23.6 Building Foundation Landscape and Landscape Yards

23.6.A Building Foundation landscape   

For all multi-family dwellings of seven (7) or more dwelling units, mixed-use developments, and non-residential uses that maintain a front or corner side yard of ten (10) or more feet and no parking is located within that front or corner side yard, the following building foundation plantings are required: (Figure 23-1: Building Foundation Landscape)

1.  A single hedge row is required, planted with one (1) shrub every thirty-six (36) inches on center, spaced linearly. The shrubs shall measure a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches at planting, and a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches to a maximum of forty-eight (48) inches in height at maturity. The equivalent quantity of shrubs may be arranged at the discretion of the designer subject to approval by the City. 

2.  The remainder of the area shall be planted with vegetative cover.

3.  These plantings may be supplemented with trees and perennials.

4. Plantings are not required where walkways and driveways are located. 

FIGURE 23-1: BUILDING FOUNDATION LANDSCAPE

23.6.B Front Landscape Yard   

Where a multi-family dwelling of seven (7) or more dwelling units, mixed-use development, or non-residential use maintains parking in front of the principal building, a front landscape yard a minimum of ten (10) feet in width shall be installed along the front lot line. In this case, the front landscape yard requirements control rather than the perimeter parking lot landscape requirements.

1.  Five (5) plant unit options are presented in Table 23-2: Plant Unit Examples.  Any alternative or a combination of alternatives may be used. Plantings may be spaced at various intervals and/or clustered based on specific site requirements or design scheme, to be approved as part of the landscape plan.

2.   One (1) plant unit per one-hundred (100) linear feet shall be provided.

3.  When figuring the number of plant units or quantity of plant material required, the number shall be rounded up. For example, three and one-tenths (3.1) shade trees is rounded up to four (4) shade trees.

4.  All plant materials, excluding trees, shall be in the bedline. All plant materials in raised planters do not meet the requirements of this section.

5.  Use of rocks or bare earth in lieu of groundcover plantings may not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total front yard landscape area, excluding driveways, walkways or other access points.