§ 12-1.03. Standards of Landscape Design.

(a)

Plan Preparation. It is required that a licensed landscape architect, landscape contractor, architect, or engineer, be employed in preparing the landscape and irrigation plans. In addition to plants, the use of structural elements like pools, fountains, raised planters, benches and sunshades are encouraged but not required in the landscape plan.

Prior to plan preparation, the Public Works Director should be contacted for street tree information to ensure the landscape plantings will not interfere with the City's tree planting plan. Underground Service Alert and Modesto Irrigation District should also be contacted to avoid conflict with existing or proposed utility lines or appurtenances.

(b)

Plant Materials. The selection of plant materials should include both evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and attractive erosion-preventing ground cover. It is required that at least ninety (90) percent of the plants selected in nonturf areas be well suited to the climate of the region and require minimal water once established in the landscape. Up to ten (10) percent of the plants may be of a nondrought-tolerant variety as long as they are grouped together and can be irrigated separately. Attention shall be given to appearance, height, spread, growth rate, moisture requirements, potential root damage, disease, and pest susceptibility, climatic adaptability, soil type slope, function, and degree of maintenance required.

(c)

Plant Coverage. Plants shall be so spaced and sized that, when mature, they will fill the planter area. Although a reasonable number of growing seasons will be allowed for full plant coverage to develop, interim ground cover shall be provided during this period. Interim cover of surfacing materials shall consist of rocks, gravel, wood mulch or chips, or any other acceptable material. Mulches must be a minimum of three (3) inches thick when used as an interim measure.

(d)

Plant Maintenance. Underground-automated irrigation systems shall be provided to assure efficient water use with a minimum of labor and water waste. Irrigation controllers must have multiple-cycle capabilities and include a rain-sensing override device. Plant material must be maintained in a healthy condition. Unhealthy plants shall be replaced. Planters shall be kept free of all weeds, debris and trash.

(e)

Planter Construction. All planter islands shall have a peripheral concrete or permanent border as approved by the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Director to prevent cars and pedestrians from damaging plant materials. All planters constructed adjacent to buildings or structures shall be designed so as to avoid irrigation water intrusion into or on that adjacent building or structure. The minimum width of a planter bed shall be four (4) feet measured from the inside of curbing or permanent border.

(f)

Compacted Soils. Prior to the planting of any materials, the compacted soils surrounding a building site shall be cultivated or amended to a friable condition. "Friable condition" shall mean cultivation or amendment of the soil to an easily crumbled or loosely compacted condition down to a minimum depth per planting material requirements, whereby the root structure of newly planted material will be allowed to spread unimpeded.

(Added by Ord. 2355 § 1, amended by Ord. 2836-C.S., § 1, Ord. 3072-C.S., § 2, Ord. 3313-C.S., § 1, and Ord. 3369-C.S., § 1, effective 12-9-04)