Agenda - Council - 06/08/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

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