HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit I - Model Code Landscaping StandardsMCArt16Definitions.doc
Model Land Use Code for Colorado Counties A Model Land Use Code for Colorado’s Small to Medium Sized Counties Prepared for Colorado Department of Local Affairs by Sullivan Green Seavy
LLC and Norris Design November 2008 Exhibit I
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Landscaping MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-45 November 2008 loading areas with opaque materials and control of illumination.
The landscaping and screening shall comply with the standards of Section 7-305 A11, Landscaping Within Off-Street Parking Areas. Lighting shall comply with the standards of Section 7-305
B, Lighting Standards. Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards. A. Landscaping. 1. Basic Standards a. Maintenance. All plant materials must be kept in a healthy condition. Dead
plants must be removed and replaced as necessary. (1) Newly installed landscaping must include a properly functioning automated sprinkler and/or drip irrigation system, with individual
zones for nonturf areas. b. Restoration and Revegetation of Disturbed Areas. All portions of the site where existing vegetative cover is damaged or removed, that are not otherwise covered
with new improvements, shall be successfully revegetated with a mix of native, adaptive and drought tolerant grasses and ground covers. The density of the reestablished vegetation must
be adequate to prevent soil erosion and invasion of weeds after one growing season. c. Installation. All plant materials shall be installed in the best possible manner to ensure their
continued viability. Shrub and flower beds must be lined with a weed barrier mesh (or similar material designed for weed control) to prevent the introduction of noxious weeds. d. Protection
of Existing Trees and Shrubs. All landscaping plans shall include provisions to protect existing trees and shrubs that are to be preserved and integrated within the planting areas. (1)
Construction materials and debris shall be stockpiled outside dripline areas, a minimum distance of 1½ times the dripline perimeter. The stockpile area shall
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Landscaping MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-46 November 2008 be clearly marked with temporary fencing or other similar
material. e. Landscaping Must Be Located On-Site. All required landscaping must be located on the property it serves. f. Location of Plantings With Regard to Right-of-Ways. All required
landscaping must be located outside of any adjacent right-of-way unless a written waiver is received from the [Administrator/Director]. g. Contents of Planting Beds. All planting beds
shall contain a combination of organic and inorganic materials. Living plant material must comprise at least fifty (50) percent of the planting bed. 2. Multi-Unit Residential Development
and Commercial, and Industrial Development. a. Lots in a residential zoning district which contain multi-unit residential development and lots in the commercial and industrial zoning
districts shall be landscaped in the areas not covered by impervious materials. b. Landscaping shall be installed to effectively buffer proposed commercial or industrial uses from surrounding
residential uses and to provide a landscaped buffer along collector and arterial streets. c. Landscaping in multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial development areas shall
be used to screen from view uses such as trash enclosures, storage areas, mechanical equipment, loading docks, and similar items where such areas are visible from public roads, sidewalks
or open space. 3. Residential Subdivision and Planned Unit Development (PUD). a. Landscaping in a residential subdivision or planned unit development shall be consistent with the character
of the development, the unique ecosystem and specific environment in which the development is located.
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Landscaping MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-47 November 2008b. Landscaping in a residential subdivision or planned
unit development shall be used to screen from view uses such as trash enclosures, storage areas, mechanical equipment and similar items where such areas are visible from public roads,
sidewalks or open space. 4. Cover. Non-living ground cover may include decorative gravel, bark mulch, river rock or similar materials. Decorative elements, such as walks, decks, terraces,
water features and similar features may be included. Planting beds may not contain more than 50% non-living ground cover. 5. Plants Compatible with Local Conditions. All plants used
for landscaping shall be compatible with the local climate and the soils, drainage and water conditions of the site. When planting occurs on hillsides, slopes, drainage ways or similar
natural areas, plant material should duplicate adjacent plant communities both in species composition and special distribution patterns. Whenever possible, drought-resistant varieties
of plant materials shall be utilized. Xeriscape design principles and the use of native plant species shall be used when appropriate. 6. Existing Vegetation. The landscape plan shall
be designed so that healthy trees, native vegetation and natural or significant rock outcroppings and other valuable features are preserved and integrated within planting areas. Existing
healthy trees and shrubs that are preserved shall count towards the landscaping standards of this Division. 7. Minimum Size. To ensure healthy plant materials are installed in new development,
trees and shrubs shall comply with the quality standards of the Colorado Nursery Act (1973) Title 35, Article 36, C.R.S., as amended. a. Deciduous Trees. Deciduous trees shall be a minimum
of two inches (2”) in caliper measured four (4) inches above the ground. b. Coniferous Trees. Coniferous trees shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height, measured from the top of
the root ball to the top of the tree.
