The lack of a landscape ordinance in Junction City was brought up again during Tuesday mornings Economic Development Commission Advisory Committee meeting.

Committee Member Gary Schoenrock explained that he feels the city needs at least a minimal landscape ordinance on the books.

“I think Junction City is to the point in its life and beauty of the community that we really need to have some minimum requirements for landscaping these new developments and new commercial areas,” said Schoenrock. “We’re primed for some great growth and now is the time, before we have anymore concrete only parking lots with no tree’s and no green areas, that for the future of this community and the appearance of our community it’s time to get something on the books.”

The Committee passed a motion to send the discussion on to the City Commission where it will likely go back to city staff to address the issue.

Other communities in the area that compete with Junction City for new business do have some type of ordinance on the books according to Dave Yearout, Zoning and Planning Administrator,”just in the immediate area Salina has standards, Manhattan has some standards.”

A landscape ordinance has been discussed before in the past and has not gained much support from city staff or the commission.

Yearout expects the matter to be on a City Commission agenda within the next couple of weeks.