14-15-105 SITE DESIGN

A. Overall Design Concepts 1. Dedicated walkways, plazas and other pedestrian oriented hardscape areas may be included as landscaping, provided that they do not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the required minimum landscaping requirement. 2. The landscaping plan of each site shall be unified both internally and externally, and relate to the larger context of the surrounding community. 3. The landscaping plan shall include a pedestrian circulation element that shows interconnectivity with surrounding sidewalks, urban trails, and surrounding uses. The city encourages appropriate pedestrian connections to adjacent neighborhoods. 4. The size and spacing of landscape elements should be consistent with the size of the project and should relate to the structures and the streetscape. No landscape element may be constructed, erected, or otherwise placed on a site without City approval. 5. Proper landscape design shall be utilized to mitigate the visual impact of all site utility elements such as overhead power lines, transformers, meter boxes, backflow preventers, fire protection devices, etc. 6. Trees overhanging pedestrian walkways shall be pruned to have a general canopy clearance of at least seven (7) feet. 7. Trees overhanging drive areas shall be pruned to have a general canopy clearance of at least eleven (11) feet. B. Site Grading 1. Site design should minimize the removal of mature trees and other existing mature vegetation. Where removal is necessary, mature trees should be salvaged or replaced on a three (3) for one (1) basis. Any trees prohibited by resolution, Code or statute shall be removed and not be replaced. 2. Abrupt or unnatural changes in grade may create barriers or disrupt drainage patterns. Proposed grading should be designed to take advantage of the natural grade and land features. 3. Steep slopes, generally 3:1 or greater, shall be stabilized with vegetation, retaining walls, or other appropriate measures. Sites shall be designed to minimize erosion. 4. Landscape plans should preserve and incorporate natural land features such as streams, washes, springs, etc., into the overall site plan. C. Drainage 1. Surface water, site drainage, and storm water detention should be integrated with overall landscape design. Whenever possible, detention areas should be designed as usable open space. 2. Drainage requirements shall be assessed based on City drainage standards and individual site characteristics. D. Groundcover (Living and Nonliving). 1. Future development sites should receive temporary landscaping treatments to provide dust and weed control and to prevent erosion. 2. Less than seventy-five (75) percent of softscaped areas should be planted in turf or high water-use plants. Functional turf areas in schools, multiple-family residential developments, golf courses and other recreational areas shall be exempt from this requirement. E. Plant Materials. 1. Plant materials shall be selected according to the criteria set forth in Title 14 Chapter 16. 2. Pedestrian safety and comfort should be considered when selecting trees and plant material. 3. Water conservation and community image should be important criteria for plant material selection. F. Water Elements. 1. Fountains and other water features should be sited and designed so that they are efficient users of water. 2. Filtered backwash effluent should be discharged into landscaped areas whenever possible. G. Art and Furnishings. 1. If public art is used, it should be integrated into the overall design of a project. 2. Lighting fixtures and illumination should compliment a structure and be of similar design and character as the project's building components. 3. Street furniture and related features are encouraged. H. Maintenance. 1. Projects should demonstrate that maintenance factors have been considered in the landscape design. 2. Irrigation systems should be designed to minimize maintenance and water consumption. 3. Phased developments shall indicate a mechanism for dust, weed, and debris control on undeveloped portions of the site and shall ensure continuing compliance.