Scenic Corridor Recommendations: Draft 10/5/98
Recommendations re: Landscape Setback Issues
Width Improvements Including Signs and Walls
Issue: Width
Current Policies: Residential = 50' average, 40' minimum. Non-residential= 100' average, 80' minimum.
Recommendations:
100' minimum scenic landscape setback/no development easement beyond the edge of the right-of-way.
Where it is not feasible to achieve the setback/easement through the application review process due to existing small lots, the City shall pursue the purchase of the setback/easement.
No master planned entry monuments and signs can intrude into the setback.
Rationale. The landscape setback should be kept as free from encroachments as possible and should have a constant minimum width for continuity. Most residents do not want to be close to a major street. Adjacent residents or other users can appreciate the open space as well as people in the right-of-way.
Issue: Improvements, Including Signs and Walls
Current Policies: City may permit drainage easement to coincide with scenic corridor setback when a drainage channel is parallel to a street.
Recommendations:
Paths or trails may occur in the setback when these improvements are designed to blend with the desert landscape and to reduce visual impact.
When a natural wash channel is in the setback and the character of the wash is left natural, a drainage easement may occur in the setback. Necessary wash crossings are OK through a design review process. Other drainage and utility easements should be excluded.
No walls should be permitted in the setback. Street identification signs, street lights, other signs, entry monument, gates and gate houses, or other development improvements should be kept out of the setback and should instead be located on adjacent land.
As noted under the right-of-way section, the number of streets and driveways crossing the setback should be kept to the minimum required.
Rationale. The setback is the portion of the scenic corridor that should be left as undisturbed by development as possible to retain the natural desert character.
Issue: Vegetation and Maintenance
Current Policies: Plants may be selected from a native plant list or, for portions of some corridors, from the Department of Water Resources low water plants list. Private developments and homeowners associations are generally responsible.
Recommendations:
Preserve existing vegetation where possible. Revegetation plans for areas next to streets crossing the setback should use native plants in the same proportions as the natural desert area.
Develop a maintenance guide defining what is required and in character with the area, and what can and cannot be done in setbacks.
Revegetation may add plants to the setbacks area to increase the effectiveness of screening adjacent development from the street with plants. The review process for any proposed revegetation will insure that any additional plants are in character with the area.
Rationale. Sonoran Desert plants are very important for the appearance of the scenic corridors. Portions of some of past scenic corridors have included the installation of landscaping using a variety of plants including non-native species. The recommended standard for the future is to keep the existing native plants where "native" means naturally occurring in the adjacent undisturbed land. Some enhancement is possible for screening purposes when existing vegetation is comparatively sparse.
