The new Landscape Design Standards (external link) were approved by the Board of Aldermen on January 7, 2025.
As part of the Architectural Design Standards Project, the City reviewed the existing site and landscape standards. The original standards were approved in February 2017 and dictated plant type, specification, plant species, and tree diversity.
The text amendment includes the following sections within Parkville Municipal Code Chapter 407 (external link):
- Intent and Applicability: States the goals of the chapter and purpose of having adopted site and landscape design standards.
- Site and Landscape Design Standards: Establishes definitions/terminology, open space requirements for new development, parking lot design + landscaping standards, planting & species requirements, and performance criteria.
- Screens, Fencing, and Site Walls: Establishes buffer size and planting requirements, fence screening specifications, and standards for site walls and retaining walls.
- Outdoor Lighting: Contains performance standards for exterior lighting.
- Stormwater Management: Contains best management practices and strategies for stormwater mitigation.
- Submittal Requirements: Establishes contents required for submittal of site landscape plans.
The Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Aldermen reviewed the proposed text amendments at several different public meetings:
- Final proposed text amendment presented to the Board of Aldermen on December 17, 2024. The second reading of the amended bill was presented at the January 7, 2025, (external link) Board of Aldermen meeting and approved.
- Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing was held on December 10, 2024 (external link)
- Draft of the landscape and site design standards presented at a joint work session with the Board of Aldermen and Planning & Zoning Commission on August 20, 2024 (external link)