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Landscaping MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-48 November 2008c. Ornamental Trees. Ornamental trees shall be a minimum
of one and one-half (1.5) inches in caliper, measured four (4) inches above the ground. d. Shrubs and Vines. Shrubs shall be a minimum of one (1) foot in height at time of planting.
Vines shall be in a minimum one (1) gallon container. 8. Minimum Number of Trees and Shrubs. Trees and shrubs must be grouped in strategic areas and not spread thinly around the site.
Where screening is required, plant materials must be sufficient to create a semi-opaque wall of plant material between the property and the adjoining area to be screened. 9. Parking
and Storage Prohibited. Areas required as landscaping shall not be used for parking, outdoor storage and similar uses, but may be used for snow storage if designed in compliance with
Section 7-306, Snow Storage Standards. 10. Obstruction Prohibited. a. Clear Vision Area. Clear vision areas shall be designated in compliance with Section 7-304 O2, provisions of the
[County Road Standards], applicable requirements of the Colorado Department of Transportation, and as otherwise deemed necessary for public health and safety. Plant materials shall be
limited to thirty (30) inches in height within the clear vision area to avoid visibility obstructions or blind corners at intersections.
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Landscaping MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-49 November 2008Figure 7-305 A10, Clear Vision Areas b. Fire Hydrants and
Utilities. Landscaping shall not obstruct fire hydrants or utility boxes and shall be installed so it will not grow into any overhead utility lines. Trees and shrubs shall not be planted
within four (4) feet of existing overhead or underground lines. 11. Landscaping Within Off-Street Parking Areas. All off-street parking areas containing fifteen (15) or more spaces shall
provide landscape buffers when adjacent to street rights-of-way. Landscape buffers may be achieved through the use of earthen berms, shrubs, trees or other appropriate materials to effectively
screen the parking area from the rights-of-way. a. Interior Parking Areas. Planting shall be established to break up the interior of all parking areas. Landscape planting islands shall
be a minimum of eight feet (8’) in width to ensure adequate room for planting.
ARTICLE 7 STANDARDS Section 7-305 Landscaping and Lighting Standards: Lighting Standards MODEL COUNTY LAND USE CODE 7-50 November 2008 Figure 7-305 A11: Center Planting Strip B. Lighting
Standards. Any outdoor light used for the illumination of parking areas, loading areas and recreation areas, or for any other private or public purpose, shall meet the following conditions.
1. Downcast lighting. Exterior lighting shall be designed so that light is directed inward, towards the interior of the subdivision or site. 2. Shielded Lighting. Exterior lighting shall
be fully shielded or arranged in a manner so that concentrated rays of light will not shine directly onto other properties. 3. Hazardous Lighting. The direct or reflected light from
any light source shall not create a traffic hazard. Colored lights shall not be used in such a way as to be confused or construed as traffic control devices. 4. Flashing Lights. Blinking,
flashing or fluttering lights, or other illuminated device which has a changing light intensity, brightness, or color shall be prohibited in all zoning districts. 5. Height Limitations.
Light sources which exceed [twenty-five (25) feet] in height shall not be allowed, except for temporary holiday displays or as required by local, state or federal regulations. Section
7-306 Snow Storage Standards. The following standards shall apply on any property that contains two-unit or multi-unit residential development, commercial or industrial uses, or a common
outdoor parking area established