This chapter is intended to ensure that new landscaping and the retention of existing vegetation is an integral part of all development and that it contributes added high quality to development, retains and increases property values, conserves water, and improves the environmental and aesthetic character of the community. It is also the intent of this chapter to provide flexible requirements that encourage and allow for creativity in landscape design. (Ord. 603, 11-1-2018)

All landscaping, buffering, and screening provided pursuant to this title shall comply with the standards in this chapter. (Ord. 603, 11-1-2018)

   A.   General: Developments shall incorporate a variety of landscape elements to enhance the building or site, add privacy or shade, screen obtrusive or objectionable features, and take advantage of special site conditions. Landscape elements may include, but not be limited to:

      1.   Living plant material;

      2.   Decorative pavement;

      3.   Screening walls;

      4.   Planters; or

      5.   Site furniture or similar details to enhance the project.

All unimproved earth areas shall be planted, restored, or otherwise protected from erosion. The use of low impact development techniques such as use of native plants, on-site stormwater retention, drip-irrigation, and use of pervious paving material is strongly encouraged to meet the requirements of this title.

   B.   Protection Of Existing Vegetation: The appeal and character of the site shall be preserved and enhanced by retaining and protecting existing vegetation and trees whenever possible.

      1.   Designation, Protection, And Replacement: The owner must indicate on the landscaping plan trees and vegetation intended to be preserved. Designated trees and vegetation must be protected during construction through use of fencing and other protective measures.

   C.   Maintenance: Landscaping shall be watered and maintained by the property owner/leaseholder as necessary to preserve the intent of any approved landscape plan. Ongoing maintenance shall include the replacement of dead or unhealthy plants. Violations of this section shall be subject to penalties pursuant to chapter 15 of this title.

   D.   Plant Materials: Plant materials shall be adaptable to local conditions. Naturalized planting schemes using native or low water-consumptive drought-tolerant plant materials with a high desert character theme are strongly encouraged. Lawn areas shall be kept to a minimum.

   E.   Street Trees: Street trees shall be organized in a formal architectural fashion to reinforce, define, and connect the spaces and corridors created by buildings and other features along a street.

      1.   Location: Street trees shall be planted in the area between the curb and sidewalk or a location most appropriate for street tree planting.

      2.   Spacing: Spacing of street trees shall not exceed two (2) times the tree's mature crown diameter.

      3.   Type: Street trees shall consist of a mixture of canopy shade trees.

      4.   Additional Landscaping: Additional landscaping within the area between the curb and sidewalk may consist of shrubs, annuals, perennials, ground cover and turf, and shall be planted and maintained by the adjacent property owners at the approval of the appropriate jurisdiction (homeowners' association, landscape maintenance association, improvement district, GID, etc.).

   F.   Visibility And Security:

      1.   Intersections shall be landscaped with plant materials of a shape and size that will not impede visibility of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.

      2.   At no time may the security of a building, specifically the entryway and parking area, be compromised by creating visual barriers or hiding places.

   G.   Landscape Plan Required: A landscape plan including plant materials, plant sizes, numbers of plants and plant and landscape material locations as well as an irrigation plan with details shall be submitted for developments as required by the Director. Plant materials and the irrigation system shall be installed prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. (Ord. 603, 11-1-2018; amd. Ord. 607, 9-19-2019)

   A.   Intent: To integrate adjacent land uses and provide appropriate transitions from one use to another through the use of building orientation and access, landscaping, and appropriate architectural elements.

   B.   General Provisions:

      1.   It is the responsibility of any new proposed use (whether more or less intense) to demonstrate compatibility with any surrounding, existing, adjacent uses. This can be accomplished through appropriate building orientation and setbacks, landscaping, architectural treatment and effective use of fencing and screening walls. Special consideration shall be given to the impact of aesthetics, noise, lighting, and traffic.

      2.   Buffering may be required between any development and adjacent natural or environmentally sensitive areas. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

   C.   Loading And Service Areas:

      1.   Location: Loading docks, recycling facilities and other service and utility areas shall be placed to the rear or side of buildings.

      2.   Screening And Landscaping: Screening and landscaping shall prevent direct views of the loading areas and shall be concealed from all adjacent properties and public rights-of-way through installation of walls, opaque fences, earthen mounds and/or vegetative screening. Screening and landscaping shall also be provided to help mitigate spill-over glare, noise, or exhaust fumes.

   D.   Mechanical Equipment: Mechanical equipment, rooftop appurtenances, and outdoor storage areas should be screened. Rooftop appurtenances, such as mechanical equipment shall be screened from view from adjacent properties and public rights-of- way whenever practical.

   E.   Dumpsters And Trash Storage Areas: Every development that is required to provide one or more dumpsters for solid waste collection shall provide sites for such dumpsters that are:

      1.   Sited to the rear of the building,

      2.   Compliant with the setbacks required of the building's underlying zone, and,

      3.   Designed such that they are concealed from all adjacent properties and public rights-of-way through installation of walls, fencing and/or vegetative screening.

   F.   Outdoor Storage Areas: In the event that a use which will incorporate the outdoor storage of equipment, trucks, trailers, materials, etc., will abut Residentially used or zoned property, such storage areas must either be screened by a solid fence or wall with a minimum height of six feet (6') or be set back from the adjacent residential property line the distance of the minimum setback distance. (Ord. 603, 11-1-2018)