§ 17.44.220. Landscape design standards.

A. It is the purpose and intent of this section to foster the creation of regionally appropriate, sustainable landscapes. This section requires the utilization of water conservation and irrigation efficiency to guide the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping. There is sufficient information to believe that certain trees and shrubs produce allergens that adversely impact the health and well-being of many residents of the village of Los Lunas, and that actions to reduce the production of these harmful allergens are therefore appropriate. It is also the purpose of this section to enhance the appearance of the village in order to promote civic pride and vitality.

B.

The requirements of this section apply to subsections (B)(1) and (2) below, and a landscape plan that demonstrates compliance with this section is required with the following:

1.

Applications for subdivision plat approval when landscaping is proposed for entrance features, medians or utility strips adjacent to sidewalks.

2.

Applications for building permits as follows:

a.

All new construction resulting in an enclosed structure with a gross floor area greater than five hundred square feet;

b.

For additions or remodeling of existing structures that disturb greater than one thousand square feet of land area, or have a valuation of over eighty thousand dollars;

c.

The requirements of this section do not apply to applications for new single-family dwelling units and interior remodeling.

C.

A landscape plan showing the location of plant material on a site plan will be submitted that provides an ample quantity and variety of ornamental plant species suitable for the climate. The landscape plan shall include the following:

1.

Species and size of existing plant material;

2.

Extent and location of all plant materials and other landscape features. Plant material must be identified with labels or an understandable legend;

3.

Plant schedule indicating common and botanical names, size at installation, size at maturity, quantities and method of transplant;

4.

All landscape features must be drawn to scale;

5.

Proposed treatment of all ground surfaces clearly indicated (paving, turf, gravel, grading, etc.);

6.

Irrigation system operation information and water budgets based on gallons used for landscape plants shall be included on the landscape plan or with attached documents.

D.

The director of the community development department or his designee shall have the authority to enforce this section.

1.

No building permit shall be issued, or subdivision plat recommended for approval without compliance with this section;

2.

Lack of compliance with this chapter may result in withholding or revocation of a certificate of occupancy;

3.

Should the requirements of this section not have been met prior to the request for a certificate of occupancy the applicant may provide a financial guarantee, as per the existing policy of the community development department at the time of the request;

4.

The director or his designee shall have discretion to allow alternate means of compliance with the requirements of this section when the proposed alternate means satisfy the intent, and are equivalent or exceed the requirements of this section.

E.

Water conservation shall guide landscape and site planning, design, installation and management. Landscape design shall apply the principles of xeriscape and achieve the highest industry standards for irrigation efficiency. The purpose of these strategies is to develop drought tolerant landscapes and to reduce the demand on the potable water system.

1.

Water features, including but not limited to fountains, streams and ponds are classified as high water use and must be integrated into an overall site water conservation plan;

2.

All new irrigation systems and major renovations of existing irrigation systems shall install backflow prevention devices;

3.

Irrigation systems shall be designed to prevent water waste, over-watering and to prevent overspray or drainage of water onto any paved or unplanted surface;

4.

Landscapes shall be irrigated with automatic underground irrigation systems designed such that the overall water consumption will not exceed fifteen gallons of potable water per square foot of landscape area per year;

5.

Turf, sod, or grass seeding of cool season species shall not be planted in areas where any dimension is less than ten feet.

F.

Plant material selection shall emphasize drought tolerant plant species and shall limit the use of high water use plan species. Tree species that increase harmful allergens are prohibited and include, but are not limited to, Cypress, Juniper, Mulberry, Elm and Ash.

G.

Warm season grasses are recommended for decorative lawns. When installed, cool season turf grass lawns shall be limited to seed mixes containing not more than twenty-five percent Kentucky Bluegrass varieties and Poa prensis v.

1.

Public parks and athletic fields are exempt from this restriction. These locations shall install only the minimum cool season turf required for the active recreational use;

2.

As of November 7, 2002, Russian Olive and Salt Cedar shall not be sold or installed within the village limits because of their classification as noxious weeds.

H.

Street trees:

1.

All new developments shall provide street trees;

2.

Vertical clearance below the lowest branch shall be seven feet over pedestrian walkways and fourteen feet over streets;

3.

Maintenance and replacement of street trees is the responsibility of the owner of the property on which the tree is located;

4.

Caliper size of the street trees will be a minimum of one and one-half inch measured six inches above the ground. Height will be a minimum of six feet;

5.

Street trees shall be located so as not interfere with the function of any underground utility lines;

6.

Street trees may be planted according to the following schemes:

a.

Street trees may be planted in open soil between the back of curb and sidewalk with their centerline places at the midpoint between the two,

b.

If the sidewalk is at the back of the curb and less than six feet wide, trees may be planted at least two feet beyond the property-side edge of the sidewalk,

c.

If the sidewalk is at the back of the curb and six feet wide or wider, trees may be planted in cutouts in the sidewalk. The centerline of the tree will be at least two feet from the back of the curb,

d.

Street trees may be planted in random clusters within twenty feet from the back of the curb;

7.

Street trees must be selected from the list of approved street trees, which is on file in the community development office;

8.

The distance between evenly spaced trees shall be no greater than the diameter of the tree canopy at maturity. For example, a three hundred foot frontage will require ten trees with a thirty-foot canopy, or fifteen trees with a twenty-foot canopy. The area west of I-25 will require street trees to be planted for every sixty feet of frontage on Main Street. The number of trees placed in random clusters must equal or exceed the number of trees that would be required if they were placed evenly;

9.

When parking areas are visible from Main Street or any street within a TOD-MU or TOD-R district, there shall be landscaping between the street and the parking with vegetation, planters, or berms. This landscaping shall be a minimum depth of ten feet, or six feet with a four-foot high screen wall. This landscaping shall be maintained between the parking area and the street regardless of site size;

10.

Landscaping of off-street parking shall incorporate shade trees distributed throughout the parking area at no less than one tree for every twenty parking spaces west of I-25. Minimum size of tree planters shall be thirty-six square feet per tree. In no case shall the parking supply be reduced below the minimum number of spaces in this title;

11.

Street trees located within twenty-five feet of parking may count toward the off-street parking shade tree requirements for that parking lot.

I.

To preserve clear views at street intersections, driveways and medians, shrubs and ground covers within the clear-sight triangles shall be maintained at a minimum of seven feet from the lowest branch to the top of the curb. Only the plants that can withstand reflected heat from asphalt and pavement shall be planted. All landscape areas within the zone shall be irrigated with an automatic underground irrigation system and/or automatic drip irrigation system;

J.

Commercial developments shall be separated from adjacent residentially zoned properties by inclusion of a seven-foot wide landscaped buffer area in the site plan and by vertical six-foot opaque screening with a fence, wall or landscape plants. Where small lots will be converted from residential to commercial, and the seven-foot wide landscape buffer will prevent the required amount of parking, buffer width can be reduced to not less than three feet with the provision that the proposed use of the lot will not be considered a nuisance to adjacent residential properties. Within the TOD-MU and TOD-R districts, a landscape buffer between residentially zoned properties and commercial developments shall not be required in front or side yards.

(Ord. 356 (part), 2008; Ord. 280, 2002)