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(12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. <br /> (b) Goals and Objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following <br /> goals and objectives: <br /> (1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also taking <br /> into account space and input needs of plantings well into the future; <br /> (2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; <br /> (3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens. <br /> (4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management <br /> plans. <br /> (c) Landscaping Requirements. <br /> (1) Topsoil and Ground Cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and <br /> areas not devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks,trails,patios or other <br /> such impervious improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs,trees, native <br /> grasses and wildflowers and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six(6) <br /> months of the date of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. <br /> a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, as defined <br /> in Section 117-1, shall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge <br /> of improved streets, sidewalks, driveways and other impervious surfaces, <br /> excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, whenever a building permit is <br /> issued for the construction of a principal building. <br /> 1. The depth of topsoil at the time of inspection shall be not less than four <br /> inches. <br /> 2. Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil <br /> amendments known to improve soil water holding capacity may be <br /> permitted, but only with the prior approval of the City Engineer. <br /> b. Required Ground Cover. In all zoning districts except R-1, all portions of a site <br /> not covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that <br /> are left undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of <br /> improved streets and other impervious surfaces. Any alternative to the sod <br /> requirement shall require City Council approval. <br /> 1. In the R-1 Residential District, sod is required in all boulevards, excluding <br /> those areas devoted to sidewalks,trails and driveways. <br /> 2. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground <br /> cover and/or native grasses and wildflowers. Noxious weeds do not <br /> constitute allowable ground cover. <br /> 3. A landscape escrow, in an amount to be determined by the Building <br /> Official, shall be deposited for all required landscaping, including topsoil, <br /> sod and trees,which is not established at the time of issuance of a Certificate <br /> of Occupancy. Installation of required landscaping, including topsoil, sod <br /> (or seeding where permitted by this Code) and trees, shall be completed <br /> within six months of the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, weather <br /> permitting. The city may draw upon the escrow to install the required <br /> landscaping if said work is not completed within six months of the date of <br /> issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. <br />