El Paso City Council OKs More Landscaping For New Businesses

El Paso city council voted Tuesday to toughen requirements when it comes to landscaping for new business developments.

The new guidelines will require developers of business spaces and shopping centers to add landscaping and include one tree for every 30 feet of parkway, the area between the sidewalk and street.

Developers will also have to add a tree for every 30 feet of frontage space, the area between the sidewalk and parking lot.

In total, developers will be responsible for landscaping 15% of all new properties, a suggestion from city’s Open Space Advisory Board subcommittee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Tree subcommittee.

“(The added landscaping) provides some level of visual interest and provides a comfortable walking environment with shade,” Mathew McElroy of the city’s planning and development department said Monday.

McElroy added that 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 that 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.

Monday, El Paso Greater Chamber of Commerce President Richard Dayoub told ABC-7 additional landscaping costs, including watering, would, ultimately, be passed along to shopping center tenants and then consumers.

Tuesday’s vote was 6-2 with representatives Eddie Holguin and Carl Robinson voting against the new guidelines.

Holguin told ABC-7 he feels businesses have a tough enough time succeeding without any added costs.