10/30/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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;~, NORTH OLMSTED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OCTOBER 30, 2000 Present: Council President Saringer, Council Members Gareau, Kasler, Limpert, Miller, McKay, Nashar, O'Grady Also Present: Law Director Gareau, Clerk of Council Seman Council President Saringer called the public hearing to order at 7:45 p.m. The public hearing is in regard to Ordinance No. 2000-118, an ordinance creating new Section 1139.12 of Chapter 1139 of the Zoning Code entitled "Irrigation of Landscaped Areas," so as to require that all landscaped areas located on parcels of land within the General Retail Business District be serviced by underground irrigation systems. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION James Burns, 3978 Dover Center Road, said there is a current ordinance on the books that requires commercial properties maintain their landscaping. He does not see the need for Council to tell them that they have to have underground sprinkling systems to do this. One of the drawbacks may be that the developers or property owners may go to other types of landscaping, such as brick pavers and stone, instead of landscaping that needs watering. He is not sure that would be in the best interest of the city. He understands that the Planning Commission had problems with this particular ordinance as well. He believes the city already has something in place, and the sprinkler system is a little bit of overkill for a situation that may not be that prevalent. Councilman Limpert asked if anyone knew whether other cities had such legislation in place, and no one knew of any. Councilman O'Grady said his concern with the legislation is that someone might end up doing the opposite of what is intended. Instead of beautifying the city, it might actually encourage a business not to do landscaping if there is a significant investment that would have to be made for an underground watering system. He doesn't know that this is going to accomplish the good thing that it is meant to accomplish. Mr. Burns asked if this legislation was prompted by a certain situation. Councilman Gareau said, when we look at the history of landscaping when incorporated in a development plan/redevelopment plan for a city, you can find many incidents where the plans are not either being adhered to or they're being misdirected right out of the gate. Claque and Lorain is a classic example where they planted a significant row of trees to protect Mrs. Sturgeon, who lives on Claque Road, and who was up here every single meeting to discuss the issue. They planted a row of trees, and then the people let them die. When he brought it to the attention of the Building Department, the developer