Chapter 18.42 — LANDSCAPE DESIGN GUIDELINES

Sections:

18.42.010 - Purpose of Chapter 18.42.020 - Applicability 18.42.030 - General Guidelines 18.42.040 - Landscaping Along Streets 18.42.050 - Project Entry Landscaping 18.42.060 - Pedestrian Area Landscaping 18.42.070 - Installation of Landscaping

18.42.080 - Recommended Plant Materials

This Chapter provides landscape design guidelines that are intended as a guide to assist property owners and project designers in understanding the Town's goals for attaining high quality development that is sensitive to the Town's unique character and climate.

These guidelines will be used during the land use permit process as additional project review criteria.

• A. The provisions of this Chapter apply to all development projects providing required landscaping, unless otherwise specified. Any addition, relocation or construction requiring land use permit approval in compliance with Article IV (Land Use and Development Permit Procedures) shall adhere to these guidelines where applicable.

• B. These landscape design guidelines may be interpreted with some flexibility in their application to specific projects as not all design criteria may be workable/appropriate for each project. In some circumstances, the review authority may relax the application of one guideline in order to accomplish another, more important guideline. The overall objectives are to ensure that the intent and spirit of the design guidelines are followed and to attain the best possible design within reason.

• A. Proposed landscaping should relate to the scale of the structures on the site and should be compatible with the location, character and scale of adjacent landscaping that complies with the provisions of this Chapter.

• B. Consideration should be given to microclimates and site-specific conditions. Landscape architects, landscape contractors, or other landscape professional familiar with the Truckee’s various microclimates should be consulted to help identify appropriate landscaping practices.

Landscaping should not be used to screen or hide an otherwise unattractive structure or other elements of the project (e.g. trash enclosures) that might be more appropriately located on parts of the site where screening may not be necessary.

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• D. Landscape design should accent the overall design theme through the use of structures, arbors and trellises that are appropriate to the particular architectural theme of the project.

• E. Landscape designs should generally use a three tier concept:

  1. Hardy, low growing ground covers, herbaceous perennials;

  2. Medium height shrubs, tall herbaceous perennials; and

  3. Trees and large shrubs.

• F. The following are common landscape design concepts that can be used throughout the project site to increase the visual and functional quality of the development:

  1. Specimen trees (minimum 24-inch box) used in informal groupings or rows at major focal points (e.g. project entry, pedestrian plaza, etc.);

  2. Use of flowering vines on walls, trellises, and arbors;

  3. Use of pots, vases, wall or raised planters for accents in locations which otherwise would be difficult to provide in-ground landscaping;

  4. Use of planting to soften hardscape and provide shadows/patterns against walls;

  5. Use of distinctive plants and colors as focal points;

  6. Use of berms, plantings and low walls to screen parking areas while allowing views to larger structures beyond; and

  7. Dense landscaping to screen unattractive views and features (e.g., storage areas, trash enclosures, freeway structures, transformers and generators) and other project features that do not contribute to the enhancement of the surroundings.

• G. All landscape areas should be separated from asphalt pavement in accordance with the Public Improvements and Engineering Standards to prevent water leakage to the pavement area.

• H. Planters for trees should be located throughout parking areas. The planters should have minimum interior dimensions of five feet by 16 feet, and be of sufficient size to accommodate tree growth.

• I. Existing on-site vegetation should be retained whenever possible and should be used as a reference to determine microclimate. New landscaping should respect and incorporate existing landscape elements.

• J. Landscape areas should be provided in plazas, malls and areas of frequent pedestrian use. Plazas and malls should be designed and planted to reflect an informal place suited to the pedestrian scale and shall be protected from snow removal equipment and snow storage.

• K. Landscape design should reflect a variety of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, perennials/herbaceous plants and groundcovers. Plant materials should be selected for their

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structure, texture, color, ultimate growth characteristics, and sense of unity with their surroundings.

• L. Lawn areas should be kept to a minimum in projects surrounded by native vegetation. The utilization of native drought tolerant grasses and vegetation should be used to help the project blend with the surrounding vegetation.

