The purpose of this chapter is to achieve the following:
A. Enhance the aesthetic appearance of all development throughout the City by providing standards related to the quality and functional aspects of landscaping.
B. Increase compatibility between abutting land uses and public rights-of-way by providing landscape screening and buffers.
C. Conserve water through the efficient use of irrigation, appropriate plant materials, and regular maintenance of landscaped areas.
D. Protect public health, safety, and welfare by preserving and enhancing the positive visual experience of the built environment, providing appropriate transition between different land uses, preserving neighborhood character, and enhancing pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety.
E. Assist in mitigating air quality impacts by reducing or absorbing pollutants, especially by preserving existing or adding new trees.
F. Reduce heat absorption and radiation created by large expanses of paving.
(Ord. 2185, 2440 §44)
A. All projects, including additions and facade remodels, except single-family residential, shall provide and maintain landscaping in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Standards for the provision of landscaping within the public right-of-way in conjunction with a development project are located in Title 18 (Subdivisions).
B. Landscape plans and all plans for the ornamental use of water, including but not limited to lakes, ponds, and fountains, shall be submitted for review for compliance with these requirements. Landscaping shall not be installed until the applicant receives approval of the final landscape plan. Any changes to the approved landscape plans that affect the character or quantity of the plant material or irrigation system design are required to be resubmitted for approval prior to installation.
(Ord. 2185.)
A. Conceptual Landscape Plan. A conceptual landscape plan shall be submitted as part of any application for a land use entitlement for new development or major redevelopment requiring new landscaping.
B. Final Landscape Package. Following approval of the land use entitlement, a final landscape package shall be submitted as part of the application for a building permit. Landscape plans shall be prepared only by persons authorized by the State of California to prepare such plans.
C. Content. Conceptual landscape plans and final landscape packages shall contain all information specified in the Instructions for Preparing Landscape Plans, provided by the Department.
D. Review and Approval. The Board or the Director, as appropriate, shall review each conceptual landscape plan and final landscape package to verify its compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The Board or Director may approve the submittal in compliance with this chapter, or may disapprove or require changes to a submittal that is not in compliance.
(Ord. 2185, Ord. 2402, 2440 §45, Ord. 2494 §38)
Landscaping shall be provided in the locations described in this chapter, in addition to any areas required by Division IV (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) or Division VI (Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Regulations).
A. General Requirements. Landscaping shall be provided as follows:
1. Setbacks. In general, the setback areas required by these Regulations shall be landscaped, except where a required setback is occupied by a sidewalk, driveway or access easement or where a required setback is screened from public view and it is determined by the Director that landscaping is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
2. Unused Areas. All areas of a building site not intended for a specific use or purpose, including pad sites in shopping centers held for future development, shall be landscaped (may be hydroseeded) unless it is determined by the review authority that landscaping is not necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
3. Pools and Patios. The surface area of a permanent swimming pool or spa or uncovered patio may be included to meet landscaped open space requirements.
4. Public Right-of-Way. The area between the curb, or curb and sidewalk if contiguous, and the property line shall be landscaped. This area shall not be counted in the overall required percentage of landscaping.
B. Specific Zone Landscaping Requirements. Proposed development and new land uses shall be designed, constructed and maintained with landscaped open space areas of the minimum size shown in Table 5-2, based on the zoning district applicable to the site. Additional landscaping may be required by the Architectural Review Board to provide visual relief or contrast or to screen incompatible or obtrusive features.
Zoning District | Minimum % of Site Area Required to be Landscaped | Zoning District | Minimum % of Site Area Required to be Landscaped
|
Zoning District | Minimum % of Site Area Required to be Landscaped | Zoning District | Minimum % of Site Area Required to be Landscaped
| |
R2 | 40% | CC and CR | 5% | |
R3 | 35% | DN and DS | See Note | |
R4 | 25% | CS | 5% | |
RMU | 10% (See Note) | ML | 5% | |
OR | 30% | MG | 5% | |
OC | 15% | IOMU | 15% | |
CN | 10% | TND | No minimum area required. | |
Note: Opportunities to provide landscaping in the downtown area are limited; therefore, the Board will review each project on a case-by-case basis. When opportunities exist, the ARHPB may require the provision of landscaped open space.
