RES-10392 Amending Orange City Landscape Standards & Specifications for Old TowneRESOLUTION NO.10392
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ORANGE AMENDING THE CITY OF
ORANGE LANDSCAPE STANDARDS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION DESIGN STANDARDS FOR OLD
TOWNE TO REFLECT CHANGES TO THE
LANDSCAPE AND PROVISIONS TO ADDRESS
ARTIFICIAL TURF.
APPLICANT: CITY OF ORANGE
WHEREAS, in June 2008 the State of California declared a statewide drought and
the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has been considering reducing city
water allotments and making water conservation mandatory; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Municipal Water District is undertaking projects
that will conserve water and reduce the County's dependence on imported water from
Northern California and the Colorado River; and
WHEREAS, the City finds it timely and prudent to implement landscape standards
and procedures that encourage drought tolerant low water use landscaping and to
accommodate the installation of artificial turf based on incentive programs offered by
Municipal Water District of Orange County and rising public interest in the use of artificial
turf in lieu of sod; and
WHEREAS, the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications provides
guidance for using drought tolerant landscape materials; and
WHEREAS, adherence to the City design standards and specifications in the
development approval process is critical to ensuring that landscape occurs in a manner that is
consistent with General Plan policies related to promoting commercial enterprise, but also
protecting the Old Towne Orange Historic District, other City neighborhoods and the
appearance and economic vitality of the City's commercial districts; and
WHEREAS, City regulations governing landscape are intended to promote a positive
visual image of the community, protect the historic integrity of Old Towne, and provide
guidance and expectations for proper installation, appearance and maintenance of landscape;
and
WHEREAS, the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit and General Plan policies seek to protect and preserve community public health and
the environment by maintaining and enhancing water permeability and preventing polluted
urban runoff from entering storm drainage systems; and
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2008, City Council directed staff to explore how to
better balance the provision of landscape with the aesthetic values of communities by
considering the appropriateness of current policies and regulations related to the use of
artificial turf in Old Towne and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after considering the proposed changes to
the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications and the Old Towne Orange
Design Standards at a public hearing held on June 1, 2009, recommended that the City
Council adopt said changes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Orange held a duly noticed public
hearing on June 23, 2009, to consider the Planning Commission recommendation to revise
the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications and the Old Towne Orange
Design Standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Orange hereby approves the revisions of the City of Orange Landscape Standards and
Specifications and the Old Towne Orange Design Standards, shown as Attachment A,
attached hereto, and incorporated herein, based on the following findings:
SECTION 1- FINDINGS
1. The revisions of the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications and the Old
Towne Orange Design Standards contribute to the implementation of the General Plan
and Land Use, Housing and Historic Preservation Elements by ensuring that the visual
quality of Orange neighborhoods and commercial districts, and Old Towne Orange
Historic District is maintained. The revisions also support the water conservation and
water quality policies provided in the Open Space and Conservation Element of the
General Plan.
2. The revisions of the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications and the Old
Towne Orange Design Standards incorporate updated standards and specifications that
address the City's concerns about water conservation and the visual impact artificial turf
may have on Old Towne Orange and the community at large.
SECTION 2-ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW The revisions to the City of Orange Landscape Standards and Specifications and
the Old Towne Orange Design Standards are categorically exempt from the provision of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section
15305 Class 5-Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations) based on the fact that they
represent a minor modification to standards and specifications with regards to appropriate
materials used citywide, including the Old Towne Orange area, and are not applicable to
a specific
development
ADOPTED this 25th day of August, 2009.
V~Cawecgl'ie, Mayor, City~of Orange
ATTF,ST:
Mary E ur y, City Cler of Orange
I, MARY E. MURPHY, City Clerk of the City of Orange, California, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of
the City of Orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the 25th day of August, 2009, by the
following vote:
AYES:COUNCILMEMBERS:Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
NOES:COUNCILMEMBERS:Smith
ABSENT:COUNCILMEMBERS:None
ABSTAIN:COUNCILMEMBERS:None
Mary u ,City Clerk Orange
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