§ 14-314. Landscaping and buffers—Maintenance criteria.

(a)

Approved landscape plans. All properties which developed under specifically approved landscape plans shall be required to maintain the materials shown on such plans according to subsection (d) below, within the following parameters:

(1)

Trees. All trees shall be maintained as shown on the plans. Replacement trees, if necessary, must meet the size criteria of section 14-315, and must be from the same general category, i.e., shade trees, understory trees, palms, etc. In buffering applications, evergreen trees may be replaced only with evergreen species.

(2)

Shrubs. All shrubs shall be maintained as shown on the plans. Required buffer shrubs shall be grown to and maintained at a minimum height of five feet, with regular trimming and pruning to foster dense growth. Shrubs required along parking areas shall be maintained at a minimum height of three feet. Other shrubs shall be maintained at a reasonable mature height for the species.

(3)

Lawns. Lawns shall be maintained as shown on the plans. Alternative living ground covers may be utilized as desired. Approved mulch materials may be used in designated lawn areas:

a.

To accommodate new or expanded planting areas and their natural growth.

b.

In natural areas or areas of heavy shade where lawn maintenance has been unsuccessful.

c.

In limited areas subject to foot traffic where maintenance has been unsuccessful.

(4)

Natural areas. Natural areas shall be left generally undisturbed, with no removal of natural material except for weeds and dead material. Natural areas may be underbrushed and sodded or mulched with city approval.

(5)

Other planting areas. Other planting areas shown on the plans shall be maintained with similar materials to those originally specified. Annual flower beds may be converted to permanent material with at least a two-month flowering period, or material with berries, colorful flower bracts, or variegated foliage to simulate the original design intent.

(b)

Properties without landscape plans developed after June 16, 1976. Where properties have developed without specifically approved landscape plans or such plans cannot be located, the property shall be required to meet the minimum standards in effect at the time of development. In addition, such properties shall be required to maintain any additional plantings above code minimums in place as of June 21, 1989. Criteria for maintenance and replacement shall parallel those of subsection (a) above and subsection (d) below.

(c)

Properties developed prior to the adoption of minimum landscape standards on June 16, 1976. Where properties developed prior to the above date without a specific landscape plan, the property will only be required to maintain those plantings existing on June 21, 1989. However, these properties will be subject to the provisions of section 14-316.

(d)

Required maintenance and anticipated growth and coverage. The following criteria shall be used to evaluate the maintenance and growth of all landscape plantings:

(1)

Existing trees preserved during development shall be maintained so as to provide the greatest opportunity for survival. Such maintenance shall include, as necessary, the following activities:

a.

Trimming and pruning to reduce stress.

b.

Soil aeration.

c.

Deep root fertilization.

(2)

Landscape plantings shall be maintained based on accepted professional practices to include regular irrigation, fertilization, pest control, weed control, and trimming and pruning.

(3)

Reasonable growth shall be based on accepted industry standards.

(4)

All trees and shrubs shall be trimmed so as not to interfere with pedestrian and vehicle movements.

(5)

Mulched areas shall be maintained so as to provide solid coverage and reasonable weed control.

(6)

Natural areas shall be kept free of garbage, trash and other foreign materials. Dead material shall be removed and replaced as required by this article. Natural area edges and other disturbed areas shall be mulched or sodded with weed growth controlled.

(7)

Irrigation systems must be maintained in proper working order to provide 100 percent coverage of planted landscaped areas.

(Code 1981, § 6-322)