The following design principles shall be applied in conjunction with the design and buffering standards of this article:
A. Natural Landscapes. Landscape designs should preserve and enhance existing natural landscapes, specimen trees, and native vegetation. Where previous landscaping has dramatically altered natural landscapes, new designs should re-establish original landscape patterns and plantings.
B. Composition. The quality of a landscape design is dependent not only on the quantity and selection of plant materials but also on how that material is arranged. Landscape materials should be arranged in a manner as to provide textured appearance and contrasting color through the use of a variety of plant materials. The three-dimensional form of the landscaping should be considered, so that the final design presents a coherent whole.
C. Buffering and Screening. The use of natural landscape materials (trees, shrubs, hedges) is preferred over the sole use of human-made materials, such as buffer walls and fences, for buffering differing land uses, for providing a transition between abutting properties, and for screening the view of any parking, storage, or service areas visible from a public street or pedestrian area.
D. Responsive to Local Character. Landscape designs should build on the unique physical characteristics of the site and general area, conserving and complementing existing natural features. Naturalistic design elements such as staggered plant spacing, undulating berm contours, and mixed proportions of plant species should be used to ensure that new landscaping blends in and contributes to the quality of the surrounding area.
E. Use of Drought Resistant and Native Plants. Landscape designs should utilize drought tolerant plant materials to the maximum extent feasible. The use of drought-tolerant plants should enrich the existing landscape character, conserve water and energy, and provide as colorful and varied a visual appearance as plants that require more water. Landscape designs should feature native and/or related plant species, especially in areas adjacent to existing native vegetation, to take advantage of the unique natural character and diversity of the region and the adaptability of native plants to local environmental conditions. Where feasible, the re-establishment of native habitats should be incorporated into the landscape design. Plant selection should be based on the plant's adaptability to site conditions and existing native plant communities, particularly considering appropriate hardiness zones, soil type and moisture conditions, light, mature plant size, desired effect, color, and texture. Plant species that are drought-tolerant and freeze-tolerant are preferred.
F. Continuity and Connection. Landscaping should be designed within the context of the surrounding area, provided that the landscaping is also consistent with these design principles. Whether the design intent and surrounding landscape is naturalistic or formal, plant materials and design should blend well with adjacent properties, particularly where property edges meet, to create a seamless and natural landscape.
G. Enhancing Architecture. Landscape designs should be compatible with and enhance the architectural character, features, and scale of the buildings on-site, and help relate the building to the surrounding landscape. Major landscape elements should be designed to complement architectural elevations and rooflines, through color, texture, density, and form on both vertical and horizontal planes.
H. Energy Conservation and Sustainable Design. Attention should be given to locating landscape elements in a manner that supports energy conservation. Large tree canopies should be utilized to provide daytime shading for buildings, reducing energy consumed for interior air conditioning. Landscape designs should also consider natural drainage features and the use of pervious surfaces and areas to minimize stormwater runoff. The use of pervious surfaces is preferred, therefore impervious surfaces and materials within landscaped areas should be limited to borders, sidewalks, step stones, and other similar materials. Gravel, river rock, shell and similar materials should be used minimally because they increase the need for herbicide use, have no habitat value, reflect rather than absorb heat, and do no produce oxygen like plants. Finally, the solar orientation of the project and its relationship to other properties should be considered as this may produce microclimate exposures (e.g., sun vs. shade, southern exposure vs. northern exposure, surrounded by heat-reflective surfaces, etc.).
I. Quality Pedestrian Environment. Landscape designs should give special attention to ensure a safe and attractive pedestrian environment. In high activity areas, such as commercial and workplace settings, benches, kiosks, artwork, and other streetscape elements should be incorporated into landscape designs. Pedestrian access to sidewalks or buildings should be considered in all landscape designs, with special consideration of pedestrian sightlines, especially at crosswalks.
J. Pesticide Management.
1. Generally. All applications of pesticides, including weed and feed products, for hire should be made in accordance with federal and state law and with the Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries or latest supplement thereof.
2. Integrated Strategy. Property owners and managers are encouraged to use an Integrated Pest Management Strategy as currently recommended by the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Publications.
K. Site Preparation, Maintenance, and Cutting.
1. Generally. Landscape maintenance for hire should be performed in accordance with recommendations in the Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries. In no case should grass clippings, vegetative material, and/or vegetative debris either intentionally or accidently, be washed, swept, or blown off into stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, water bodies, wetlands, or sidewalks or roadways. When mowing near a shoreline, direct the chute away from the water body. Riparian or littoral zone plants that do not require mowing or fertilization should be planted in these areas.
2. Shoreline Considerations.
a. Grading and Design. Grading and design of property adjacent to bodies of water shall conform to federal, state, and city regulations, including but not limited to the use of berms and/or swales to intercept surface runoff of water and debris that may contain fertilizers or pesticides.
b. Low Maintenance Zone. A voluntary six (6) foot low maintenance zone is recommended from any pond, stream, water course, lake, wetland, or from the top of a seawall. A swale/berm system is recommended for installation at the landward edge of this low maintenance zone to capture and filter runoff. If more stringent city regulations apply, this principle does not relieve the requirement to adhere to the more stringent regulations. No mowed or cut vegetative material should be deposited or left remaining in this zone or water. Care should be taken to prevent the over-spray of aquatic weed products in this zone.
c. Miscellaneous. Also refer to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) "Florida Waterfront Property Owners Guide" or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Invasive Plant Management Section." Where water levels vary considerably, care must be taken in the selection of these plants. Mangrove trimming shall be performed in accordance with Florida Statutes. The Florida Waterfront Property Owners Guide should be referred to for additional information about Florida-Friendly shoreline practices.
(Ord. 10-025, passed 12-7-10; Am. Ord. 11-019, passed 8-2-11)