City of Galt Landscape Design Guidelines CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES CITY COUNCIL Mark Crews, Mayor Barbara Payne, Vice Mayor Curt Campion Lori Heuer Marylou Powers PLANNING COMMISSION Paul Sandhu, Chair Leann McFadden, Vice Chair Doug Cannell Sherri Daley Craig Morris CITY STAFF Jason Behrmann, City Manager Steve Rudolph, City Attorney Tony Stewart, AICP, Community Development Director Steve Winkler, Public Works Director Chris Erias, Principal Planner Tina Barclay, Administrative Assistant Jeff Gamboni, ASLA, Contract Landscape Architect MAY 2015 2 CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES Table of Contents Section Page 1. Introduction and Purpose………………………………………………………………………4 2. Applicability…………………………………………………………………………..……….4 3. General Requirements…………………………………………………………………………5 4. Guidelines for Residential Landscaping………………………………………………………10 5. Guidelines for Landscaping of Non-Residential Projects……………………………………..12 6. Parkway Design Requirements……………………………………………………………….14 7. Plant Lists………………………………………………………………………………..……29 8. Street List……………………………………………………………………………………..44 9. Maintenance Requirements……………………..…………………………………………..…45 10. Specification Sheets……………………………………………………………………..…...46 Appendices…………………………………………………………………………………….…53 MAY 2015 3 CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE The purpose of landscaping is to provide aesthetic enhancement of a project site, screen objectionable objects from public view, and soften the built environment. A successful landscape design will consider the appropriate use of plant materials in terms of climate, water use, size and intended use of the plants, proper plant spacing and long term maintenance needs for each plant type. These guidelines shall be used when preparing landscape plans in conjunction with applications for new or modified development in the City of Galt. The guidelines replace the City’s former Landscape Manual. These guidelines serve to establish the minimum landscape design standards, without dictating specific planting design, for private residential and nonresidential development projects, as well as for landscaping along certain parkways in the City. Additionally, the guidelines provide direction for the planting of street trees, landscaping under the driplines of oak trees, and lists trees that are prohibited in the City. It is the City’s expectation that all plans for new or modified landscaping in the City be drought- tolerant and compatible with the area’s climate. All plans for new or modified landscaping shall be consistent with the state of California’s Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 and with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations), as well as all other applicable state-mandated regulations. All landscape plans shall be consistent with these Guidelines and with the Galt Municipal Code. Refer also to the Landscape Plan Submittal Requirements, available at the City of Galt Community Development Department, or on the City’s website. To aid in the interpretation of these guidelines, the applicant will encounter directives such as “should”, “encourages” and “discouraged”. The term “should” is intended to express the City’s preferred expectations. The terms “encouraged” and “discouraged” are meant to express a more or less desirable design solution. These guidelines are a working document, and therefore, may change without notice. It is the reader’s responsibility to be fully aware of all City and other applicable codes which pertain to landscaping, whether or not they are specifically discussed or mentioned herein. SECTION 2 - APPLICABILITY These guidelines are applicable to the design of landscaping for all new residential developments (except by a single-family homeowner at his/her own residence) and new non-residential developments. These guidelines are further applicable to new plantings along certain parkways discussed herein, to ensure continuity of landscaping along these corridors. These guidelines shall also be applicable to all applications wherein the applicant is proposing to modify previously approved and/or planted landscaping for residential and non-residential projects, and the parkways noted herein. MAY 2015 4 CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES SECTION 3 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Percentage of Landscape Area. When preparing a landscape plan, provide the following calculations expressed as a percentage of total landscaped area (the landscaped area is defined as the parcel area minus the building pad, driveway, and parking areas). Turf and/or waterscape area shall not exceed 25% of the total landscape area (single-family residential lots and the Carillion Boulevard and Walnut Avenue landscape easements are exceptions to this rule). The landscape plan should indicate the following, as applicable: A. PLANTING AREA (Non-turf); B. TURF AREA; C. HARDSCAPE AREA (walkways, patios, etc., excluding driveway, circulation aisles and parking areas); D. WATERSCAPE AREA (fountains, waterfalls, streams, ponds, etc.). 2. Consistency with California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. All landscape plans shall demonstrate consistency with the State of California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (refer to Appendix A) and all other applicable state regulations, per Galt Municipal Code Section 18.52.040.C. 3. Plant Selection. The landscape plan shall demonstrate compliance with the following: A. Plant materials should reflect the approved architectural theme of the subject development, while giving careful attention to the transitioning of the proposed landscape with the surrounding landscape. B. The proposed plant materials should include a diverse combination of plant types and sizes, including combinations of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers. At least 90% of the plants selected in non-turf areas shall be well-suited to the climate of the region and require minimal water once established. Up to 10% of the plants may be of non-drought tolerant varieties as long as they are grouped together and can be irrigated separately. C. Turf areas shall not exceed 25% of the total landscaped area (i.e., the parcel less the building pad, driveway and parking areas). Due to water conservation needs and requirements, the use of turf is not recommended. However, when turf is used, drought resistant varieties should be used. Turf shall not be installed within 10’-0” of the dripline of native oak trees. No turf shall be allowed: In median strips; MAY 2015 5 CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES In areas less than eight (8) feet wide (except on approved parkways); On slopes with a length to height ration of 4 to 1 or greater; Adjacent to walls. 4. Planting Arrangement. Plants need room to develop rooting structures, canopies, and spread. For best results, plants should be spaced to ensure that not more than 1/3 of the plant’s mature canopy/spread will overlap into another plant’s. Therefore, give careful consideration to the following plant spacing matters when preparing the landscape plan: The special arrangements (linear rows, groupings or massing); The surrounding surface treatment and surface opening at the base of the plant (i.e., need for tree wells and root barriers); The proximity of the plants to surrounding buildings and existing landscaping; The location of trees in proximity to light poles and utility poles/wires; The need for the plant to provide acceptable screening (for utility equipment, parking lots, etc.); The plant’s growth rate and coverage requirements. Unless otherwise approved, shrubs should be spaced to fill in 100% of the proposed planting areas within two (2) years after planting and all groundcover plantings should be spaced to fill in 100% of the proposed planting area within one Utility equipment screening (1) year after planting; and Watering needs. Plantings should be grouped into “hydrozones” (plants having similar water use and microclimate growing requirements). 5. Infill Landscaping. Infill development (defined as new development adjoining existing development) may require upsized and/or are closely spaced landscaping when planting adjacent to existing landscaping, to ensure the new landscaping blends in with the surrounding established landscaping. Screening 6. Shade. Planting design should take into account future shade conditions by specifying plants that are adaptable to increasing shade due to broadening tree canopies. MAY 2015 6 CITY OF GALT LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES 7. Entryway Landscaping. Entryway landscaping (i.e., for residential communities, shopping centers, etc.) is encouraged and should include design elements that are common to the proposed development. Design elements may include, but are not limited to, raised planters, specimen trees (48” box container size and larger), upsized plantings, water features, etc. 8. Slope Planting. Slope plantings require special attention to prevent erosion and runoff. Bio-degradable erosion control Entryway Landscaping matting is required on slopes exceeding 4:1. In addition, select plants that will bind the soil either by strong rooting habit or low lying stems. Refer to the Slope Plant List in Section 7. Lawn is not to be specified on slopes exceeding 4:1 of immediately adjacent to walls or fences. 9. Landscaping in Public Rights-of-Way. Guying of trees is not permitted in the public right-of-way. All trees are to be double-staked except for needle-bearing conifers. The minimum