any project area to be
landscaped.
(~ Review: The [PLYING AND ZONING COMMISSION] Administrative Official may
reconsider plans for amendments aver they have been approved if problems arise in carrying out
the landscaping/site plan as originally approved.
14.25.045 Site plan--Performance criteria.
(a) Objectives: An effective site plan should utilize a variety of techniques for achieving the
intent of this ordinance. The appropriate placement or retention and improvements of buildings,
parking lots, etc. should be considered on the site plan.
(b) Buildings: A commercial or industrial use housed in the building is to be compatible with the
surrounding properties, land use plan, and not be hazardous to the health, safety, and welfare of
citizens.
(c) Special Permits: The site plan shall list any special permits or approvals which maybe
required for completion of the project.
(d) Parking Lots: Parking lots referenced on the site plan shall comply with KMC 14.25.250.
Attachment A Page 2 of 3
(e) Snow Storage/Removal and Drainage: Snow storage/removal and drainage as referenced on
the site plan shall be compatible with the surrounding area.
14.25.050 [PLA~G AND ZONING COMMISSION.] A royal.
[MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS:] The [COMMISSION] Administrative Official shall
[MEET TO] review and take action on a landscaping and site plan within fourteen (14) days of
satisfactory submittal. The Building Official shall issue a building permit upon approval of the
a~ociated landscaping/site plan [BY THE COMMISSION] or the expiration of fourteen (14)
days without official [COMMISSION] action, providing all of the other requirements for the
issuance of a building permit have been met. Any appeal of the action of the [COMMISSION]
Administrative Official shall be [SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE KENAI CITY
COUNCIL] in accordance with KMC 14.20.290.
14.25.060 Completion--Landscaping plan.
All required landscaping as presented in the approved landscaping plan shall be installed prior to
the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. In the event that the landscaping has not been
completed upon request for the Certificate of Occupancy, the Building Official may grant a
temporary certificate not to exceed nine (9) months.
14.25.065 Completion--Site plan.
All requirements as outlined in Section 14.25.045 shall be installed according to the site plan as
approved by both developer and [PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION] the
Administrative Official. All restrictions cited in Section 14.25.060 shall apply to this section.
Attachment A Page 3 of 3