• M. Landscaping strips along walls separating non-residential land uses from residential land uses should be installed on the residential side of the wall, adjoining the property line.

• A. Whenever landscaping of the public right-of-way (parkway) is required along street frontages, the project’s on-site landscaping should be designed in coordination with the parkway landscaping to provide an integrated design concept.

• B. Improvements in the public rights-of-way should include sidewalks and/or bicycle-pedestrian ways, trees, shrubs and groundcover in compliance with Town standards. Landscaping should not exceed a height of 30 inches near project entries so as not to obstruct traffic safety sight areas for vehicles and pedestrians.

• A. Entries to multi-tenant projects should be designed as special statements reflective of the character and scale of the project in order to establish identity for tenants, visitors and patrons. Flowering accent plantings and specimen trees should be used to reinforce the entry statement.

• B. Textured paving treatments (i.e., interlocking pavers, stamped concrete, etc.) should be used at project entries. Textures should be selected which:

  1. Give a feeling of transition between the sidewalk and the entry driveway;

  - Encourage infiltration; 
  

  3. Do not become slippery when wet; and

  4. Are not so rough or irregular as to make walking difficult, discourage the use of baby strollers or wheelchairs, conflict with adjacent uses, or create noise.

• C. Project identification signs are encouraged at entry drives. These are subject to Sign Plan approval in compliance with Chapter 18.54 (Signs).

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FIGURE 3-18 PROJECT ENTRY TREATMENT

• A. Planting next to walkways, within plazas, and adjacent to other pedestrian spaces should include smaller species of shrubs and trees in keeping with the intent to maintain an intimate human scale in these areas.

• B. Pedestrian spaces should be enhanced by planting accents including vines espaliered against wall surfaces, flower beds, window boxes and hanging pots with flowers and vines.

• A. All landscape materials shall be installed in compliance with the Town’s landscaping installation specifications as maintained by the Department.

• B. New trees should be planted so that they are separated from turf areas by three to five feet. This will prevent over-watering of the tree, surface rooting, crown-rot and “girdling” of the tree trunk by maintenance equipment.

• C. If trees are to be planted in a turf area, the following criteria should be followed:

  1. Only deep-rooted water tolerant native or adapted tree species should be used;

  2. Turf areas around trees should be graded so that water drains away from the tree or subsurface drip irrigation should be used; and

  3. Turf irrigation should be directed away from the tree. The tree should be irrigated by a combined bubbler/deep water pipe fixture.

• D. The spacing of trees and shrubs should be appropriate to the species used. The plant materials should be spaced so that they do not interfere with the adequate lighting of the premises or restrict access to emergency apparatus. Proper spacing should also ensure unobstructed access for vehicles and pedestrians and provide clear vision of intersections.

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• E. Plant material should conform to the following spacing criteria:

  1. A minimum of 25 feet from the property corner at a street intersection to the center of the first tree or large shrub;

  2. A minimum of 15 feet between the center of trees and large shrubs to light standards and fire hydrants; and

  3. A minimum of 10 feet between the center of trees and large shrubs and the edge of a driveway.

• F. Tree grates should be installed around trunks where trees are planted within sidewalks or other paved pedestrian areas.

• G. Deciduous trees should predominate along south and west building exposures.

• H. Environmentally sensitive soil conditioning and fertilizer are encouraged for landscape installation and maintenance. The following criteria for fertilizers are recommended:

  1. Fertilizers identified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) are recommended;

  2. Fertilizer, mulches, and soil amendments with minimal to no residues of pesticides and herbicides are recommended;

  3. Petroleum-based fertilizer products should be avoided;

  4. Slow-release fertilizers are recommended. Fertilizers should be reapplied at least once a year, or as recommended by a landscape professional; and

  5. Incorporation of natural microbes that do not pollute the environment to help root growth and water and nutrient absorption to shorten establishment periods are encouraged.

• I. Mulching should be used to finish landscaping, control weed growth, condition the soil, and moisture retention. Mulch installation should meet the following criteria:

  1. Minimum 2” of mulch; and

  2. Ground fir bark or ground/shredded cedar are recommended materials. Pine needles create a potential defensible space hazard and are not recommended.