(Ord. 2427 §45, 2440 §46)
(Ord. 2185, Ord. 2358 §14, Ord. 2402, Ord. 2464 §§2, 3, Ord. 2494 §39)
Landscape areas and materials shall be designed, installed, and maintained as provided by this section.
A. General Design Standards. The following features shall be incorporated into the design of the proposed landscape and shown on required landscape plans:
1. Landscaping shall be planned as an integral part of the overall project design and not simply located in excess space after parking areas and structures have been planned;
2. Landscape planting that emphasizes drought-tolerant and/or native species shall be provided for all adjacent, and unimproved public rights-of-way, including parkway planter strips;
3. Street trees, as specified by the public works department, shall be installed;
4. Landscaping shall be provided throughout parking areas in compliance with Chapter 19.70 (Parking and Loading Standards);
5. Landscaping adjacent to driveways and parking shall be protected from vehicle damage through the provision of minimum 6-inch-high concrete curbs or other types of barriers as approved by the Architectural Review Board or Director; and
6. Plants with similar water needs shall be grouped together in distinct hydrozones.
B. Plant Material Limitations. Plant materials shall be selected and installed to comply with the following requirements:
1. Plant materials shall be provided in the following minimum percentages, and calculations documenting the required mix of plant materials shall be shown on the landscape plan;
2. Plant materials shall emphasize drought-tolerant and/or native species;
a. At least 90 percent of the plants selected in non-turf areas shall be suited to Chico's climate and require minimal water once established. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted in situations where non-potable private well water is used for irrigation purposes; and
b. Up to 10 percent of the plant materials may be of a less drought-tolerant variety as long as they are grouped together and can be irrigated separately.
3. All landscape plantings shall be of sufficient size and intensity so that a finished appearance and plant maturity can be attained in a reasonable time;
4. Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with service lines and sight distance areas;
5. For projects involving the construction of 25 or more parking stalls, parking lot shade trees shall be a mix of tree species, with no single species representing more than approximately one-third of the total number of parking lot shade trees. Exceptions to this requirement may be approved through site design and architectural review (Chapter 19.18) or by the Director.
6. Trees planted near public sidewalks or curbs shall be of a species and installed in a manner which prevents physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and other public improvements;
7. Ground cover shall be of live plant material. Gravel, colored rock, walk-on bark, and similar materials shall be used temporarily, in combination with a living groundcover, in all non-turf areas as a mulch to control weeds and conserve or retain water until a living ground cover has achieved full coverage. Non-plant materials may be approved for use in limited areas through the site design and architectural review process (Chapter 19.18); and
8. The combined turf and/or water area, including pools, ponds, and fountains, shall be limited to 25 percent of the irrigated area or 500 square feet, whichever is greater. Public parks, golf courses, public and private school recreation areas, detention or retention areas for water quality, and day care recreation areas are excluded from this turf and/or water area limitation. Exceptions to this requirement may be approved through site design and architectural review (Chapter 19.18).
C. Irrigation. All required landscaped areas shall be supported by a permanent, automatic irrigation system coordinated to meet the needs of various planting areas and in compliance with the following:
1. Equipment.
a. Anti-Drain Valves. Integral, under the head, or in-line anti-drain valves shall be installed as needed to prevent low head drainage.
b. Automatic Control Valves. Different hydrozones shall be irrigated by separate valves.
c. Controllers. Automatic control systems shall be required for all irrigation systems and must be able to accommodate all aspects of the design. Automatic controllers shall be digital, and have multiple programs, multiple cycles, and sensor input capabilities.
d. Rain Sensor Devices. Rain sensing override devices shall be required where appropriate on all irrigation systems.
e. Soil Moisture Sensors. Soil moisture sensing devices shall be considered where appropriate, such as turf areas.
f. Sprinkler Heads. Sprinkler heads shall be selected for proper area coverage, application rate, operating pressure, and adjustment capability. Sprinklers shall have matched precipitation/application rates within each control valve circuit.
g. Water Meters. Separate landscape water meters or sub-meters shall be installed for all projects where service includes both landscape and nonlandscape. Landscape sub-meters, if used, shall be purchased, installed, and maintained by the owner.
h. Drip Irrigation. Drip irrigation systems may be approved if commercial or agricultural grade materials are used. All components shall be installed below the soil except for emitters.
