10-27-1988 (Parks & Recreation) Minutes PARK AND RECREATION BOARD WORKSHOP
MINUTES
OCTOBER 27. 1988
The City of Wylie Park and Recreation Board met in a
workshop session on Thursday. October 27th. 1988 in the
Conference Room. City Managers Office at the Municipal
Complex . A quorum was present and notice of the meeting had
been posted in the time and manner required by law. Those
present were Chairman D. F. Whitlow. Board Members Joanie
Zeeb. Jim Ferguson. and Jill Tomek. City Manager John
Pitstick. and Secretary Lisa Keith. Board Members Ron
Ferguson. John Smyder . and Bill Emsoft were absent.
Chairman Whitlow called the meeting to order .
DISCUSSION OF A LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE TO PREPARE FOR P&Z
MEETING : Mr . Pitstick introduced Mr . Dick Harper . who is
experienced in the Landscaping Ordinance field, to the Board
Members , and explained that he invited him to attend this
meeting so that he may assist with the discussion.
Mr . Pitstick said that he has been involved with Landscaping
Ordinance in the past and would like to express his
concerns. Mr . Pitstick said that he does support
Landscaping Ordinances , but because the City is small . and
has limited staff , he asked the Board to keep the proposal
simple so the staff could review it without too much
complication. Mr . Pitstick pointed out that most Cities of
this size enforce ordinances that are basic and simple.
John Pitstick expressed his concern about a section of the
proposed ordinance requiring a ten foot strip of frontage be
landscaped on major thoroughfares. He felt that this would
be a hardship on businesses purchasing small lots. The ten
foot frontage requirement may not leave enough space in the
lot for them to erect the building and have ample parking.
This would force them to purchase an additional lot. Mr .
Pitstick suggested that the ordinance require 10% of the lot
size be landscaped with a strip or cluster at any frontage
location they choose. For example a cluster at the entry
way. We need to give some flexibility to the developer but
still require basic items . Jim Ferguson stated that he felt
as though visual value is most important and that 10% of
partial frontage areas wouldn' t give that effect.
Jill Tomek expressed her concern over whose responsibility
it would be to review and approve the developers landscaping
plans. Does the City employ an individual educated in this
area? John Pitstick said that Code Enforcement. Public
Works. Engineering. or even the Park Board could review the
plans .
Mr . Harper and the Park Board discussed landscaping terms .
such as berms and streetscaping ( see attached ) .
Mr . Harper stated that the downtown area could be beautified
into a historic area by having a one-way street, redesign
the parking, and widen the sidewalks . The Board Members
agreed that this was a good idea.
Joanie Zeeb said that the Board needed a list of trees and
shrubs that will survive in this area. Mr Pitstick said he
would obtain that information for them.
John Pitstick stated that the City needed to start out with
a simple Landscaping Ordinance and eventually add to it .
Jill Tomek and Joanie Zeeb strongly disagreed with the
initial ordinance being the basics only. If the ordinance
is too strict for a business then we don' t want them here.
The ordinance should contain all regulations from the
beginning. otherwise it would seem to defeat the purpose.
There being no other business or discussion a motion was
made to adjourn. The motion was seconded with all in favor .
D. F. Whitlow, Chairman
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Keith. Secretary