(A) Purpose:
1. To ensure that landscape design takes advantage of natural settings, and preserves and enhances existing trees, vegetation, native soils, and other natural features such as streamside environments.
2. To promote the use of native trees, shrubs, and grasses, and discourage landscaping that requires high water use for maintenance, such as turf and non-native species.
3. To require best practices in the maintenance of landscaping and the preservation of existing vegetation and trees.
(B) Applicability:
1. The provisions of this section apply to all zoning districts, except for the Industrial (I) Zone.
2. Landscaping of parking areas shall be in accordance with subsection 3.8.061 of this chapter.
3. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require the landscaping of exposed rocks and sands in undisturbed riparian and littoral areas.
4. Landscape plans shall be prepared as part of a site plan and design review as required by this title.
(C) Landscaping Development Standards:
1. In the RR, RE, R1, R4, and R8 zones, at least thirty percent (30%) of the total parcel area shall be maintained in a manner that preserves existing natural vegetation; or landscaped with plant species native to the McCall Area (See City of McCall publication, "Native and Suitable Plants").
2. All landscaping shall adhere, as applicable, to City of McCall Design Guidelines (2006); City of McCall publication, "Native and Suitable Plants"; section 3.8.03 “Timber Harvest” of this chapter; Title 8 “Public Ways And Property,” chapter 17 “Trees,” and title 9 “Subdivision And Development,” chapter 7, “Special Subdivision And Development Provisions Of The MCC.”
3. All landscaping in the residential zones shall be in accordance with the provisions for firewise landscaping set forth in 3.8.04 “Fire Hazard Mitigation Standards.” If conflicts arise between this section and section 3.8.04, a recommended resolution will be the responsibility of the McCall Fire Protection District or the Administrator.
4. On those sites where there exists vegetation of a significant or sensitive character, the siting and design of buildings shall retain that vegetation.
5. New landscape areas shall be configured to maximize the interconnectivity with existing natural areas within and adjacent to the site.
a. For developments which adjoin native vegetation, the landscape shall reflect the native vegetation patterns and plant materials.
b. Outward orienting portions of the landscape shall be planted with the same species of plants which are found on the adjacent undisturbed natural areas.
c. New plantings shall blend in with the existing landscape so that within five (5) years all traces of the site disturbance will have disappeared.
d. Proper landscaping transition to adjacent properties and natural areas shall be provided without strong demarcation.
6. New landscaping shall minimize the impacts on existing trees by avoiding:
a. Significant grade changes or fill activities around existing trees and their root systems, such as increase soil depths over roots or against trunk of trees;
b. Trenching activities through existing root systems; and
c. Over saturation of soils around existing trees and root systems.
7. Disturbed areas shall be re-vegetated to mitigate noxious weed growth and infestation.
8. Landscape improvements shall follow water efficient design principles to facilitate water conservation.
a. Drought tolerant plant species shall be used wherever possible to reduce water demand.
b. High water demand plant materials shall be kept to a minimum and confined to areas adjacent to patios and entries, in active sports areas, and in natural water courses.
9. Trees And Shrubs:
a. Any tree equal to or larger than twelve inches (12") DBH (Diameter at Breast Height 54") shall not be removed without prior written approval of the City Arborist.
b. Any tree destroyed or mortally injured after previously being identified to be preserved, or removed without authorization, shall be replaced with a tree of size and species as determined by the city arborist.
c. All trees planted shall be a minimum of one and one-half inches (1.5") caliper for deciduous trees or five to six feet (5-6') in height for conifers.
d. Landscaping that includes the planting of more than ten (10) new trees, shall include a variety of tree species and sizes, including a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the trees at least three-inch (3") caliper. Any one single tree or shrub species shall be limited to forty percent (40%) of the total number of trees (excluding street trees).
e. Spacing of trees and shrubs shall allow for their natural spread.
10. Lawn Areas: Except for native grasses:
a. Lawns shall be limited to ten percent (10%) of a site and be located in areas with limited public visibility (i.e. enclosed courtyards) or active play areas.
b. Lawns are prohibited in the Shoreline and River Environs Zone (See 3.7.023(C)).
11. Irrigation:
a. All required landscaping, except single family homes, shall be provided with an automatically controlled irrigation system.
b. Storm water runoff shall be retained on the site wherever possible and used to irrigate plant materials.
c. Projects which use all native, drought tolerant plant materials shall provide, at a minimum, a temporary irrigation system which must fully operate for at least two (2) complete growing seasons.
(D) Buffering: In order to enhance the rural and natural environment and maintain community character and aesthetics, when abutting a residential zone, a commercial, business park, industrial, or civic use shall have buffering from the residential area from noise, vehicle headlight glare, dust or other impacts using walls, fences or vegetative barriers sufficient to mitigate those impacts. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for construction on such abutting commercial, business park or industrial zone, a site plan for buffering shall be submitted to the administrator for approval; an approved buffering plan shall be a condition of the building permit; its approval may be combined with the approval of a subdivision or of a zoning map amendment. The buffers may also be designed to provide for an area for the storage of snow or rain runoff.
(E) Setbacks: Setbacks greater than those of chapters 4 and 5 of this title may be required to provide sufficient space for buffering and screening and to maintain compatibility between commercial, business park or industrial and residential uses.
(F) Weed Control: The developer is responsible for the identification and the proper treatment or removal of noxious weed infestations, as specified by the state of Idaho, before timber harvest or significant infrastructure work commences. These costly infestations are easily transported to other areas by construction vehicles. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006; amd. Ord. 885, 3-24-2011; Ord. 998, 1-14-2021)