This amendment modifies language to the UDO that recommends trees and plants.
This amendment repeals and replaces tables in the Unified Development Ordinance for recommended plant species in the City of Independence. These updated recommendations remove plants that are no longer recommended in our community and emphasizes plant species that are known to perform well in our landscape, provide significant community benefits, and enhance community character. This amendment also addresses aggressive, non-native species who presence causes or is likely to cause economic harm and damage to our public infrastructure. The intent of the amendment is to bring City code in line with State and regional guidance on invasive species, emerging pests, diseases, and recommended plant species for our landscape.
Currently the UDO recommends plant species such as Ash trees that are no longer recommended due to pests or diseases caused by the Emerald Ash Borer, an exotic beetle that has destroy many ash trees in Missouri. The death of these healthy trees costs our community for removal and lost ecosystem services, or requires careful use of systemic insecticides throughout a tree’s lifespan.
The UDO also recommends plants considered Missouri invasive species such as
Shrub honeysuckle and Callery (Bradford) pear, which can damage our natural resources and green infrastructure, and increase maintenance costs of our stormwater systems. There are also other plants currently listed considered top threats by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force. Removing these invasive plants from the UDO will help minimize additional spread of invasive plants and lessen the long-term impact of existing problem species. Plants considered invasive can have a direct impact on our economy causing the City, private landowners, and business economic loss by having to control or remove invasive and diseased plants and trees; our recommended plant list should not continue to contribute to the problem.
The plat species recommended in this UDO proposal will helps property and business owners choose the right plant for the right place. This amendment updates our recommendations with plant species that are better adapted to our community and climate. Invasive plant species are replaced with plants native to Missouri that are more adaptable to the challenging conditions of urbans sites with disturbed soils, soils with high clay content, and high soil pH, and our extreme weather events like floods, ice storms, and drought.
Our native plants typically have deeper root systems that increase the amount of stormwater absorbed into the ground, reducing flooding and water pollution impacts in our community. These plants are more drought tolerant and help reduce soil erosion and can help stabilize stream banks along stream corridors. These updated selections enhance our landscapes rather than degrade, while also reducing long-term maintenance costs, and improving water and air quality.
This UDO amendment recommends plants that are attractive, formal, and would be a point of pride for any business or property owner. That said, the updated plant recommendations serve as a guide in selecting trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants; there are many plants not listed that may be used as substitute with prior approval from the Community Development Department allowing stakeholders flexibility to propose an alternative planting plan. This amendment also increases the total number of approved plants than in the current UDO.
Staff believes the proposed amendment is necessary to reduce negative impacts of invasive plant species, reduce impacts to our stormwater management program, and better serve business and property owners with recommended plant species that are consistent with local and regional guidance, reduce maintenance costs, improve air and water quality, and enhance the community. The City’s Tree Commission and the Missouri Department of Conservation have also reviewed these UDO recommendations.
This amendment would repeal and replace the following sections in Article 503 of the UDO:
14-503-16(B) Recommended trees and plants
14-503-18(B) Trees and plants near overhead utility lines
14-503-17(B) Trees and plants specifically prohibited in the street rights-of-way.
Draft Planning Commission meeting minutes:
"Case 21-175-08– UDO Amendment #52 – Recommended Trees and Shrubs Regulations
Staff Presentation
Rick Arroyo explained this amendment to the Code is to repeal and replace the recommended plant species in the City of Independence. This updated list would remove plants that are no longer recommended in the community and emphasize plant and tree species that would perform well in our area and landscape. This amended would also help to remove Missouri non-native species that can cause harm economically and damage to public infrastructure. This amendment is intended to bring City code up to date with State and regional recommendations on invasive species, emerging pests, and diseases, as well as what is recommended for our area.
This would ultimately help property and business owners choose the right plant or tree that would be better adapted to our community and climate while keeping beauty intact. The amendment would also allow to increase the number of approved plants.
Public Comments
No public comments.
Motion
Commissioner Preston made a motion to approve Case 21-175-08– UDO Amendment #52 – Recommended Trees and Shrubs Regulations. Commissioner Ferguson seconded the motion. The motion passed with five affirmative votes."