Plant materials should be consistent with the list and guidelines of recommended plant materials as approved by the Community Development Director. All landscape materials and design should be sensitive to the site-specific microclimate and existing native vegetation.

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– CHAPTER 18.44 NOISE

Sections:

18.44.010 - Purpose of Chapter 18.44.020 - Noise Complaints 18.44.030 - Noise Measurement Criteria 18.44.040 - Exterior Noise Standards 18.44.050 - Residential Interior Noise Standards 18.44.060 - Prohibited Acts 18.44.070 - Exceptions

This Chapter establishes standards for the elimination and regulation of noise disturbances in order to protect the health, safety, welfare and living/working environments of those living and working in the Town.

Persons who believe that noise sources exceed any of the standards provided in this Section may file a complaint with the appropriate Town department as follows:

• A. Community Development Department. Noise complaints regarding the following types of noise sources shall be directed to the Department:

  1. Commercial (non-governmental) repair or testing of aircraft, boats or motor vehicles;

  2. Loading and unloading activities; or

  3. Stationary, non-emergency, non- residential sources.

• B. Other departments. Noise complaints regarding the following types of noise sources shall be directed to the Police Department or Animal Control Department. This Development Code does not contain procedures for regulating or enforcing standards related to these noise sources:

  1. Animals (Animal Control);

  2. Emergency signaling alarms or devices;

  3. Motor vehicles (including alarms, radios, tape or disc players, etc.);

  4. Places with dance permits; or

  5. Radio, tape or disc players, television, or any similar devices whether on public or private property.

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• A. Exterior noise. Exterior noise levels may be measured at any point on the affected church, commercial property, hospital, public library, residential property or school.

• B. Noise measurement equipment. Any noise measurement made in compliance with this Section shall be made with a sound level meter using the ‘A’ weighted scale at slow meter response. Fast meter response shall be used only for an impulsive noise. Calibration of the measurement equipment, utilizing an acoustic calibrator, shall be performed immediately before the recording of any noise data.

It shall be unlawful for any person, at any location within the Town, to create any noise or to allow the creation of any noise on property leased, occupied, owned or otherwise controlled by the person which does not comply with the provisions of this Section, unless the provisions of either Sections 18.44.050 (Residential Interior Noise Standards) or 18.44.070 (Exceptions), below, have been met.

• A. Exterior levels. Exterior noise levels, when measured at any receiving church, commercial, hospital, public library, residential or school property, do not conform to the provisions of this Section when they exceed the noise level standards established by Table 3-6.

• B. Ambient noise level adjustment. In the event the measured ambient noise level exceeds the applicable noise level standard in any category above, the applicable standards shall be adjusted to equal the ambient noise level. For example, if the applicable noise level standard is 60 dB(A) and the ambient noise level is 63 dB(A), the applicable noise level standard would be adjusted to 63 dB(A). In these cases, a use would not exceed the applicable noise level standard if it did not increase the ambient noise level by more than 3.0 dB(A) when the ambient noise level is between 60 and 65 dB(A) or by more than 1.5 dB(A) when the ambient noise level is greater than 65 dB(A).

• C. Simple tone noises. Each of the noise level standards specified above shall be reduced by five dB(A) for simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or for recurring impulsive noises.

• D. Intruding noise source. If the intruding noise source is continuous and cannot reasonably be discontinued or stopped for a time period to allow measurement of the ambient noise level, the noise level measured while the source is in operation shall be compared directly to the applicable noise level standards in Table 3-6.

• E. Equipment noise. The noise level standard applicable to the emission of sound from regulators, transformers and associated equipment in electrical substations shall be 60 dB(A).

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TABLE 3-6 NOISE STANDARD BY RECEIVING LAND USE

Notes:

(1) For example, this means the measured noise level may not exceed 55 dB(A) for more than 30 minutes out of any one hour time period.

