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)