A. Any tree, shrub, plant, fence, or screen installed to satisfy the requirements of this chapter must meet the following requirements:
1. Trees must be a minimum of seven feet (7') in overall height immediately after planting and must be a minimum of three inches (3") caliper. Trees having an average mature crown spread of less than fifteen feet (15') in diameter may be grouped in sufficient number so as to create the equivalent of a fifteen foot (15') crown spread. Any trees or plants used to meet the requirements of these regulations are recommended to be one of the preferred trees or plants listed in section 9-6-11 of this chapter.
2. If residential or nonresidential property owners wish to use palms instead of the trees on the list, the property owners shall provide two (2) palm trees for every one shade or ornamental tree required by this code.
3. Shrubs must have a minimum of two feet (2') in height when measured immediately after planting. When used for screening purposes, the shrubs must not be separated by more than two and one-half feet (21/2'). Whenever hedges are used to meet a screening requirement, the plants must be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous, unbroken, solid, visual screen within one year of planting.
4. Vines must be a minimum of thirty inches (30") in height immediately after planting and may be used in conjunction with fences to meet physical barrier/buffer requirements. Any buffer fence installed to meet the requirements of these regulations must, unless otherwise specified, be constructed of wood, stone, brick, masonry, stucco, or concrete.
5. Ground covers used in place of grass, in whole or in part, must be planted to present a finished appearance and reasonable complete coverage within three (3) months after planting.
6. Grass must be of a species normally grown as permanent lawns in the Texas Rio Grande Valley region.
7. Earthen berms shall have side slopes not to exceed three to one (3:1) (3 feet of horizontal distance for each 1 foot of height). All berms shall contain necessary drainage provisions, as may be required by the project/city engineer.
8. Solid sod must be used to provide coverage and soil stabilization in swales or other areas subject to erosion.
9. Detention and retention basins and ponds must be landscaped with shade and ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges, or other plants.
10. Indigenous and drought resistant plant material should be used, but if not used, an irrigation system shall be installed or a watering source made readily available within one hundred feet (100'). (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)