Code of Ordinances
Hurst, Texas
Chapter 27 Zoning
Section 27-21i Landscaping
The Hurst landscape ordinance was enacted in order to improve the appearance of the city, promote the value of property, and enhance the citys ecological, environmental and aesthetic qualities. Specifically the code addresses issues such as reduction in urban heat island effect, noise, erosion, sedimentation and detention of storm water runoff. This code applies to all zoning districts other than single family residential.
Although the landscape code excludes single family residential from the requirements placed on other zoning districts, it does still require new single family and two family residential properties to plant 3 trees at least 3 in caliper, with at least 1 tree located in front of the front building line. The trees must be from the list of approved trees provided in the code.
The code requires a landscape plan that must be prepared by a landscape architect, certified nurseryman or master gardener. The drawing must be at a scale of no less than 1=200 and must show all landscaping materials, and landscape areas. The landscaping must be installed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
A minimum of 15% of the total lot area must be used for landscaping. The 15% required area must consist of living vegetative ground cover, trees or shrubs. A street yard requirement of 15 minimum along street rights of is required. The street yard must have one large tree and 10 shrubs for every 50 of street frontage. Existing trees within this area may be credited towards this requirement.
Parking lots are required to have a screening buffer with shrubs 30 tall spaced 3 on center. The code also gives the option of a 30 tall berm; the entire length must be vegetated. Interior landscape areas are required and must contain one large shade tree for every 20 spaces, each island must contain at least one shade tree. A minimum of 5% of the total lot area must be landscaped. The islands must be spaced so that no parking space is further than 100 from an interior shade tree.
The code requires a drive approach located on each side of an entrance drive, perpendicular to the property line. This area must be at least 18 x 6, this area begins at the back of the street yard buffer and extends into the property. It must be planted with shrubs placed 3 on center. The code also required buffers for incompatible land uses based on the two properties as in most codes.
The tree preservation credit for the site is given as an alternative to the 15% landscaping requirement. Existing trees as well as newly planted trees may be used to reduce the amount of landscaping required, a 1 tree counts towards 200 s.f. while trees 6 and over are credited with 1200 s.f. The total landscaping area may not be reduced below 10% when using credits. Irrigation is required for all landscape areas on the site.
This code has several unique features for landscape requirements, some good, and some bad. The use of tree credits towards reducing the percentage of landscaping areas in one, another is the requirement for entry drive plantings. The overall code is strong though it does not address all issues it states in its purpose, specifically detention of storm water runoff. The technical requirements should be adequate to ensure protection of the environment, though more emphasis to preserving existing trees and protecting them during construction is absent. The administrative requirements present some problems however. The requirement of a landscape plan drawn at 1=200 is insufficient to show any real detail, a typical code requires the plan to be at least 1=50. This perhaps relates to the second problem, a nurseryman or master gardener may draw the plans. Neither of these professions is trained or licensed to draw such plans and correct calculations and safety issues may be missed. A licensed professional such as a landscape architect of architect who is licensed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens should be required.
Dan Farrah