On October 15, 2019, the City Council approved Ordinance 2019-2166 which provided for development standards for vehicle sales dealerships which included new landscaping requirements in and around the parking and display areas of these establishments. In some cases the landscaping required to be added will be substantial, due to the lack of landscaping currently existing. In order to assist these businesses in coming into compliance with this ordinance, we have developed a Commercial Landscape Improvement Grant Program.
The Commercial Landscape Improvement Grant Program offers financial assistance in the form of a reimbursable, matching (50%) grant up to $25,000 to the landlord or business owner for eligible expenses associated with improving the external appearance of their business and to encourage businesses to invest in their operations.
Projects and items eligible for funding under the program are, but not limited to:
• Landscaping around buildings and lot perimeter, for buffers, parking lot islands, green space, stormwater ponds/swales, planters, etc.
• Parking lot re-paving, re-sealing, re-striping.
• Irrigation.
• Demolition/removal of asphalt/concrete/impervious surfaces to add landscape areas.
The grant is modeled after the existing Commercial Façade Grant program and will provide another tool in our "Commercial Incentives" toolbox.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Commercial Landscape Improvement Grant program.
BUDGET / FISCAL IMPACT:
$200,000 is budgeted annually for "Commercial Incentives" programs. This grant program would be included in this budget line.