§ 27A-504. Streetscape Standards.

(a)

General Provisions.

(1)

All plant material (including trees) shall pass any inspections required under State regulations.

(2)

All plant material within the Street-Space shall be irrigated and maintained by the abutting property owner.

(3)

All turf grass shall be solidly sodded at installation—not seeded, sprigged, or plugged. Vegetative groundcovers may be used in place of turf grass.

(4)

In addition to the lot, the owner shall maintain the following areas:

(A)

The portion of the Street-Space between their lot line and the back of the curb.

(B)

The portion of the Alley between the lot line and the edge of the Alley pavement.

(5)

Mechanical and electrical equipment including, but not limited to, air compressors, pumps, exterior water heaters, water softeners, private garbage cans (not including public sidewalk waste bins), and storage tanks shall not be stored or located within any Street-Space. Water pumps not visible are not included in this prohibition. Temporary placement of private garbage cans within the Street-Space may be allowed to accommodate scheduled pick-up.

(b)

Street Trees.

(1)

Each Street-Space shall have Street Trees planted along the Street Tree Alignment Line (generally 3 to 3½ feet from the back of the curb unless otherwise specified in the approved Regulating Plan) at an average spacing not greater than thirty (30) feet on center, calculated per each Block face. Where necessary, spacing allowances may be made to accommodate curb cuts, fire hydrants and other infrastructure elements; however, at no location may Street Tree spacing exceed fifty (50) feet on center. Required tree planting area configurations are specified in the Section 27A-503 and below.

(2)

Required tree planting area minimum specifications are as follows:

(A)

Soil surface area shall not be less than ninety (90) square feet per isolated tree or sixty (60) square feet per tree for connected (Tree Lawn) situations.

(B)

No dimension of the soil surface area may be less than five and a half (5 ½) feet.

(C)

These requirements may be met through the use of bridged slab, structural soil, or other techniques that clearly exceed these standards in the fostering of vital and long-lived Street Trees.

(D)

Street Tree planting areas shall be at grade or not greater than six inches in height above or below the sidewalk

(E)

At planting, Street Trees shall be at least three (3) inches in caliper. Species shall be selected from the Landscape Manual for private Streets. For public Streets, the County Department of Public Works and Transportation shall be consulted.

(F)

Any unpaved ground area shall be planted with grass, groundcover, flowering vegetation, or climbing vines, not to exceed twelve (12) inches in height. Street Trees shall be "limbed up" as they gain appropriate maturity so as to not interfere with pedestrian or truck travel. The minimum clear height over the sidewalk shall be seven (7) feet, and the minimum clear height over travel lanes of the Street shall be fourteen (14) feet to maintain visibility.

(c)

Streetscape Elements.

Street furniture is an element of the overall Streetscape design—not an afterthought. Street furnishings should be simple, functional, and durable.

(1)

Street Lights shall be installed on both sides of Streets along the Street Tree Alignment Line and unless otherwise designated on the Regulating Plan, at intervals of not more than eighty (80) feet, measured parallel to the Street.

(2)

Street Lights shall be between nine (9) and sixteen (16) feet above ground in height.

(3)

At the time of development, the developer is required to install sidewalks as illustrated in Section 27A-503.

(4)

At the time of development, the developer is responsible for the installation of Street Lights and sidewalks on the side of the Street-Space being developed.

(5)

Sidewalks not otherwise designated in the Regulating Plan shall be a minimum of six (6)feet wide and be constructed to meet all County and ADA specifications.

(d)

On-Street Parking.

(1)

On-Street parking spaces shall count towards parking requirements (see Part 7. Parking and Loading Standards).

(2)

The parking space/tree planting pattern may be interrupted by existing or new driveways designated in the Regulating Plan, Streets, Alleys, and transit stops or stations, but at no time may Street Tree spacing exceed fifty(50) feet on center except where Street NST-3 curb bump-outs or driveway entrances may necessitate an increase in Street Tree spacing.

(3)

Parking spaces shall be constructed in a manner that allows proper drainage (generally a "w" profile, having a gutter pan between the travel and parking lanes).

(4)

If on-Street bicycle parking is provided forward of the Dooryard area, the racks shall be located along the Street Tree Alignment Line.

(CB-1-2010)