The intent of this chapter is to establish goals, policies and
regulations, which will ensure compliance with the city's objective
to create and maintain a community urban forest to be an essential
element of the city's character. The provisions of this chapter are
prescribed to achieve this purpose.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
The following goals provide the basis for formulating and evaluating
the strategy of this chapter:
A.
To
establish trees as a significant characteristic of the city by protecting
and maintaining significant existing trees; and by planting an appropriate
selection of trees on public and private lands;
B.
To
provide a unifying influence for new development in the city through
the selective planting of trees and landscaping according to the master
street tree list and landscape urban design schemes;
C.
To
ensure the health and longevity of new landscape planting by the adoption
of planting and maintenance standards;
D.
To
establish healthy, diverse species of trees which can provide a sustainable
community urban forest;
E.
To
promote conservation of landmark trees and tree resources;
F.
To
establish tree species which will provide the community with a valuable
resource and will aid in the conservation of energy, the reduction
of noise, air pollution, and soil erosion, and will provide a viable
habitat for birds, and wildlife;
G.
To
promote urban design concepts in landscape architecture to aesthetically
enhance public and private property and generate community pride;
H.
To
establish and suitably maintain street trees to limit hardscape damage,
which will reduce personal injury and maintenance costs;
I.
To
establish an urban forest advisory committee to regulate landscape
design in large scale public and private developments.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
The policies contained herein, are provided to establish guidelines
to execute the provisions of this chapter. It shall be the policy
of the city to:
A.
Make
a concerted effort to establish and preserve significant vegetation;
B.
Provide
landscape plans which complement and respond to general surroundings
and existing vegetation;
C.
Require
the use of licensed landscape architects in the preparation of "non-exempt"
landscape architecture plans in the city;
D.
Establish
a permit process whereby, planting, and maintenance of street trees
and significant vegetation can be monitored;
E.
Encourage
the use of xeriscape vegetation, wherever feasible, in public and
private projects to promote water conservation;
F.
Investigate
the feasibility of utilizing "water budget" technology, where landscapes
are designed and maintained to survive with a designated amount of
water per acre;
G.
Define
major corridors through urban design landscape concepts.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings set forth herein:
means to change the appearance by trimming, grafting, or
removing foliage and/or branches of trees or shrubs.
means the outermost branches of a tree canopy.
means the transfer of any quantity of soil, rocks or any
subsurface material from one location to another.
means any tree on private property which is voluntarily nominated
by the property owner, or any tree on public property which is designated
by the city council to be particularly valuable due to its species,
condition and/or age, or due to its cultural or historical significance.
means any organic plant material (shrubs, vines, turf, etc.).
means to prune, trim, fertilize, irrigate, or treat for injury
in a manner which will prolong the life span of the tree/landscape
material.
means the raised area within a street of varying width and
length which isn't used for vehicular traffic.
means a landscape plan which is required to be prepared by
a licensed landscape architect, as defined by the California Business
and Professions Code, Article 3, Section 5641.
means that part of land lying between the curb face and the
property line, or contained in a landscape or street tree easement.
means any plant which is planted in a parkway (right-of-way)
or a street tree easement.
means any perennial plant having a single main stem with
varying elongation, and containing a crown with a head of branches
and/or foliage.
means a collection of trees in and around the city including
street and yard trees, parks trees, and future suburb trees.
means the integration of drought tolerant plants, trees and
ground covers, with effective design, suitable soils and water management
technology.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
To assign responsibility and implementation authority, and to
ensure cooperation and coordination between city departments, in matters
pertaining to landscape resources, the following shall apply:
A.
All
required landscape and irrigation plans are subject to the approval
of the community development department in conjunction with the public
works department, with the former having ultimate approval authority
over plant material selection. Upon determination of the community
development director, the urban forest advisory committee shall be
consulted for recommendations.
B.
The
Community Development Department.
1.
Required
preliminary and detailed (on-site) landscape plans are subject to
approval of the community development department. The community development
department shall review and comment on landscape maintenance district
(off-site) landscape plans. With respect to landscape maintenance
district areas, the community development department shall ensure
that all components of plan are integrated and harmonious with on-site
landscaping and urban design plans.
2.
Permits
for removal, alteration, and placement of trees within public rights-of-way
and easements and for removal or alteration of designated landmark
trees on private property shall be reviewed by the community development
department.
3.
Agronomic
soils analyses are subject to the review and approval of the community
development department.
C.
The
Public Works Department.
1.
