FEBRUARY 15, 2023:
The Pierre City Commission has approved changes to the town’s commercial landscape ordinance.
Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says the updated ordinance gives property owners more flexibility for how they integrate landscape design on their property. He says Pierre staff will help developers and property owners understand how the points-based system works and what needs to be done to comply with the new ordinance.
Park and Recreation Director Bryan Tipton says under the changed ordinance, 10% of commercial lots will need to be landscaped in accordance with a points-based system. The requirement can be met without tree plantings and greenspace is no longer required along street frontage. He says nothing in the new ordinance prevents property owners from installing more landscaping than the minimums outlined in the ordinance.
Consistent with the old ordinance, the landscaping rules only apply to new commercial developments and major redevelopments of existing commercial property.
City Administrator Kristi Honeywell says the goal is to not hinder development while also preventing commercial corridors from becoming a sea of concrete. She says these changes should give developers the flexibility they need while still encouraging some degree of ambiance and environmental health.
The ordinance changes are effective March 10, 2023.
Ordinance language can be found at cityofpierre.org.
FEBRUARY 2, 2023:
The Pierre City Commission heard recommendations at their meeting this week (Jan. 31, 2023) that would change the city’s landscape ordinance.
City Planner Sharon Pruess says the goal of the changes is to make the ordinance more flexible and encourage economic progress while also keeping the community healthy and visually pleasing. She says they’re working to find the right balance between development and landscaping in commercial areas.
For all new commercial developments and major redevelopment of existing commercial property, the current ordinance requires a 10 foot landscape strip along the street frontage of lots and one tree per 50 feet of street frontage. The recommended changes require that 10% of a lot be landscaped in accordance with a points-based system and the requirements can be achieved without trees on the property.
Pruess says the ordinance becomes less prescriptive; it doesn’t dictate where the landscaping must be and allows property owners to mix and match landscaping features to meet the thresholds of the ordinance.
City Administrator Kristi Honeywell says they know greenspace provides environmental and health benefits. She says nothing in the plan would prohibit property owners from installing more landscaping than the minimums outlined in the draft ordinance.
The recommended change to Pierre’s landscaping ordinance will be back in front of the City Commission for a public hearing and commission consideration Feb. 14, 2023.
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