§ 47-21.3. General provisions and design standards.

A.

Low impact site design practices, such as preserving existing native trees and vegetation, shall be used to the extent feasible. Irrigation shall not be required in area where established native vegetation is incorporated into the landscape design.

B.

The plant palette and irrigation system shall be site appropriate, based on current acceptable industry standards, for site conditions, taking into account that, in some cases, soil improvement can enhance water use efficiency.

C.

Plants shall be grouped together by irrigation demand. The percentage of landscaped area in irrigated high water use hydrozones shall be minimized.

D.

All landscapes must be designed and planted in accordance with Florida-Friendly Landscaping ^TM principles. The percentage of landscaped area, excluding turfgrass areas, in irrigated high water use hydrozones shall be no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total non-turfgrass landscaped area.

E.

When designing landscapes, fruit-bearing trees and plants should be considered as part of a sustainable and edible landscape.

F.

When designing landscapes to support wildlife, nectar-producing native plants, shrubs and trees should be incorporated as much as possible to provide food-sources for nectar-consuming pollinators such as butterflies, moths, bees, hummingbirds and bats.

G.

Site designs and landscape plans shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Florida and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances. All landscape and irrigation system designs shall be consistent with the standards developed pursuant to Section 373.228, Florida Statutes, as amended.

H.

The landscape plan shall consider natural drainage features to minimize runoff. The use of pervious surfaces and areas is preferred; therefore, impervious surfaces and materials within the landscaped area shall be limited to borders, sidewalks, step stones, parking lots, and other similar materials, and shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the landscaped area. Use of pervious paving materials, where appropriate, is encouraged.

I.

The landscape plan should consider the soil requirements for trees based on their size at maturity and their distance from any adjacent paved/hardscape areas and utility infrastructure. Larger soil volumes lead to greater tree size, better tree health, longer tree life, greater environmental benefits, and fewer costs, such as those associated with tree replacement and damage by roots to property improvements and infrastructure.

( Ord. No. C-15-09, § 3, 2-17-15 )