§ 9.302. PLANTING STANDARDS

A.

Planting Standards. All plantings in satisfaction of this Article shall comply with the standards in Table 9.302, Planting Standards, and with the requirements of Section 9.403, Continuing Care, Maintenance and Nonconforming Landscapes.

Table 9.302 Planting Standards
Type	Characteristics	Size — Upon Planting	Arrangement/Method
Shrubs and Hedges	Non-deciduous species for hedges, from among those on the City approved plant list.	3 feet minimum prior to planting.	4 feet on center maximum spacing for shrubs. Shrubs and hedges planted and maintained to form a continuous, unbroken, solid visual screen within one year of planting. Ornamental Grasses may be used if maintained in the same way.
Trees	From among tree species on a City of Galveston approved plant list.	6 feet minimum and 30 gallon minimum container   OR   1.5 inches minimum caliper	One tree for each 25 linear feet or portion thereof for large tree species and 20 linear feet for small tree species as listed in the City approved plant list, or portion thereof.
Palms	May be used in lieu of trees	6 feet of clear trunk height minimum	One palm for each 15 linear feet or portion thereof. The closer spacing is required due to the limited shade provided by Palms.
Lawn Grass	From among turf grass species on a City approved plant list.	n/a	Grass areas may be plugged, sprigged or seeded except that solid sod shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.
Ground Cover	May be used in lieu of turf grass.	n/a	Shall be planted in such manner as to present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage within six months after planting.
Irrigation	All landscaped areas must have an irrigation plan.	n/a	An automatic drip or surface system is recommended for trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. Plans will be designed so that no irrigation water runs from the site.

 

( Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18 )

A.

Rights-of-Way Landscaping: With approval of the Director of Public Works, landscaping that satisfies the rights-of-way screening requirement for parking areas may be installed in the rights-of-way. Up to 50 percent of the minimum landscaping area requirement shall be allowed within the right-of-way. However, for planting to occur in the right-of-way, the portion of rights-of-way outside the paved street shall be at least 10 feet wide and provide a sidewalk with a minimum width of 5 feet. The Director of Public Works must determine that the condition of the existing sidewalk is acceptable. If determined to be unacceptable, the sidewalk must be repaired prior to the installation of landscaping.

B.

Mature Tree Preservation. Healthy, mature trees that are preserved on-site shall count as more than one tree for the purposes of landscaping requirements, as set out in Table 9.303, Mature Tree Preservation Standards.

1.

Quality of Existing Trees. Existing mature trees that may qualify for protection and generate landscaping credit shall:

a.

Appear on the City approved plant list; or

b.

Be established for at least five years; and

c.

Not be:

i.

Over mature;

ii.

Diseased;

iii.

Poor in form; or

iv.

Unstable or leaning significantly.

Table 9.303 Mature Tree Preservation Standards
Diameter at Breast Height	Tree Height	Years Established	Credit
10—15 inches	32—39 feet	15	3 new trees
+15 inches	+39 feet	+15	5 new trees
3 inches, largest stem of multi-trunked small tree species	+20 feet	15	3 new trees

 

2.

Certification of Requirements. The requirements of Section 9.303.B and Table 9.303 shall be certified by an International Society of Arboriculture certified Arborist or degreed Forester.

C.

Transplanting Existing Mature Trees. Credit shall be given for mature trees that are transplanted from one part of the parcel proposed for development to another if:

1.

The trees are transplanted according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for tree planting, ANSI A300 Part 6.

2.

A surety bond is provided that will ensure replacement of the transplanted tree with the number of new trees for which credit was given according to Table 9.303. The surety bond shall be effective for a period of two years from the date the tree is installed in its new location.

3.

The tree preservation credit is applied toward the requirements for the area of the parcel proposed for development in which the existing tree is planted. If there are no requirements for that area, the credit shall apply first to other areas of the parcel, and then to parking lot landscaping requirements, as applicable.

( Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18 )

SEC. 9.304   TREE PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

A.

Generally. Existing trees that qualify to generate credit against landscaping requirements, as provided in this Article, shall be protected during on-site development and construction activities according to the requirements of this Section.

B.

Identification of Protected Root Zone. The protected root zone is the larger of:

1.

The area under the drip line of the tree; or

2.

A radius that extends from the center of the trunk 18 inches per each 1 inch of diameter at breast height (DBH) of the protected tree. See Figure 9.304, Protected Root Zone.

C.

Restrictions within Protected Root Zone.

1.

Each protected root zone shall be barricaded during construction to prevent damage to the tree and its roots by construction equipment or soil compaction. The barricades shall be posted "Off Limits/Fuera de los Límites." A contiguous fenced area may enclose multiple protected root zones.

2.

No cutting, filling, or storage of building materials or debris or disposal of wastes shall take place within a protected root zone.

3.

No impervious paving shall be placed within a protected root zone.

D.

Tree Care during Construction. Protected trees shall be cared for regularly during construction as follows:

1.

Regular watering if rainfall is inadequate;

2.

Pruning of branches that are dead, diseased, hazardous or detrimental to natural form; and

3.

Fertilizing if nutrient stress is apparent.

( Ord. No. 18-037, § 2, 6-21-18 )