• F. Commercial/Industrial exterior noise standard. Whenever a new office, commercial, hotel/motel or light industrial use is proposed on a parcel where the existing ambient noise levels may exceed 70 dB(A) CNEL, the land use permit application shall include an acoustical analysis of the effect of noise sources on the use. The acoustical analysis shall identify appropriate mitigation measures that reduce noise levels to acceptable levels. These mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the use. Office, commercial, hotel/motel and light industrial uses that cannot mitigate noise levels to “Normally Acceptable” levels as defined in General Plan Figure N-3 (Noise Compatibility Guidelines) shall not be approved.

• G. Public/Institutional exterior noise standard. Whenever a hospital, library, school, congregate care, or similar public or institutional use is proposed on a parcel where the existing ambient noise levels may exceed 65 dB(A) CNEL, the land use permit application shall include an acoustical analysis of the effect of noise sources on the use. The acoustical analysis shall identify appropriate mitigation measures that reduce noise levels to acceptable levels. These mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the design construction and operation of the use. Public and institutional uses that cannot mitigate noise levels to “Normally Acceptable” levels as defined in General Plan Figure N-3 (Noise Compatibility Guidelines) shall not be approved.

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• H. Sensitive land uses. Whenever a use is proposed on a parcel where the expected noise levels generated by the use, when measured at any receiving church, hospital, public library, residential or school property may exceed the noise level standards established by Table 3-6, the land use permit application shall include an acoustical analysis of the effect of the noise generated by the use on the sensitive land use property. An acoustical analysis shall also be required when a commercial or industrial loading dock or area is located within 300 feet of a sensitive use. The acoustical analysis shall identify appropriate mitigation measures that reduce exterior noise levels to acceptable levels established by Table 3-6. These mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the use.

• I. Mitigation. Reasonable noise mitigation measures including building setbacks, alternative site design techniques and alternative building orientation layouts shall be employed in lieu of sound walls, perimeter and/or barrier fencing, or earthen berms to mitigate noise impacts. Sound walls may only be used if the review authority finds that there are no other reasonable mitigation measures available and that the height, location, aesthetics and screening of the sound wall comply with all other applicable sections of this Development Code.

Single-family and multifamily residential development shall be designed and constructed to comply with the interior noise standards of this Section.

• A. Interior noise standard. Whenever a new single-family or multifamily dwelling unit is proposed on a parcel where the existing exterior ambient noise level may exceed 60 dB(A) CNEL, the land use permit application shall include an acoustical analysis showing the dwelling unit has been designed to limit intruding noise to an interior CNEL of 45 dB, in compliance with California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 2.

• B. Residential development affected by aircraft noise. Land use permit applications for residential structures proposed within the Airport 55 dB CNEL contour shall comply with the provisions of Section 18.64.060 (Airport Noise Zones).

• C. Noise mitigation measures. Whenever interior noise levels may exceed 45 dB CNEL, residential developments shall incorporate the following noise mitigation measures, where appropriate:

  1. Increase the distance between the noise source and the receiver;

  2. Locate bedrooms on the side of the structure away from major public rights-of-way; and/or

  3. Locate land uses not sensitive to noise (e.g., garages, maintenance facilities, parking lots, utility areas, etc.) between the noise source and the receiver.

• D. Noise barrier standards. The minimum acceptable surface weight for a noise barrier is four pounds per square foot (equivalent to three-fourths inch plywood). Noise barriers shall interrupt the line-of-sight between the noise source and the receiver. The barrier shall be of a continuous material which is resistant to sound and may including the following:

  1. Earth berm; or

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2. Split-faced masonry block; or

3. Precast or board-form concrete.

The following acts, and the causing or allowing of these acts, are a violation of this Section:

• A. Places of public entertainment. Operating or allowing to be operated any loudspeaker, musical instrument or other source of sound in any place of public entertainment that exceed 95 dB(A) at any point normally occupied by a customer, without a conspicuous and legible sign stating, “WARNING! Sound levels within may cause hearing impairment.” Nothing in this Section shall be construed to allow any violation of Section 18.44.040 (Exterior Noise Standards) or any noise disturbance in any place of public entertainment;

• B. Emergency signaling devices. The intentional sounding or allowing the sounding outdoors of any burglar, civil defense or fire alarm, siren, whistle or similar stationary emergency signaling device, except for emergency purposes or for testing, which shall only be conducted in the following manner:

  1. The testing of a stationary emergency signaling device shall not occur before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Any testing shall use only the minimum cycle test time. The test time shall not exceed 60 seconds; and

  2. The testing of the complete emergency signaling system, including the functioning of the signaling device, and the personnel response to the signaling device, shall not occur more than once in each calendar month. The testing shall not occur before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. The times specified in Subsection 1, above, shall not apply to the complete system testing.

