HomeMy WebLinkAbout79-18 Adopting Landscaping Requirements and Standards for all Districts, Except R1ORDINANCE NO. 79-18
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA AMENDING TITLE 13 OF THE COSTA MESA
MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
AND STANDARDS FOR ALL DISTRICTS, EXCEPT R1
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY 0R1AIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby finds and
declares as follows:
1. That increasing pressures and demands are being made on the use of
land throughout our community.
2. That these pressures dictate the use of well designed and maintained
landscaping to mitigate the effects of urbanization on the streetscape of the City.
3. That this landscaping improves commmity appearance and enhances
property values thus prcmoting the general welfare of the citizens of Costa Mesa.
4. That existing requirements and standards are inadequate to accomplish
these goals.
5. That these regulations are necessary and proper to accomplish the purpose
and intent of promoting the general health, safety, and general welfare of the
public.
ACCORDINGLY, The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa herewith amends
Title 13 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code by adding Sections and Articles as
hereinafter set :orth:
SECTICN 2:
CHAPTER II ARTICLE 18 - LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
§13-263 - Intent
It is the intent of this ordinance to offer as much latitude as
possible when designing required landscaping. The applicant is
encouraged to take full advantage of the wide range of landscape
materials and designs possible within the framework established
try these guidelines.
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§13-264 - General Provisions
(1) Landscape and irrigation plans shall be required (except in the Rl
District) for all projects requiring approval by the Development Services
Director, Planning Commission, or City Council. Such plans shall be sub-
mitted for approval to the Development Services Director. Said plans
shall be prepared in accordance with requirements and standards establish-
ed by the Development Services Director pursuant to this Article and
maintained in the Planning Division. All unpaved areas shall be planted
with an effective combination of trees, groundcover, lawn, shrubbery
and/or approved dry landscape materials.
(2) When the provisions of this Article conflict with other sections
of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code, the more stringent shall apply.
(3) Any modification to an approved landscape or irrigation plan must
be approved by the Development Services Director prior to installation
of said landscaping or irrigation.
(4) All appravals of such plans are subject to and dependent upon the
applicant ccoplying with all applicable ordinances, codes, regulations,
adopted policies and the payment of all applicable fees and assessments.
(5) No final inspection or occupancy clearance will be granted until
all of the landscaping and irrigation is installed in accordance with
the approved plans.
(6) Landscaping and irrigation systems shall be located, designed, and
maintained as specified on the approved plans.
§13-265 - Irrigation Requirements
(1) All landscaped areas shall be provided with an approved irrigation
system. Landscaped areas shall be provided with an automatically time -
controlled sprinkler system when the site is zoned ccmmercial or indus-
trial, or when the site is zoned residential and permits rare than three
dwelling units.
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(2) The irrigation system shall consist of underground piped water lines
and sprinklers designed to provide head-to-head coverage. Water meter and
line sizes shall be calculated fram total water demand which should be, at
least, the sum of the maximum irrigation demand and all building demand.
Due to varying irrigation requirements, separate control valves and/or
sprinkler heads shall be used when shrubs and turf all appear on the same
landscape plan. The irrigation system shall be designed so that overspray
onto structures, streets, sidewalks, windows, walls and fences is minimized.
§13-266 - Landscaping Requirements
(1) All required landscaped areas, including landscaped areas within
parking lots, shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(a) One (minimum 15 gallon) tree shall be provided for every 200
square feet of landscaped area. Twenty percent (20%) of the
required trees shall be twenty-four inch box (24") minimum. The
number of required trees may be reduced by the Development Services
Director when it is determined that an alternative design will meet
the intent of subsections (4), (5), and (6). All trees shall be
staked in accordance with standards maintained by the Leisure
Services Department.
(b) One shrub shall be provided for every 25 square feet of open space.
Fifty percent of the required shrubs shall be a minimum of 5 gallon.
The number of required shrubs may be reduced by the Development
Services Director when it is determined that an alternative design
will meet the intent of subsections (4), (5), and (6).
(c) All landscaped areas shall be underplanted with groundcover ap-
proved by the Development Services Director. Substitute materials
may be approved pursuant to subsection (9).
(2) All required setbacks abutting a public right-of-way shall be land-
scaped (except for walks and driveways which provide access from a
public right-of-way).
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(3) The Development Services Director may require landscaping in ex-
cess of the minimum area specified for a proposed development provided
that the additional landscaping is necessary to:
(a) screen adjacent uses from parking areas, activities, storage
or structures that could cause a negative impact on adjacent
uses based on aesthetics, noise, odors, etc.; or
(b) provide landscaping that is compatible with neighboring uses.
(4) Each landscape plan shall be compatible with the shape and topography
of the site and the architectural characteristics of the structure(s) on
the site. Each landscape plan shall be compatible with the character of
adjacent landscaping, provided the quality of the adjacent landscaping
meets the standard of these guidelines. However, it is not the intent of
this section to require the use of identical plant materials or landscape
designs. Where existing mature landscaping is in good, healthful condi-
tion, an effort shall be made to retain and to incorporate said land-
scaping into the overall landscape theme.
(5) Each landscape plan shall illustrate a concern for design ele-
ments such as balance, scale, texture, form and unity.
(6) Each landscape plan shall address the functional aspects of land-
scaping such as drainage, erosion prevention, wind barriers, provisions
for shade, reduction of glare. Each landscape plan shall demonstrate a
concern for solar access, including exposure and shading of window areas.
(7) The plant material selected shall be suitable for the given soil
and climate conditions.
(8) Landscaping shall be used to relieve solid, unbroken elevations and
to soften continuous wall expanses.
(9) Materials such as crushed rock, redwood chips, pebbles and stone are
not satisfactory substitutes for live plant materials although their limited
use iray be approved by the Development Services Director. Artificial plants
are not acceptable.
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(10)
Landscaping
shall be maintained in
an orderly and healthy condi-
tion.
This shall
include proper pruning,
mowing of lawns, weeding, re-
moval of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and
regular watering.
(11) Landscaping may be required to screen storage areas, trash en-
closures, parking areas, public utilities, freeways, highways, and other
similar land uses or elements which do not contribute to the enhancement
of the surrounding area. Where plants are required for screening, such
screening shall consist of the use of evergreen shrubs (minimum 5 gallon),
and/or trees closely spaced.
(12) Perimeter landscaping adjacent to the property lines is encouraged
in parking areas. Planter area curbs may be used in place of wheel stops.
(13) All landscaping shall be separated from parking and vehicular circu-
lation areas by a raised, continuous 6" (six inch) Portland Cement Concrete
curb. Other materials which accomplish the same purpose may be approved
by the Development Services Director.
(14) Landscaping within the interior of parking areas shall be provided
in accordance with the requirements of the underlying zone.
SECTION 3: This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect
thirty (30) days from and after its passage, and shall be published once in the
Orange Coast Daily Pilot, a newspaper of general circulation printed and published
in the City of Costa Mesa, together with the names of the members of the City Council
voting for and against the same.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this -� day of , 1979.
� l
Mayor of the Ci of to sa
ATPFST:
`j' FTC, 0the City of Costa sa
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney Development Services Director
STATE OF CALIFOINIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, EILEEN P. PHINNEY, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of
the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing Ordinance No. 79-18
was introduced and considered section by section at a regular meeting of said City
Council head on the 20th day of August, 1979, and thereafter passed and ado p ed as a
whole at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the day of
1979, by the following roll call vote: '
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: q
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: 17Z6-x..e.�
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto et my hand and affixed the Seal of the City
of Costa Mesa this day of , 1979.
City Clerk and ex -officio Cler o e
City Council of the City of CAbts Mesa