Chino Hills Municipal Code Appendix B Appendices (CA)

VILLAGE STRUCTURE AND IDENTITY

Introduction

The character of Chino Hills at large is a function of its topographic features, interconnecting natural open spaces and the landscaping treatment in medians of primary and major highways. These elements also become the determinants for area boundaries (shown in Figure Appendix B-1). Often, prominent ridge lines perform this function, such as between the Carbon Canyon and Soquel Canyon areas. In some cases, major highways, such as Peyton Drive, form boundaries, as between Los Ranchos, The Oaks, and Woodview. And, occasionally, property ownership lines influence the exact boundary alignment as in the case of Carbon Canyon and Los Ranchos areas.

Beyond the identity provided by topography, the character of an area is established through entry statements, existing tree stands, drainage ways and landscaping within the commercial areas, and within parkways along primary and major highways and streets and pathways leading to the commercial centers.

This Appendix identifies the character of the landscaping and related design treatments which should be used in the eight areas shown in Figure Appendix B-1. The intent of these guidelines is to provide direction in establishing or reinforcing the identity of various areas of the City. Landowners and developers are encouraged to design alternative landscape treatments which equally or better achieve the desired intent.

Mandatory Standards for All Areas

The following standards apply citywide, including in the eight areas mapped in Figure Appendix B-1.

Disturbed areas between natural open space and developed lands shall be established with native materials in a natural setting consistent with fire safety and erosion standards.
Enhancement of natural drainage courses/riparian habitat so that they are incorporated into active open space areas of the village and improved with facilities such as additional landscaping and pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
Replacement of existing native type vegetation where original vegetation was eliminated by major public facilities such as roads.
Parking areas should be screened from view through the use of berms, fencing and landscaping.
Preservation of protected trees as defined in Section 16.90.020.G.

Rolling Ridge Estates

This area is located in the extreme northern portion of the City, along the west side of the Chino Valley Freeway (Highway 71), just south of the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60). It is characterized by rolling Hills and valleys that become very steep and rugged in the western half, where there are also some very significant strands of native oak trees.

Because of its proximity to two major highways, this area has a high degree of visibility. This suggests some very intensive commercial and residential land sues along the Highway 71 corridor and also special care in preserving some natural features, such as knolls and ridge lines, to retain some degree of rural character and continuity with other villages.

This area has two land use focal points. One is the regional shopping center planned on about 90 acres along Highway 71. It is surrounded by supporting commercial and high density (15 to 24 dwelling units per acre) residential uses. A commercial center is also provided more in the center of the area. It is intended to be the focus of activities for residents of the area and will contain convenience commercial and public uses.

Landscape treatment for this area should include formal tree plantings and color in development areas within the urban area. Transportation corridors should feature a formal arrangement of median tree plantings. Parkways and areas between developments should be formal in nature, including screening to separate different uses and various housing projects.

The following guidelines have been prepared to provide direction in establishing a design identity for this area:

Tree stands in parkways and medians should be under planted with turf or Carissa grandiflora or Gazania hybrids.
Screening to separate land uses should consist of large shrubs such as: Escallonia fradesi, Abelia grandiflora, Grevillea lanigera, Pittosporum tobira, and Xylosma congestum.
Differing intensities of development should be provided with identity through the use of color treatment peculiar to each area of intensity. Suggested tree species include: Albizia julibrissin (Silk Tree), Bauhinia variegate (Purple Orchid Tree), Chorisia speciosa (Floss Silk Tree), Jacaranda acutifolia, Lagerstromeia indica (Crape Myrtle), Pyrus kawakamii (Evergreen Pear), and Tipuana tipu.
Fencing is suggested to consist of brick pilasters five (5) feet in height, ten (10) feet on center with wrought iron or wood panels.
The regional shopping center should be landscaped in a manner compatible with, and supportive of, the overall landscaping guidelines for adjacent areas of Rolling Ridge. Landscaping shall serve in lieu of fencing or barrier walls and should not conflict with appropriate view corridors to the regional center.

Tres Hermanos

This area is located in the northwestern portion of the City. It encompasses the upper Tonner Canyon area, a long, well-defined canyon with a broad grassland valley bottom. The valley contains a narrow drainage course, featuring several small, manmade reservoirs.

The landscape treatment will capitalize on the view potential by creating view windows along major roads.

Because the valley is relatively shallow, fencing should feature some bermed walls in earthen tones, banked with low grass forms. Lighting will be fairly strong along the major highways.

The following guidelines have been prepared to aid in establishing a design identity for this area:

The village core and adjacent high density development should be linked by safe, convenient and attractive pedestrian paths. Landscaping should feature materials used in the commercial center, and provide winter sun and summer shade. They should also be tastefully lighted to encourage evening use. Suggested tree types are Platanus racemosa and Populus fremontii.
Grand Avenue and Tonner Canyon Road should have center medians landscaped to provide area identity and community wide continuity. Suggested tree types are Platanus racemosa for Grand Avenue and Tristania conferta for Tonner Canyon Road.
Fencing is suggested to consist of a mixture of undulating berms and walls of slump stone or other appropriate materials. Berms should be planted in low grasses or ground covers. Baccharis pilularis or Gazania hybrids are suggested.
Buffers adjacent to developments are suggested to consist of massing of broad tree types, include Schinus molle and Acacia baileyana. Underplanting of Acacia longifolia, Dodonea viscosa and Rhus species are suggested for screening.

