Resolution 577APLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 577A
A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL
OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL ZONING CODE TO SPECIFICALLY DELINEATE
THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF PLANT MATERIAL SCREENING DEVICES AT THE TIME OF INSTALL-
ATION AS SET FORTH IN FILE #ZO-12-77
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Edmonds pursuant
to proper notice and publication, held a public hearing on a proposal to amend
the Offical Zoning Code to specifically delineate the height and depth of plant
material screening devices at the time of installation, and to regulate the
height of fences and hedges; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide adequate screening of parking lots
and of buildings, all screening devices should be the required minimum height
at the time of installation; and
WHEREAS, plant materials should also be spaced in such a manner
as to form a solid, sight obscuring screen within a reasonable time period
as determined by the Amenities Design Board for the specific plant variety
proposed; and
WHEREAS, the height of landscaped screens should be established by
the Amenities Design Board based on the characteristics of the plant materials
used, provided the screens do not block views, sunlight, or create a safety or
traffic hazard; and
WHEREAS, there is a finding of no significant adverse environmental
impact on the proposed amendment; and
WHEREAS, said amendment is necessary to promote the public health,
safety and general welfare; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission recommends and forwards
to the City Council of said City, that the proposed amendment to the Official
Zoning Code as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto, be approved.
DATED this 2-2- day of February, 1978. 1
FILE #ZO-12-77
HEARING: 11/21/77 & 2/22/78
INITIATED BY: Staff
Cha n Edmonds Planning Commission
,r l
r
it ctor of ommunity Development
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.14.020 (H) (h) 3
e) Design of Screening and Landscaping Devices
1. Perimeter screening: Plant materials installed in
perimeter planting beds shall be three feet in height
when planted and shall form a solid, sight obscuring
screen.
2. Screening at side and rear property lines: When the
parking area abuts a side or rear property line a
screening device shall be installed along the prop-
erty line. The screening device may be a fence or
plantings but in no case shall it be less than 4
feet in height when installed.
3. Depth and mature height of landscape screening -
All required plantings shall be spaced during
installation so that they form a solid, sight
obscuring screen within a reasonable period of
time as determined by the Amenities Design
Board (ADB). The ADB shall also establish the
maximum height of plantings necessary to accomp-
lish the desired screening without blocking
views, sunlight, or creating a safety or traffic
hazard.
4. Waiver of screening device: The Director of
Community Development has the authority to waive
the requirement for screening devices for one
of the following conditions
a) when the abutting site is lower than the
subject site and contains a downward slope
of 451, for a distance of 3 feet from the
property line.
b) there is an existing Amenities Design Board
approved screening device along the property
line of the abutting site.
The Director shall state the reasons for the waiver and
place the waiver in the appropriate file.
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.14.040
General Requirements for Fences and Hedges
HEIGHT Unless authorized by the Amenities Design Board
Section 12.14.020 or the Board of Adjustment
as stated below, fences and hedges shall not be
constructed or intended to grow over 6 feet in
height, measured from the finished grade eleva-
tion of the soil on which it is located. Sight -
obscuring fences within 10 feet of any street
right-of-way or access easement shall be no
higher than 3 feet.
CORNER LOTS
Fences or hedges shall be no higher than 3 feet
when located within the corner setback shown
in the diagram below.
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HAZARDOUS FENCES
No fence or hedge shall constitute a traffic
or safety hazard.
nc'V T ATTnmC
The Director of Community Development is
authorized to grant deviations from the
3 foot height limit to a maximum of 6 feet
if the fence or hedge will not constitute
a traffic or safety hazard.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
The 6 foot height limitation may be exceeded
with the granting of a conditional use permit
by the Board of Adjustment. The Board shall
approve the application only if it finds the
following:
1) It will not unduly impair the views of
adjoining properties
2) It will not create a hazard to the public
health, safety or welfare.
Amendment to Section 12.13.030 (3) Tennis Court Fences
delete