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SD-10 Site Design & Landscape Planning <br />Designing New Installations <br />Begin the development of a plan for the landscape unit with attention to the following general <br />principles: <br />Formulate the plan on the basis of clearly articulated community goals. Carefully identify <br />conflicts and choices between retaining and protecting desired resources and community <br />growth. <br />Map and assess land suitability for urban uses. Include the following landscape features in <br />the assessment: wooded land, open unwooded land, steep slopes, erosion -prone soils, <br />foundation suitability, soil suitability for waste disposal, aquifers, aquifer recharge areas, <br />wetlands, floodplains, surface waters, agricultural lands, and various categories of urban <br />land use. When appropriate, the assessment can highlight outstanding local or regional <br />resources that the community determines should be protected (e.g., a scenic area, <br />recreational area, threatened species habitat, farmland, fish run). Mapping and assessment <br />should recognize not only these resources but also additional areas needed for their <br />sustenance. <br />Project plan designs should conserve natural areas to the extent possible, maximize natural <br />water storage and infiltration opportunities, and protect slopes and channels. <br />Conserve Natural Areas during Landscape Planning <br />If applicable, the following items are required and must be implemented in the site layout <br />during the subdivision design and approval process, consistent with applicable General Plan and <br />Local Area Plan policies: <br />■ Cluster development on least -sensitive portions of a site while leaving the remaining land in <br />a natural undisturbed condition. <br />■ Limit clearing and grading of native vegetation at a site to the minimum amount needed to <br />build lots, allow access, and provide fire protection. <br />■ Maximize trees and other vegetation at each site by planting additional vegetation, clustering <br />tree areas, and promoting the use of native and/or drought tolerant plants. <br />■ Promote natural vegetation by using parking lot islands and other landscaped areas. <br />■ Preserve riparian areas and wetlands. <br />Maximize Natural Water Storage and Infiltration Opportunities Within the Landscape Unit <br />■ Promote the conservation of forest cover. Building on land that is already deforested affects <br />basin hydrology to a lesser extent than converting forested land. Loss of forest cover reduces <br />interception storage, detention in the organic forest floor layer, and water losses by <br />evapotranspiration, resulting in large peak runoff increases and either their negative effects <br />or the expense of countering them with structural solutions. <br />■ Maintain natural storage reservoirs and drainage corridors, including depressions, areas of <br />permeable soils, swales, and intermittent streams. Develop and implement policies and <br />2 of 4 California Stormwater BMP Handbook January 2003 <br />New Development and Redevelopment <br />www.cabmphandbooks.com <br />