§ 19.01. Intent and purpose.

The intent of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards for the design, installation, and maintenance of landscape improvements. Landscaping is viewed as a critical element contributing to the aesthetics, development quality, stability of property values, and the overall character of the city. The standards of this section are intended to help achieve a number of functional and environmental objectives such as:

A.

Promote the implementation of the master plan.

B.

Define, articulate, and integrate outdoor spaces, architectural elements, and various site elements.

C.

Reduce the physical impact between adjacent land uses by requiring complementary landscape treatments and providing a transitional area adjacent to natural areas.

D.

Screen headlights to reduce glare and incidental pollution.

E.

Control soil erosion by slowing the effects of erosive winds and water.

F.

Respond to the varied and unique conditions throughout the city.

G.

Provide reasonable standards to bring developed sites, which existed prior to the adoption of these standards, into compliance with the requirements contained herein.

H.

Recognize and preserve the aesthetic value of natural areas such as woodlands, wetlands and floodplains within and adjacent to a development site.