The comprehensive landscaping plan shall be prepared following approval of the permit application by the review authority. Submittal of the comprehensive plan shall be concurrent with the grading plan(s) and other documents and reports. This section and those that follow provide the regulations to be followed in the preparation of the comprehensive landscape program.
In addition to the following regulations, the Director of Community Development and Housing shall have the discretion to determine the conformance of a landscape and irrigation plan.
1. Landscape designs shall be in harmony with the surrounding environment.
2. Landscape design and construction shall emphasize drought-tolerant landscaping whenever/wherever possible.
3. Processing of landscape plans shall conform to the policies and procedures of the Department of Community Development and Housing. A fully dimensioned comprehensive landscape and irrigation plan shall include, but not be limited to:
• List of Plants (Common & Latin)
• Size
• Location
• Irrigation Plan
• Hardscape
• Water Elements
• Any other information deemed necessary by the Director
4. The planting of trees and shrubs shall comply with the following installation requirements:
A. Landscape areas shall have plant material selected and planting methods used which are suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the site. Sizes of the plant materials shall conform to the following mix:
Trees
20%, 24 inch box;
50%, 15 gallon;
In addition, mature trees shall be provided for variety and emphasis of focal areas as follows:
15% mature specimen trees in 36 inch box 15% mature specimen trees in 48 inch box
Shrubs
80%, 5 gallon; and
20%, 1 gallon Groundcover
100% coverage within 1 year
B. Trees shall be long-lived (minimum life expectancy of 60 years), clean, require little maintenance, be structurally strong, insect and disease resistant, and require little pruning.
C. Trees and shrubs shall be planted so that at maturity they do not interfere with service lines, Traffic Safety Sight Area, basic property rights of adjacent property owners, particularly the right of solar access, pursuant to Section 19.20.030 (23) (Solar Energy Design Standards).
D. Trees planted near public curbs shall have a limited root structure and shall be installed in such a manner as to prevent physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters and other public improvements. A deep root system shall be used.
5. Where trees are planted in paved areas, they shall have a protective tree grate. Tree grates shall be caste iron with a natural finish. A deep root system shall be used.
6. Concrete mow strips are required to separate all turf areas from other landscaped areas for all developments except single family residential.
7. Buffer planting shall occur along all freeways and major arterials in order to visually screen uses and provide noise reduction. This landscaping shall be in addition to screening requirements set forth in Section 19.28.040 below.
8. Appropriate shrubbery and creeping vines shall be provided along all walls and fences adjoining public rights-of-way.
9. When inorganic groundcover is used, it shall be in combination with live plants and shall be limited to an accent feature.
10. All landscaping shall have an approved automatic irrigation system.
11. All residential subdivisions shall be provided with trees, shrubs, and ground cover of a type and quality generally consistent or compatible with those characterizing single-family homes in the front yard and that portion of the side yards which are visible from the street. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an automatic irrigation system adequate to ensure their viability. The landscape and irrigation plans shall be approved by the Department of Community Development and Housing.
(Ord. MC-1625, 2-21-24)