Required
irrigation system plans and landscape plans for landscape maintenance
district areas located in the public rights-of-way are subject to
the approval of the public works department.
2.
Permits
for removal, alteration, and placement of trees within public rights-of-way
and easements and for removal or alteration of designated landmark
trees on private property shall be issued by the public works department;
3.
Planting,
removal or replacement of approved street trees shall be monitored
by the public works department. All trees and vegetation installed
in landscape maintenance districts and public rights-of-way, shall
be planted and maintained according to the urban forest maintenance
schedule, master street tree list, specifications and planting details
incorporated herein as "Exhibit A."
4.
Agronomic
soils analyses are subject to the review and approval of the public
works department
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
The urban forestry advisory committee may be appointed by the
city council and may make recommendations to the city council on:
A.
The
aesthetics and appropriateness of all landscape plans for public projects
and for private development projects of three gross acres or more;
B.
Master
street tree list;
D.
Removal
of orange, grapefruit or other significant groves;
E.
Nomination
of landmark trees for adoption by the city council, with the property
owner's consent;
F.
Removal
of landmark trees, and;
G.
Address
unusual or unforseen circumstances affecting the goals and policies
of this chapter, but not specifically addressed herein.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
To ensure proper street tree selection and protection of the urban forest, no person shall excavate within the drip line or ten feet of a tree (whichever is greater), or install, replace, or alter any tree designated as a landmark (on private property with owner's consent) or any tree located within city parkways, (street rights-of-way), or street tree easements, without first obtaining a permit as specified in Section 17.74.080 — 17.74.100.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
An application for a permit for tree removal or alteration of
public trees (trees located within parkways, rights-ofway or street
tree easements) shall be submitted to the public works department
on printed application forms provided by same. The permit application
should provide the following minimum information:
A.
Written
and graphic (plot plan) details providing the description, number,
location, type and size of all trees/landscape material proposed to
be removed and/or relocated or altered; property lines; dimensions
of all easements affecting the removal or alteration; frontage streets;
center lines; right-of-ways; utilities;
B.
Written
justification for tree removal(s) (e.g., dead, dying, diseased, or
extreme hardship).
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
The community development and public works departments may require
reasonable conditions in granting a permit, including but not limited
to, a requirement that a security bond be posted to ensure compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
Each applicant shall pay a permit fee in an amount to be set
by resolution of the city council to cover the costs of administration.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
A.
Any
person who constructs a new building, or increases the floor area
of an existing main building by fifty percent (of original size) shall
provided a minimum of two twenty-four inch box trees. Applicants with
lots having greater than sixty-five lineal feet frontage shall provide
one tree per each thirty lineal feet. One thirty-six-inch box tree
shall be planted for each ten twenty-four-inch box trees required.
B.
Tree species shall be selected from the approved master street tree list. If acceptable parkway width does not exist, according to the parkway specifications set forth in master street tree list (Exhibit "A," Section 17.74.050 (c)), the applicant shall be required to dedicate additional parkway, which shall be deemed a "tree easement." The easement shall not exceed a total of ten feet in width, to facilitate the planting of said trees.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
No person shall begin construction of any building, structure
or improvement without first providing sufficient protection, such
as a fence, guard or frame, equivalent to a distance in feet from
the tree equal to the trunk diameter at breast height (4.5 feet),
to prevent injury to any park or street tree or landscape material
in connection with such construction. The protection shall be sufficient
to prevent any debris from entering into the tree guard. The costs
of such protection shall be borne by the person constructing said
improvements.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
All trees and vegetation planted in the city, as part of a required
landscape plan, shall be under the supervision of a licensed landscape
architect. All landscape architects are required to sign a certification
form, provided by the community development department, prior to the
granting of final occupancy, which verifies that all vegetation has
been planted in conformity with approved plans and is consistent with
adopted city specifications.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
An agronomic soils analysis shall be required for new development
projects, which affect city right-of-ways, and may be required as
part of the approval process for private development, other than single-family
residences. The applicant shall take a composite soil sampling, which
is representative of the major soil types present. The analysis shall
include fertility and suitability analysis and make recommendations
for soil amendments and post plant fertilization maintenance. The
analysis shall be submitted with the detailed landscape plan to the
community development and public works departments for review and
approval.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
A master street tree list which provides a list of suitable
tree species to be planted in parkways and tree easements, along all
city streets and street sections, shall be established by resolution
of the city council. The list shall further specify the minimum acceptable
parkway widths for each tree species on the list.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
All tree and landscape material (hedges, shrubs, etc.) abutting intersecting public or private streets, or occurring along irregularly shaped lots, shall conform to the provisions set forth in Article I, Sections 17.14.010 — 17.14.120. In addition, trees planted in parkways, or street tree easements shall be placed according to the following minimum setbacks:
A.
