9-1-19-22R: POLICY 22 (RELATIVE) LANDSCAPING:
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2 x (-1/+3) |
A. |
All developments are strongly encouraged to include landscaping improvements that exceed the requirements of section 9-1-19-22A, "Policy 22 (Absolute) Landscaping", of this chapter. New landscaping installed as part of an approved landscape plan should enhance forest health, preserve the natural landscape and wildlife habitat and support firewise practices. A layered landscape consistent with the Town's mountain character, achieved through the use of ground covers, shrubs, and trees that utilize diverse species and larger sizes where structures are screened from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, is strongly encouraged. The resulting landscape plan should contribute to a more beautiful, safe, and environmentally sound community. |
B. To meet the goals described in subsection A of this section, compliance with the following relative landscape standards is encouraged. An application shall be evaluated on how well it implements the following:
1. All landscaping areas should have a minimum dimension of ten feet (10').
2. Development applications should identify and preserve specimen trees, significant tree stands, tree clusters and other existing vegetation that contribute to wildlife habitat. Trees considered as highest priority for preservation are those that are disease free, have a full form, and are effective in softening building heights and creating natural buffers between structures and public rights-of-way. Buildings should be placed in locations on the property that result in adequate setbacks to preserve specimen trees and existing vegetation. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent site work around these areas. Applicants should seek professional advice on these issues from experts in the field.
3. Landscaping materials should consist of those species that are native to the town, or are appropriate for use in the town's high altitude environment. The "Landscaping Guidelines" shall be used to evaluate those particular criteria.
4. Landscaping materials should consist of those species that need little additional water (over and above natural precipitation) to survive, or the applicant should provide an irrigation system on the property that complies with subsection B(5) of this section. In general, native species are the most drought tolerant after establishment. Xeriscaping with native species is encouraged.
5. Installation, use, and maintenance of irrigation systems to ensure survival of landscaping in the long term is strongly encouraged until plant material is established. Irrigation systems must utilize drip irrigation or similar low flow systems and the recycling of water is strongly encouraged. Sprinkler systems may be used for lawn and sodded areas and areas planted with perennials, but may be subject to negative points per this policy. All approved irrigation systems should be maintained on an annual basis.
6. The use of bioswales planted with native vegetation that can filter and absorb surface water runoff from impervious surfaces is encouraged to promote water quality.
7. In low traffic areas the use of permeable paving allowing precipitation to percolate through areas that would traditionally be impervious is encouraged.
8. Plant materials should be provided in sufficient quantity; be of acceptable species; and be placed in such arrangement so as to create a landscape that is appropriate to the town's setting and that complies with the Historic District guidelines, if applicable.
9. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the tree stock installed on a property should include a variety of larger sizes, ranging up to the largest sizes (at maturity) for each species that are possible according to accepted landscaping practices. Such tree stock should recognize the town's high altitude environment, transplant feasibility, and plant material availability. The interrelationships of height, caliper, container size and shape must be in general compliance with the nursery stock standards.
10. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of all deciduous trees described in the landscape plan should be multistem.
11. Landscaping should be provided in a sufficient variety of species to ensure the continued aesthetic appeal of the project if a particular species is killed through disease. Native species are preferred.
12. In all areas where grading and tree removal is a concern, planting of new landscaping materials beyond the requirements of section 9-1-19-22A, "Policy 22 (Absolute) Landscaping", of this chapter is strongly encouraged. New trees and landscaping should be concentrated where they will have the greatest effect on softening disturbed areas and buffering off site views of the property.
C. Negative points shall be assessed against an application according to the following point schedule:
-2: Proposals that provide no public benefit. Examples include: providing no landscaping to create screening from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way; the use of large areas of sod or other nonnative grasses or perennials that require irrigation and exceed five hundred (500) square feet in area; the use of excessive amounts of exotic landscape species; and the removal of specimen trees that could be avoided with an alternative design layout.
D. Positive points will be awarded to an application according to the following point schedule. Examples of positive point awards are for purpose of illustration only, and are not binding upon the Planning Commission. The ultimate allocation of points shall be made by the Planning Commission pursuant to section 9-1-17-3 of this chapter.
+2: Proposals that provide some public benefit. Examples include: the preservation of specimen trees as a result of a new building footprint configuration to preserve the trees; preservation of groupings of existing healthy trees that provide wildlife habitat; preservation of native ground covers and shrubs significant to the size of the site; xeriscape planting beds; the planting of trees that are of larger sizes (a minimum of 2.5 inch caliper for deciduous trees and 8 feet for evergreen trees); utilizing a variety of species; and the layering of ground covers, shrubs, and trees that enhances screening from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.
+4: Proposals that provide above average landscaping plans and that include a water conservation checklist. Examples include: all those noted under +2 points, in addition to the planting of trees that are of larger sizes (a minimum of 3 inch caliper for deciduous trees and 10 feet for evergreen trees) and the largest sizes possible for their species; utilizing a variety of species and the layering of ground covers, shrubs, and trees that enhances screening from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of all new planting should be native to the town and the remaining fifty percent (50%) should be adapted to a high altitude environment. A water conservation checklist must be prepared for the property that indicates a list of water conservation measures (a minimum of 3 measures) that will be utilized. Examples of these measures include rain sensors, use of water conserving grass species, irrigation timers, and other conservation measures acceptable to the town. (Ord. 1, Series 2019)