• C. Sounding of alarms. Sounding or allowing the sounding of any exterior burglar or fire alarm or any motor vehicle burglar alarm unless the alarm is terminated within 15 minutes of activation;

• D. Stationary non-emergency signaling devices.

  1. Sounding or allowing the sounding of any electronically amplified signal from any stationary bell, chime, siren, whistle or similar device, intended primarily for nonemergency purposes, from any place, for more than 10 seconds in any one-hour period;

  2. Religious institutions shall not be exempt from the provisions of this Section. However, reasonable accommodation shall be provided for public services. “Reasonable” is defined, for the purposes of this Section, as the minimum necessary to allow freedom of expression; and

  3. Sound sources covered by this Section and not exempted under Subsection B, above, may be exempted by a Variance, approved in compliance with Chapter 18.44.

• E. Loading and unloading. Closing, loading, opening, unloading or other handling of boxes, building materials, containers, crates, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of

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10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner that causes a noise disturbance beyond a residential property line. This action shall not apply to activities where the items handled are still in interstate commerce; and

• F. Residential air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 18.44.040 (Exterior Noise Standards) where the intruding noise source is a residential air conditioning or a refrigeration system, heating system or associated equipment installed before the effective date of this Section, the exterior noise level shall not exceed 55 dB(A). For equipment installed after the effective date of this Section, the exterior noise level shall not exceed 50 dB(A).

• A. Construction. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to noise sources associated with non-single-family residential construction, provided the activities do not take place before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday, or before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The review authority may impose further limitations on the hours and day of construction or other measures to mitigate significant noise impacts on sensitive uses.

• B. Single-family dwelling construction. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to noise sources associated with single-family residential construction on a single-family lot.

• C. Emergency exception. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:

  1. The emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an emergency; or

  2. The emission of sound in the performance of authorized emergency work.

• D. Maintenance of equipment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections A through C, above, no exceptions to the provisions of this Section shall apply where the equipment used for those activities is not maintained in good condition which would result in unnecessarily creating a noise disturbance or exceeding the standards in Section 18.44.040 (Exterior noise standards), above.

• E. Municipal Code provisions. The provisions of this Section shall not apply where noise standards are specified elsewhere in the Municipal Code.

• F. Public health, safety, and welfare activities. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to construction or maintenance and repair operations conducted by public agencies and/or utility companies or their contractors which are deemed necessary to serve the best interests of the public and to protect the public health, safety and welfare, including debris and limb removal, removal of downed wires, repairing of gas lines, oil lines, roads, sewers, sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, water hydrants and mains, restoring electrical service, street sweeping, unplugging sewers, vacuuming catch basins, etc.

• G. Public transportation facilities. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any airports, railroad facilities including but not limited to trains, rolling stock and railroad equipment, publicly owned roads and rights-of-way, or other similar facilities.

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H. Solid waste collection.

1. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to noise sources associated with the authorized collection of solid waste (e.g., refuse and garbage), provided the collection activities do not take place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

2. Any noise complaints associated with the collection of solid waste shall be resolved to the satisfaction of the Town Manager. The Town Manager may require modifications to pick-up schedules, equipment used, or any other reasonable means deemed appropriate by the Town Manager to resolve the noise complaints, including changing the 6:00 a.m. time to a later time (e.g., 7:00 a.m.) for any portion of the Town.

• I. State or Federal preempted activities. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any activity regulated by State or Federal law including, but not limited to, trains, rolling stock and railroad equipment.

• J. Town parks. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to public agency sanctioned recreational activities/programs conducted in public parks.

• K. Warning devices. Warning devices necessary for the protection of public safety (e.g., ambulance, fire and police siren) shall be exempted from the provisions of this Section.

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