The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the "Landscaping Requirements of the Guadalupe Zoning Ordinance."
(Ord. 190 §1, 1980)
Landscaping shall be used to provide screening of parking areas, usable open space, privacy screening, noise barriers and visual accents to the development.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.3, 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
In all zones, excepting single-family residential uses, with all construction of new buildings, moving in of buildings, and expansion in floor area of existing buildings, and expansion in floor area of existing buildings by more than 10%, landscaping shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.1, 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
A. 
Not less than 10% of a parcel shall be covered with dense landscaping that consists of trees, plants and shrubs and may include fencing, fence panels, masonry and other structural decorative items. No more than 75% of the required landscaping shall consist of lawns and/or ground cover, including no or only sparse planting of plants, shrubs or trees. Screening shall be at least 5 feet in height, except that no landscaping shall exceed 3 feet in height within 5 feet of a property line that is within 35 feet of a street corner.
B. 
In meeting the screening height requirements, landscaping materials that would grow to 5 feet may be 2 feet shorter at the time of installation. Not more than 2 feet of an earthen berm or mound may count toward height requirements. All height shall be measured from the normal finish grade of the parcel.
C. 
A sprinkler or other irrigation system shall be installed as part of the landscaping.
D. 
All shrubs and plants shall be of a minimum size of one gallon, or equivalent, at the time of installation, and all trees shall be of a minimum size of 5 gallons, or equivalent, at the time of installation.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.4, 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
A landscaping plan shall be filed with the other plans. It shall be prepared by a person licensed by the State to prepare landscape plans and shall be certified by the preparer as being appropriate for the climate and soils of the parcel, and shall include a list of the number and sizes of plant material included.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(A), 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
A. 
The landscaping plan shall be drawn accurately to scale, and contain the following information:
1. 
The boundary of the applicant's property;
2. 
The location of all existing and proposed buildings or structures;
3. 
The location of all paved areas, existing and proposed;
4. 
The location and nature of all areas presently landscaped which are to remain;
5. 
The location and specific designation of all proposed landscaping, drawn at a scale and in sufficient detail to clearly indicate the specific plant materials and landscape structures or facilities.
B. 
The Zoning Administrator shall reject any plans that are inadequate, for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(B), 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
The plan shall be submitted in 3 copies, together with a processing fee as set by resolution. However, should the plan be referred to the Planning Commission, the applicant shall provide 5 more copies.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(C), 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
The City Administrator shall review the plan and approve it if found in accord with the standards and intent of this chapter. If the plan is disapproved, the Administrator shall report to the applicant the reasons therefor. If the Administrator finds that exceptional conditions apply which require increasing or decreasing the standards set in this chapter, the plan shall be referred to the Planning Commission.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(D), 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
In the event that the applicant disagrees with a disapproval of a plan by the Administrator, the applicant may appeal the matter to the Planning Commission by filing a written notice of appeal which specifically states what action by the Planning Commission the applicant desires.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(E), 1980; Ord. 189 §2, 1980)
After plan approval, the installation of the plan shall be completed before final approval and occupancy of the building or expansion related to the landscaping, except that a 30-day delay may be granted on application and the filing with the City of a cash bond in the amount of 150% of the work to be completed as mutually agreed, which bond shall be forfeited at the end of the 30-day period and may be used by the City to complete the landscaping work.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.5(F), 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)
All required landscaping shall be maintained in good condition. Such maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, moving, weeding, cleaning, fertilizing and watering. Whenever necessary, plant materials shall be replaced, and any structural materials included in the basic landscaping design shall be repaired or replaced.
(Ord. 189 Art. 4 §10.2, 1980; Ord. 190 §2, 1980)