Ten
feet from street lamps;
B.
Eight
feet from fire hydrants;
C.
Five
feet from sidewalks (An alternative to this setback is to place street
trees one foot from the property line, where sidewalks abut the curb;
and where the curb is separated from the sidewalk by a parkway, in
the center of the parkway.);
D.
Eight
feet from sewer and water mains;
E.
Twenty-five
feet from stop signs.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
Urban design guidelines (master tree and landscape plans) which
address focal points, entry ways, corridors, street themes, back drops,
and other landscape design concepts recommended by the urban forestry
committee shall be adopted by resolution by the city council for specific
areas in the city. These guidelines shall be used to implement provisions
in this chapter.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
Landscape plans shall be prepared and submitted to the community development department, as part of applications for the precise plans of design, subdivisions, and small projects, except for a single-family residence on a single-family lot. Landscape maintenance district landscape plans shall be prepared for designated districts, or urban design guideline areas, as part of the above applications. All landscape plans shall be prepared consistent with Section 17.74.190 and 17.74 200.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
All preliminary landscape plans which are "non-exempt" shall
be prepared by a licensed landscape architect registered in the state
of California, and shall be wet stamped and signed. The requirements
for preliminary landscape plans shall be as follows:
A.
Architect
and owner name, address and phone number;
B.
Project
identification and title block;
C.
Vicinity
map (no scale);
D.
North
arrow and scale of drawing;
E.
Property
lines, vehicular and pedestrian circulation (right-of-ways, sidewalks),
easements, center lines and utility locations;
F.
All
existing and proposed structures and their dimensions;
G.
Existing
and proposed walls, trash enclosures, and transformer pads and similar
structures;
H.
Location,
quantity, size, spacing and species (common and botanical name) of
existing and proposed tree and plant material (including turf, ground
cover, shrubs, and vines);
I.
Indicate
proposed mounding or other unique inorganic features (rocks, walkways,
lighting and other);
J.
Total
square footage of landscaped areas;
K.
Minimum
specifications for height and caliper of trees;
L.
Preliminary
soils analysis (if required).
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
All "non-exempt" detailed landscape plans shall contain all provisions specified in Section 17.74.190 in addition to the following:
A.
Mylar
sheets, 24"x 36" with city title block;
B.
Location
of existing or proposed street furniture (benches, trash enclosures,
etc.) ornamentation and lighting;
C.
Details
and specifications which show all work to be performed, including
staking, planting, soil preparation, and grading;
D.
Detailed
irrigation plan showing the following:
1.
Location
and size of all water meters and points of connection,
2.
Pipe
size, class and/or schedule for irrigation system,
3.
Pressure
loss calculations for longest and shortest irrigation circuit,
4.
Location,
manufacturer, model number of backflow prevention devices, automatic
controller, sprinkle heads, quick couplers, hose bibs, gate valves,
and remote control valves;
E.
F.
Detailed
landscape plan for landscape maintenance district areas shall provide
tree species which are consistent with the city's approved master
street tree list;
G.
Additional
statements necessary to convey design rationale;
I.
Minimum
specifications for height and caliper of trees;
J.
1.
Landscaping,
screening and maintenance plan shall be required for:
a.
Parking lots associated with new development,
b.
Parking lots serving buildings for which additions, remodels and/or
floor area expansions are being proposed,
c.
Parking lots serving buildings for which a change of use that creates
an increase demand for parking is being proposed, and
d.
Change of occupancy which is subject to a precise plan of design.
2.
Parking
lot landscape, screening and maintenance plans shall conform to the
following standards:
3.
Parking
lot landscape, screening and maintenance plans shall be judged according
to guidelines adopted and amended from time to time by the planning
commission.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992; Ord. 516 § 3, 1995)
To preserve public safety and reliability in the construction,
operation, and maintenance of overhead, underground electric lines
and facilities, the public utility companies shall be exempt from
all provisions, requirements and restrictions of this chapter.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
No person, entity, or corporation shall interfere with any city
official acting under their capacity while engaged in planting, removing,
replacing, or maintaining any tree or vegetation in any street, park
or public place within the city.
(Ord. 468 § 1, 1992)
