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1 (5) Improve air quality and buffer against noise, glare, and heat; <br /> 2 (6) Reduce the potential for crime and violence; <br /> 3 (7) Improve energy efficiency; <br /> 4 (8) Add visual interest to blank building facades and soften appearance of hardscaping and <br /> 5 buildings with accent plantings; <br /> 6 (9) Complement adjacent land uses; <br /> 7 (10) Improve the visual quality and continuity within and between developments; <br /> 8 (11) Reduce storm water runoff; <br /> 9 (12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. <br /> 10 (B) Goals and objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and <br /> 11 objectives: <br /> 12 (1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also taking into <br /> 13 account space and input needs of plantings well into the future; <br /> 14 (2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; <br /> 15 (3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens; <br /> 16 (4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. <br /> 17 (C) Landscaping requirements. <br /> 18 (1) Topsoil and ground cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not <br /> 19 devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious <br /> 20 improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers <br /> 21 and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six months of the date of issuance of the <br /> 22 certificate of occupancy. <br /> 23 a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, as defiR d i; tie; ":7 <br /> 24 shall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets,sidewalks, <br /> 25 driveways and other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, <br /> 26 whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a principal building. <br /> 28 Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments known <br /> 29 to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval <br /> 30 of the city engineer. <br /> 31 b. Required ground cover. In all urbanized zoning districts exeept R 'R ', all portions of a site not <br /> 32 covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left <br /> 33 undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and <br /> 34 other impervious surfaces in adjacent rights-of way. Any alternative to the sod requirement <br /> 35 shall require City Council approval. <br /> 36 <br /> 38 2. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground cover and/or <br /> 39 native grasses and wildflowers. "'exie, 4.40peds He Ret e emit„+, alle.. a 1 <br /> e .r ,,A r r <br /> 40 (2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided, the system shall be equipped with the <br /> 41 following: <br /> 42 a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of <br /> 43 sufficient moisture (rain sensor). <br /> 44 b. One or more water efficient technologies.This could include, but is not limited to,WaterSense <br /> 45 labeled weather-based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and/or <br /> 46 evapotranspiration (ET) sensors. <br /> 47 (3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is <br /> 48 practicable and incorporate them into a development (see division 5, Tree Preservation for <br /> 49 inventory and preservation requirements). For each healthy significant tree retained on site <br /> 14 <br />