20.12.090 Planting plan.
The planting plan shall be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, licensed civil engineer or licensed architect and contain, but is not limited to, the following information:
A. A list/legend of all vegetation by botanical and common name that exists or is proposed to be planted in the landscape area(s). For new planting include the quantities, container size at planting, the location of each plant and the associated hydrozone. Identify existing vegetation to remain and existing vegetation to be removed. Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation and selection of local native species is encouraged where appropriate.
B. The planting design shall group plants in hydrozones based on the moisture requirements of those plants. A hydrozone may mix plants of moderate and low water usage or plants with high water usage with plants of moderate water usage. No hydrozone shall mix plants with high water usage with plants with low water use. Plant factors are available from WUCOLS.
C. Plant selection shall take into account suitability of the soil and climatic attributes as well as the availability of supplemental water available through irrigation.
D. The planting plan set shall include planting details, specifications, maintenance specifications and responsibilities.
E. Plant selections for all properties adjacent to a wildland-urban interface or open space area shall comply with current Chula Vista Fire Department guidelines and regulations.
F. The use of invasive plant species, such as those listed by the California Invasive Plant Council, is strongly discouraged.
G. The plan shall demonstrate compliance with best management practices required by Chapter 14.20 CVMC.
H. High water use plants, characterized by a plant factor of 0.7 to 1.0, are prohibited in street medians.
I. Soil Preparation, Mulch and Amendments.
1. Prior to the planting of any materials, compacted soils shall be transformed to a friable condition. On engineered slopes, only amended planting holes need meet this requirement.
2. Soil amendments shall be incorporated according to recommendations of the soil report and what is appropriate for the plants selected.
3. For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six inches into the soil. Soils with greater than six percent organic matter in the top six inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and tilling.
J. Organic mulch materials made from recycled or post-consumer products shall take precedence over inorganic materials or virgin forest products unless the recycled post-consumer organic products are not locally available. Organic mulches are not required where prohibited by local fuel modification plan guidelines or other applicable local ordinances.
K. A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas except in turf areas, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch is contraindicated. To provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife, up to five percent of the landscape area may be left without mulch. (Ord. 3357 § 1, 2015; Ord. 3146 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009).