More Landscaping Requirements For New El Paso Businesses?

El Paso city council may vote Tuesday to force more green onto new business developments.

But local developers told ABC-7 the new proposal could end up costing them a lot more “green.”

The proposed guidelines would require developers of business spaces and shopping centers to add landscaping along with one tree for every 30 feet of parkway, the area between the sidewalk and street.

Developers would also have to add a tree for every 50 feet of frontage space, the area between the sidewalk and parking lot.

“It provides some level of visual interest and provides a comfortable walking environment with shade,” said Mathew McElroy of the city’s planning and development department.

McElroy said if the proposal passes, all existing shopping centers and businesses would be “grandfathered in.”

However, if a strip mall were to be torn down and re-built, he said it would then need to meet the new requirements.

McElroy said city council asked his department to review all current building codes to make sure they adhere to the new “smart growth” goals set by El Paso leaders.

Richard Dayoub, president of the El Paso Greater Chamber of Commerce, told ABC-7 he applauds the city for working with developers but hopes to find common ground when it comes to landscaping.

“We would like to reach a compromise that enables (city leaders) to accomplish what they want to do while not making the cost to produce that product so expensive,” Dayoub said.

He said any additional landscaping costs, including watering, would, ultimately, be passed along to shopping center tenants and then consumers.

Tuesday’s city council meeting begins at 8:30 a.m.