2. Runoff and Overspray. All irrigation systems shall be designed to avoid runoff, low head drainage, overspray or other similar conditions where water flows or drifts onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures.
3. Timing. Automatic irrigation shall be programmed to operate only between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
D. Installation. All landscape materials and support equipment shown in an approved final landscape package shall be installed on the site as follows:
1. Soil Preparation. In soils known to be compacted or associated with clays, hardpan, or other limiting factors, information regarding the soil preparation and drainage shall be submitted.
2. Installation. All landscape materials and irrigation equipment shall be installed in compliance with the approved plans and specifications prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
3. Delayed Installation. In the event that seasonal conditions prevent the effective installation of required landscape prior to occupancy, a conditional certificate of occupancy and/or a performance bond in the amount equal to 125 percent of the cost of landscape materials and installation may be required, subject to the approval of the planning director.
4. Changes to Design. Any changes to an approved final landscape package shall be approved by the planning director.
E. Maintenance of Landscape. Landscaping shall be maintained consistent with the approved final landscape package and in a manner as to fully attain the objectives, including tree canopy and shading, landscape screening, and buffering. Maintenance of approved landscape installations shall consist of regular watering, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of debris and weeds, the removal and replacement of dead plants, and the repair and replacement of irrigation systems and integrated architectural features. Pruning shall be consistent with the ANSI A300 Pruning Standards, prune to thin 1 inch.
(Ord. 2185, Ord. 2364 §392, Ord. 2402, Ord. 2439 §182, Ord. 2440 §47)
A. Submittal Requirements. Applications for a land use entitlement shall include a tree inventory as set forth in CMC 16.66.070.
B. Tree Protection Measures.
1. As a condition of permit approval, the relocation of trees proposed for removal, or replacement of the removed trees with other trees planted elsewhere on the site, may be required. Replacement trees may be required on a more than one-for-one basis if the replacement trees are smaller than the trees being removed.
2. The Director shall determine during project review which existing trees will require protection during construction. This decision shall be based upon the proximity of construction activity and the location of the trees relative to the structure and other facilities. All trees approved for removal shall be exempt from protection requirements.
3. The natural grade around the dripline of existing trees shall remain undisturbed during and after construction. Where grade changes and/or site improvements are proposed to occur within the dripline, a suitable mitigation plan shall be developed by a certified arborist, landscape architect, or the City Urban Forest Manager. The plan shall protect the tree from excess fill and/or the removal of excess soil from the root zone.
4. Prior to beginning construction, existing trees shall be pruned to remove limbs which may be dead or may become damaged during construction. Pruning shall be performed consistent with ANSI A300 Pruning Standards.
5. A temporary construction fence shall be installed at the dripline or no closer than 20 feet from the tree trunk. The fence shall be substantial enough to restrict activity to outside the area and shall be installed prior to any grading or other construction activity. During construction, maintenance shall be performed so that the fence remains in good repair. Removal of the fence shall only occur to allow approved construction within the area or to complete site landscaping. City Planning staff shall be contacted, prior to commencement of construction, to inspect fencing and to approve any construction within the dripline.
6. Underground facilities and trenches, (e.g., utility services, sanitary sewer, or storm drainage lines) shall be consolidated, to the extent feasible, and located to minimize impacts upon tree root systems. Trenching or underground work should be located outside of the tree dripline. Any trenching required within the tree dripline shall be as far from the tree trunk as possible and shall be excavated using hand tools, pressurized water, or other approved method to minimize impacts on roots. All trenching within the dripline shall be supervised by a certified arborist or the City Urban Forest Manager.
7. Roots 3/4 inches or greater in size encountered during trenching shall be cleanly cut and treated with a sealing agent to reduce loss of moisture to the tree. Roots greater than 1 1/2 inches shall be preserved and protected at the direction of a certified arborist.
8. No staging, storage area for construction, or construction waste shall be located closer than 50 feet to the dripline of any tree to be protected.
9. Site irrigation and landscaping shall be planned with existing trees in mind. Native trees typically respond poorly to irrigation required of most ornamental landscapes. A rock, cobble, or other mulch, or native shrubs and groundcovers, in combination with drip irrigation systems shall be used within the dripline of native trees, particularly native oaks.
(Ord. 2185, Ord. 2494 §40.)
Loading...