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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1985/05/28 Item 8 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item 8 Meeting Date 5/28/85 ITEM TITLE: Resolution , 3 v Modifying City Council Policy Resolution #7214 for Median Landscaping SUBMITTED BY: Director of Planning GK- REVIEWED BY: City Manager )1, 4.7 (4/5ths Vote: Yes No x A policy was discussed, in concept, for the treatment of landscape median strips at the February 28, 1985 City Council meeting. Council directed that a written policy be returned with flexibility included should a developer wish to exceed the minimum standards in a particular development. RECOMMENDATION: Modify the policy, as shown in the attached resolution, to clarify the City's objectives as to hardscape and planting areas. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: To modify a policy of the City Council regarding improvement of landscapable median strips in the City of Chula Vista. The City has embarked upon a program of upgrading landscaped median strips to conform to the low-maintenance and quality aesthetics that energy conservation and budget restrains dictate. The City Council has approved recommendations provided by the Public Works Director and Planning Director to assist in upgrading the initial landscape installation in street medians. DISCUSSION: The increase in hardscape to a minimum of 65% assures the addition of a safe working area along the curbline of the median strip and sets a permanent ground plane that is decorative and pleasing to the eye. The hardscape creates irrigation reservoirs to reduce runoff into the street and on-going drainage concerns. The decrease in plantable area minimizes the overall maintenance costs and allows the application of pockets of softening landscape materials and the introduction of vertical elements such as trees and medium size shrubbery and ground cover that can be maintained more effectively and under safer working conditions. FISCAL IMPACT: Implementation of the policy will be more cost effective for ongoing City maintenance and water usage for landscape median strips. More intense planting area will generally be privately maintained. WPC 1925P