Title
RESOLUTION NO. R-1213-99: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ENCOURAGING THE USE OF DROUGHT-RESISTANT OR OKLAHOMA-PROVEN TREES AND SHRUBS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE AESTHETICS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CITY OF NORMAN DURING PERIODS OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Oversight Committee met on January 9, 2013 to discuss this topic. At that meeting, the Committee requested Staff draft a Resolution that encourages the use of drought-resistant or Oklahoma-proven plants within the City of Norman. They also asked Staff to review and update Appendix F of Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances in order to have a more current list of tree and shrub species that are recommended for planting in this area.
DISCUSSION: The attached Resolution, R-1213-99, states that City Council wants to encourage the use of drought-resistant or Oklahoma-proven plants. It also recognizes that the State of Oklahoma, over the last century, has experienced repetitive drought cycles, and current data indicates that Oklahoma is in another drought period. Because of the drought conditions, the Resolution declares that the use of such plant materials will help to ensure that landscaped areas of City-owned property or private developments will improve the aesthetics and quality of life in the City of Norman during periods of drought conditions.
If adopted by the Council, the Resolution directs City staff to plant drought-resistant or Oklahoma-proven plants on all new City projects and in cases of replacement of plants on City property. Staff is also directed to make available an informational guide to the public that encourages the use of drought resistant plant species. Lastly, Staff is directed to draft an amendment to Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances that updates the list of approved plants for new commercial developments within the City of Norman in accordance with this Resolution.
RECOMMENDATION: Following the review of the proposed Res...
Click here for full text