Los Ranchos

This area is located in the mid-northern portion of the City. It is composed of rolling Hills and valleys generally devoid of any visually significant vegetation. English Creek and a tributary stream of Little Chino Creek add a riparian feature to two of the largest valleys.

Much of the character of the area is derived from the large horse ranches located along English Road in the east central part of the area. The Country-western orientation inspired by these ranches will become the theme of the entire area. It appears in the architecture of "Ralphs" commercial center in the Gordon Ranch planned development, and is intended to be used in theme structures, fencing, equestrian paths and landscaping.

The following guidelines are provided to assist in establishing a design identity for this area:

Parkway landscaping should consist of a non-uniform arrangement of planting masses, including trees, shrubs and ground covers. Wherever possible, the streetscape edges should be left in their natural state. Recommended parkway trees are Cinnamon camphora, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, Gingko biloba, Gleditsia tricanthos inermis, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus eldarica and Platanus acerifolia. Suggested shrubs are Baccharis pilularis, Hypericum calycinum, Lonicera japonica and Rosmarinus officinalis.
Natural drainage courses should be preserved and integrated into the local open space system. Landscaping should include seasonally water-oriented plants to stabilize and enhance the natural riparian streambeds. Suggested trees are Platanus racemosa and Populus fremontii.
Fencing should be of a design, material and color that complements the area character. The primary materials should be stone and wood. An example is an open split rail fence, five (5) feet in height, 4 × 4 inch posts, eight (8) feet on center, strapped top and bottom by 2 × 8 inch top and bottom rails with diagonal straps of I × 6 inch boards. The use of stone pilasters is also suggested.

Woodview

This area is located in the mideastern portion of Chino Hills, generally along the west side of State Highway 71. Because of its accessibility and relatively level topography, most of the area has already developed. Included in this area are the communities of Los Serranos and Glenmeade, and the open spaces within Boys Republic, the Los Serranos Golf Course, and the Lake Los Serranos Club mobilehome community.

Woodview has a very definite suburban character stemming from the single-family detached housing which predominates. Some visual relief is provided by the large open space uses noted above and, of equal importance, several much smaller landscape features. They include the median strip in Glenmeade Boulevard, the parkways along the south side of Carbon Canyon Road and west side of Pipeline Avenue, several natural drainage courses and the strong Eucalyptus windrows mostly in the southern end of the area. These features should be preserved, enhanced and reinforced.

The primary landscape treatment in Woodview is the continued use of the Eucalyptus windrow. The trees should be planted along the drainage ways, major streets, entries and village core areas to strengthen the area identity.

The following guidelines have been prepared to provide assistance in landscaping design in this area:

Eucalyptus windrows should be continued or introduced along drainage ways, medians and parkways. Eucalyptus camaldulinsis and Eucalyptus cladocalyx are suggested at staggered intervals of twenty feet (20′) on center, ten feet (10′) on center for street medians. Eucalyptus sideroxylon is also recommended for color accent.
Fencing should be provided in short runs not to exceed forty feet (40′) and five feet six inches (5′6″) to six feet (6′) in height. Suggested materials are 6 × 6 inch posts, 8 feet (8′) on center with 4 × 6 inch and 1 × 10 inch vertical shiplap. Fencing should face at 45 degree angles at intersections and have open slats at drainage corridors.
Crosswalks at area entries and in the commercial areas should be textured with contrasting materials.

Carbon Canyon

The Carbon Canyon area is located in the mid-southwestern portion of the City. It is distinguished by an abundance of natural features, including winding, tree-covered streams, prominent ridge lines, steep hillside slopes and large stands of native oaks. The setting is highly valued by local residents and travelers on Carbon Canyon Road. Carbon Canyon Road, a State Highway, is the only paved road through the Hills directly into Orange County and has enabled much of the adjacent lands up and down the canyon to develop. The first areas to develop were Sleepy Hollow and the "Canon Lane" subdivision, tracts of small lots recorded in the 1920s. Located at the west end of the area next to Orange County, they have over the years evolved into small rural neighborhoods. Both are characterized by tiny lots, narrow streets and attractive homes. Most notably, however, they complement the natural setting and contribute substantially to the rural charm of the area.

