Laserfiche WebLink
1 (6) Reduce the potential for crime and violence; <br />2 (7) Improve energy efficiency; <br />3 (8) Add visual interest to blank building facades and soften appearance of hardscaping and <br />4 buildings with accent plantings; <br />5 (9) Complement adjacent land uses; <br />6 (10) Improve the visual quality and continuity within and between developments; <br />7 (11) Reduce storm water runoff; <br />8 (12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. <br />9 (6) Goals and objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and <br />10 objectives: <br />11 (1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also taking into <br />12 account space and input needs of plantings well into the future; <br />13 (2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; <br />14 (3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens; <br />15 (4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. <br />16 (C) Landscaping requirements. <br />17 (1) Topsoil and ground cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not <br />18 devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious <br />19 improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers <br />20 and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six months of the date of issuance of the <br />21 certificate of occupancy. <br />22 a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, as dcfincd in section 117- <br />23 ITshall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets, sidewalks, <br />24 driveways and other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, <br />25 whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a principal building. <br />26 1. The depth of topsoil at the time-ef inspection shall be not less than four in s <br />27 Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments known <br />28 to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval <br />29 of the city engineer. <br />30 b. Required ground cover. In all urbanized zoning districts except R-47 all portions of a site not <br />31 covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left <br />32 undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and <br />33 other impervious surfaces in adjacent rights -of way. Any alternative to the sod requirement <br />34 shall require City Council approval. <br />35 1. In the R 1 Residential District, sad is required in all boulevards, excluding the&e areos <br />36 devoted to sidewalk, trails and driveways. <br />37 2- The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground cover and/or <br />38 native grasses and wildflowers. Noxious weeds do not constitute allowable ground cover. <br />39 (2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided, the system shall be equipped with the <br />40 following: <br />41 a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of <br />42 sufficient moisture (rain sensor). <br />43 b. One or more water efficient technologies. This could include, but is not limited to, WaterSense <br />44 labeled weather -based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and/or <br />45 evapotranspiration (ET) sensors. <br />46 (3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is <br />47 practicable and incorporate them into a development. For each healthy significant tree <br />48 retained on site and not identified on the city's list of prohibited trees, one overstory tree, or <br />Page 68 of 160 <br />