The following design principles are general standards to be used by city staff and decision-makers in evaluating whether landscape plans conform to the requirements of this section. The figures contained in this section are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply that the concept illustrated be implemented precisely as shown but rather in a manner consistent with the purpose of these regulations:
(A) Natural landscapes. Landscape designs should incorporate, build upon and complement existing natural landscapes using specimen trees, native vegetation (including canopy, understory, and ground cover) as well as habitat. Particular care should be given to preserve intact natural landscapes, if any.
(B) Responsive to local context and character. Landscape designs should build on the site’s and area’s unique physical characteristics, conserving and complementing existing natural features. Naturalistic design elements such as irregular plant spacing, undulating berm contours, and mixed proportions of plant species should be used to ensure that new landscaping blends in and contributes to the quality of the surrounding area. Selection and spacing of plant material should be reflective of the surrounding area’s character.
(C) Continuity and connection. Landscaping should be designed within the context of the surrounding area, provided that the landscaping is also consistent with these design principles. Where the design intent and the surrounding landscape is naturalistic, plant materials should blend well with adjacent properties, particularly where property edges meet, to create a seamless and natural landscape. Where the design intent and the surrounding landscape is formal, consistent or similar plant material and spacing should be utilized. Exceptions should be made when seeking to create a transition between uses and districts.
(D) Enhancing architecture. Landscape designs should be compatible with and enhance the architectural character and features of the buildings on site, and help relate the building to the surrounding landscape. Major landscape elements should be designed to complement architectural elevations and rooflines through color, texture, density, and form on both vertical and horizontal planes. Landscaping should be in scale with on-site and adjacent buildings. Plant material should be installed at an appropriate size and allowed to accomplish these intended goals. When foundation planting is required, plantings and window boxes should be compatible with a building’s architectural character and could incorporate artistic elements.
(E) Composition. The quality of a landscape design is dependent not only on the quantity and selection of plant materials but also on how that material is arranged. Landscape materials should be arranged in a manner as to provide the following qualities and characteristics:
(1) Texture. Landscape designs should provide a textured appearance through the use of a variety of plant material rather than a single species. Contrasting large leaf textures with medium and small leaf textures, and using a variety of plant heights supports a natural aesthetic and provides more ecological services. Spacing of key landscaping components, such as trees and shrubs, should be consistent with the overall design approach of the landscape plan. Formal landscape designs benefit from a uniform spacing of plants, whereas varied spacing and clustering of trees is more compatible with a naturalistic design.
(2) Scale. Landscape design should include plant material of an appropriate scale to the space and/or structure(s) at their mature sizes. Trees, shrubs, and hedges, especially those used for screening and buffering, should display a fullness at maturity that is typical of the species.
(3) Color. Landscape designs should include a variety of plants to provide contrasting color to other plants in the design. Designs are encouraged to include flowering plants and especially a mix of plants that display colorful flowers throughout the year and support local birds, butterflies and pollinators. For ease of maintenance and water conservation, emphasis should be placed on flowering perennials shrubs and not annual color.
(4) Form. Landscape designs should consider the complete three-dimensional form of the landscape, not simply the form of individual elements. The interrelationship of all landscape elements can be considered so that the final design presents a coherent whole. Principles of feng shui or occidental garden designs should be taken into consideration when planning the garden’s form and design.
(F) Use of native and drought resistant plants. Landscape designs shall feature native and/or related plant species, especially in areas adjacent to existing native vegetation, to take advantage of the unique natural character and diversity of the San Gabriel Valley and the adaptability of native plants to local environmental conditions. Where feasible, the re-establishment of native habitats should be incorporated into the landscape design. In the same manner, landscape designs shall utilize drought tolerant plant materials to the maximum extent feasible. The use of drought-tolerant plants should enrich the existing landscape character, conserve water and energy, and provide a pleasant and varied visual appearance as well as habitat for local wildlife.
(G) Buffering and screening. The placement of natural landscape materials (trees, shrubs, and hedges) is the preferred method for buffering differing land uses, for providing a transition between adjacent properties, and for screening the view of any parking or storage area, trash enclosure, utility enclosures, or other service area visible from a public street, alley, or pedestrian area. Plants may be used with fences or berms to achieve the desired screening or buffering effect. Plant material should be mature enough at the time of planting to provide an effective buffer or screen, and should be planted in an appropriate location to allow for desired growth within a reasonable period of time. When used to screen an activity area such as a parking lot, landscape shall not obstruct the visibility of motorists or pedestrians or interfere with public safety.
(H) Sustainable practices. Sustainable stormwater management creates a system of managing stormwater through retention, treatment or infiltration.
(1) Rainwater harvesting is the collection, storage and use of runoff which is captured in a collection system such as a rain barrel or cistern.
FIGURE 153.534-(H)(1): RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM
(2) Permeable or porous paving allows rainfall and runoff to pass through the paving into the ground below. Permeable paving allows for infiltration, slows down runoff and improves water quality.
FIGURE 153.534-(H)(2): PERMEABLE PAVING
(3) Rain gardens are small depressed areas that allow water to pool for a short amount of time and infiltrate into the ground. Rain gardens mimic terrain commonly found in natural landscapes. Rain gardens help to slow down runoff and improve water quality.
FIGURE 153.534-(H)(3): RAIN GARDENS
(4) Bioswales are shallow basins that use vegetation and soils to filter, treat and infiltrate rainfall and runoff. Often used to capture runoff from parking lots, bioswales can remove pollutants and sediments from runoff water.
FIGURE 153.534-(H)(4): BIOSWALE
(Ord. 601-C.S., passed 3-4-14; Am. Ord. 622-C.S., passed 11-17-15)