The landscape treatment of the area and the architectural treatment of structures in the core should feature natural materials such as river rock and unpainted roughhewn boards to enhance the rustic qualities of the area. The following guidelines have been prepared to provide direction in landscaping in the Carbon Canyon area:

Landscaping should utilize native plant materials as much as possible. Recommended species include Platanus racemosa (Western Sycamore), Quercus species (Coast live oak and Scrub oak), Schinus molle (California [Pepper tree), Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon), and Rhus species.
Introduced plant materials considered consistent with the rural character of the area include Acacia baileyana, Atriplex semi-baccata (Saltbush), Ceanothus griseus horizontalis (Wild lilac), Gazania hybrids, and Prunas lyonii (Catalina cherry).
Landscaping should be limited to areas that have been disturbed, or for screening. Screening of development from Carbon Canyon Road is especially important.
Fencing should have a rural appearance. Natural peeler poles with grapestake inserts is suggested where closed fencing is required. Open fencing of split-lot rail and/or barbed wire is suggested.

The Oaks

The Oaks, smallest of the areas, is located in the center of the City. Its character is defined primarily by natural features: an exceptionally prominent ridgeline forming the west boundary, a small grassland valley abutting the easterly edge, and many beautiful stands of oak trees in the numerous steep canyons. Lands immediately north, east and west are generally of a lower elevation. As a result, much of the area enjoys panoramic view of the surrounding area.

The following guidelines have been prepared to aid in landscape design. They are intended to contribute to and enhance the character of the Oaks area:

Plantings along transportation corridors in the area should consist of tight clustering of trees that serve as screening and link the commercial center with adjacent high density residential uses. Suggested species include Acacia baileyana, Koelreuteria paniculata, Lagerstroemia indica and Ficus ritusa.
Skyline treatment should consist of clusters of tree plantings to soften the impact of development and to blend with and emulate the natural land form rather than intrude or conflict with it.
Fencing should be limited and tempered by landscaping as much as possible. Where fencing is used, it should be wooden and confined to short runs to serve as a buffer rather than to accentuate. It is suggested that fencing consist of 6 × 6 inch posts, 8 feet on center, 5 feet 6 inches in height with a variety of panels.

Soquel Canyon

This area is located in the southern central portion of the City. The land in this area is extremely rugged and relatively inaccessible at the present time. There are numerous steep canyons, precipitous ridge lines and undisturbed oak and riparian woodland communities. A substantial portion of the area is considered to be of high ecological sensitivity because of its value to wildlife.

The landscape treatment for this area emphasizes the use of native materials in patterns or groupings that convey a natural appearance. The only two areas where supplemental planting will likely be required are along ridge lines and Soquel Canyon Parkway. Skyline plantings along ridge lines will be important to screen roadways and homes from surrounding viewpoints. Intense landscaping and some closed fencing along Soquel Canyon Parkway will be essential to screen adjacent development and direct the eye to open areas and tree breaks.

The following guidelines have been prepared to provide assistance in landscape design in the Soquel Canyon area:

Skyline plantings are suggested to consist of random groupings of Eucalyptus species, Melaleuca leucadendra and Tristania conferta, with plantings of shrubs such as Acacia longifolia, and Melaleuca nesophila.
Screening of development along Soquel Canyon Parkway should consist of mass plantings of Acacia baileyana, Melalenca luecadendra and Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree).
Some wood fencing may be used along Soquel Canyon Parkway to screen development. Suggested materials are rough cedar planking or grapestake. Shrubs noted above shall be planted in front of the fence.

Rincon

This area is located in the southeastern portion of the City, along State Highway 71. The terrain is diverse, varying from the relatively flat highway corridor to the very rugged hills in the central and western parts of the area. The most significant areas of ecological sensitivity are within the peninsula that extends far to the south. It contains prime predatorial bird habitats.

The landscape treatment in Rincon Area protects and accentuates views along drainage ways and transportation corridors. Plantings are random rather than formal, intensifying with the progression from rural areas in the west to urban areas in the east. Landscaping tends to focus views and allow for view penetration at drainage ways. Heavy screening along Soquel Canyon Parkway will mitigate the visual impacts of development in proximity to the roadway, dropping out at those locations where view potential occurs.

The following guidelines are provided to aid in establishing a design identity for the Rincon area:

Fencing should be minimal. Lighting should be sparse and utilitarian along roadways in the rural areas. Lighting in the corridor should be more formal and urban in nature.
Parkway tree plantings should be linear groupings of vertical tree types to accentuate the view windows at such places as drainage ways. Eucalyptus nicholii, Melaluca leucadendra and Tristania conferta are suggested.
Drainage ways should be maintained in their natural state because of the high visibility from Soquel Canyon and Rincon roads.
Screening along Soquel Canyon and Rincon Roads should consist of about fifty percent (50%) plantings and fifty percent (50%) fencing. Feijoa sellowiana, Tecomaria capensis and Xylosma congestum are recommended plant materials. The following fence specifications are suggested: Brick pilasters five feet (5′) in height, 16 × 16 inch, ten to twelve feet (10′-12′) on center with wrought iron inserts.

[Figure: Appendix B - Figure 1: Areas of Chino Hills (Former "Village" Areas)]

Appendix B - Figure 1: Areas of Chino Hills (Former "Village" Areas)

(Ord. No. 250, § 1, 1-24-2012)