It is the purpose of this Part to establish minimum standards for the development, installation, and maintenance of landscaping and tree preservation that protects and enhances property values, the environment, and aesthetic qualities in the city, and otherwise promotes the public health, safety and general welfare. The standards are specifically intended to ensure and promote the planting, maintenance, restoration, and survival of trees,
shrubs
, groundcover, and other landscaping that will:
A. Mitigate against erosion and sedimentation by stabilizing the soils through root systems that hold and consolidate soil and other loose earthen materials;
B. Reduce stormwater runoff and associated costs by intercepting, dispersing, and absorbing rainfall and slowing down surface flow;
C. Reduce water pollution by filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff;
D. Conserve water supplies by allowing more rainfall to stay in the water table and minimizing water use for landscaping maintenance;
E. Moderate urban heat island effects by shading buildings and paved surfaces and lowering ambient temperatures through transpiration;
F. Improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide and pollutant gases from the air and producing oxygen that helps dilute air pollutant concentrations;
G. Restore soils and land denuded as a result of construction or grading;
H. Maintain the continued vitality of natural habitats for the propagation and protection of wildlife, birds, game, and fish and other aquatic life;
I. Buffer excessive or undesirable noise from street traffic or adjacent land uses and activities by absorbing and deflecting sounds;
J. Limit glare created by exterior lighting;
K. Screen undesirable views;
L. Provide a sense of privacy from neighbors and the street;
M. Provide human scale to urban environments by breaking up the visual impact of structures and parking lots;
N. Help differentiate streets and other areas of the public realm from private lands;
O. Create civic identity and special places that differentiate the city from other urban environments;
P. Stimulate economic development by increasing the city's attractiveness and quality of life to shoppers and employers;
Q. Safeguard and enhance property values and protect public and private investments;
R. Protect city residents and visitors from personal injury and property damage, and avoid interruption of electrical and other utility services; and
S. Support the core components of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)—natural surveillance, natural access control, and territoriality.
(Ord. 2012-64, passed 9-11-12)