LANDSCAPING (PLANTINGS AND RELATED STRUCTURES)

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Eleanore Franklin
5 years ago
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1 objective/goal To enhance the architecture of the house, buffer undesirable elements, and to complement the natural beauty of the environment, through the effective choice and installation of landscaping, both plant materials and associated structural elements. Review Process if your project meets ANY of the following criteria, NO APPLICATION is required. Mulch Landscape Edging Planters Vegetable Gardens Installation of Plants Removal of Plants You are replacing areas of grass with planted areas mulched with shredded/chipped wood (natural colors, not red) or natural colored gravel (not white). You are installing landscape edging no higher than four inches. You are constructing enclosed planters no higher than 18 inches, made of stone or of landscaping timbers that are squared, not rounded. You are installing a vegetable garden in your rear or side yard. You are installing any type of planting, including trees or hedges, unless the DRB has specifically required the plan be submitted for approval as part of its review of an associated application. You are removing only undesirable plants such as brambles, poison ivy, honeysuckle, invasive exotic species, etc. from a DRB-approved natural area. if your project meets the following criteria, you must complete an APPLICATION FORM. a cluster board officer signature is required. staff may review your application. Fish Pond You are installing a plastic-lined fish pond in a completely fenced rear yard, maximum size 20 square feet, set into the ground, with appropriate landscaping to integrate the pond into its environment. The pond may include one small fountain or cascade. Page 1 of 5

2 Retaining Walls You are replacing an existing wall using landscaping timbers or stone without modifying its dimensions or configuration OR you are installing a retaining wall less than 18" high at any point, to define a planting bed, constructed of landscaping timbers or natural stone. for all other projects, you must complete an APPLICATION FORM and obtain your NEIGHBORS' SIGNATURES. your application will be reviewed by staff in consultation with a drb member or by a panel of the drb, who will apply the following guidelines. Structural Elements Retaining Walls Significant structural elements related to landscaping (such as retaining walls, steps, paved walkways, water features, stone work, etc.) must be reviewed by the DRB. Retaining walls should be configured to relate harmoniously with nearby architectural elements and with the natural contours of the ground. They should be securely constructed (with tie-backs or dead-men as needed) and made of durable materials that are compatible in color and appearance with their natural and architectural environment. The top of the wall should be flat and level, and stepped as the grade changes. Landscaping timbers should be square, not rounded. Manufactured block systems are generally not suitable for residential use. The DRB will carefully review the color, size and proportion of the proposed blocks, to determine their appropriateness. Consider dividing high walls into one or more terraces, to minimize their visual impact. The DRB may also require plant material in front of, or cascading over, retaining walls to soften their appearance. Garden Walls use dead-men or cable tiebacks to anchor wall top of wall flat and level Garden walls should be harmonious in design, configuration, scale, material, and color with the architecture of associated buildings, and compatible with their environment. They should be installed with minimum alteration of the natural contours, and set back from property lines. The wall should be constructed of stone, brick, or stucco, in a workmanlike manner, and appropriate landscaping should be provided to soften its appearance and integrate the wall into its setting. Page 2 of 5

3 Regrading Plant Materials Vegetable Gardens Ponds Stone Garden Sculpture Walkways and Steps Regrading which alters the existing flow of water must not detrimentally affect neighboring properties or compromise the health of trees and existing vegetation. Plant materials should be appropriate in character, habit, species, size (both installed and mature size), number, and arrangement for their purpose and environment. Vegetable gardens should be located so as to minimize their visibility from neighboring properties and streets. Ponds and water features should be appropriate in size, design and configuration for their location, constructed in a workmanlike manner of durable materials, and appropriately landscaped to integrate the pond visually into its environment. Any lighting (including underwater lighting) must be reviewed and approved by the DRB. Stone, whether used as accent elements, ground cover, paving material, or dry creeks, should be chosen so that its color, size, and installation complement the architecture of the house, its natural environment, and the associated plant material. White stones are generally not acceptable. Garden sculpture will be reviewed under the Design Guidelines for Art Works. Walkways, paths and steps should be simply configured and easy to negotiate, and should follow (and be set into) the natural contours of the ground. They should be securely constructed of durable materials that are compatible in color and appearance with one another and with their natural and architectural environment. Page 3 of 5

4 Application Checklist include the following with your application: Site Plan Grading Plan Planting Plan Construction Drawings Samples A copy of your site plan, drawn to scale, showing the house, property lines, and all existing or proposed structural and landscaping elements (decks, fences, walkways, terracing, etc.) relevant to the application For regrading, retaining wall or terracing applications, an indication (through contour lines, arrows, spot elevations, and/or section drawings) of the existing and proposed grading and drainage patterns For plant material, a symbol for each plant, accurately located and drawn to scale at its mature size, and a legend that relates the plant symbols to the names of the plants they represent For any structural element, construction drawings showing details of its design and installation Samples and specifications or accurate description of all materials and colors Comments here is some additional information that may be helpful. Non-Reviewable Plant Support Structures The DRB does not consider a reasonable number of small decorative garden ornaments (such as bird feeders, stepping stones, wind chimes, small decorative garden ornaments, removable plant support structures, etc.) to be reviewable items. Underground drainpipe does not require DRB review if it does not have a substantial effect on the original drainage patterns. For information regarding plant support structures, see the Design Guidelines for Trellises and Arbors. Page 4 of 5

5 Detrimental Vegetation Wildlife Habitat Mulch and Stone Color Manufactured Block System Concerns about trees or other plant material which may be detrimental to a neighboring property may be addressed under Section VI.2(b)(6) Vegetation of the Deed (call Covenants Administration for additional information). Reston has been named a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For information about converting your yard to a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, contact RA Natural Areas Specialist, at or visit the Nature section on Mulch should be naturally colored (not red) and stone should be naturally colored (not white). If used, manufactured block systems (modular, segmented, etc.) should have a natural look, a random pattern that ranges in size and color, and rusticated appearance that mimics natural stone. Uniform modular blocks are generally not acceptable. Questions? Call Covenants Administration: (703) Page 5 of 5

Landscape Edging. objective/goal. Review Process

Landscape Edging. objective/goal. Review Process objective/goal To enhance the architecture of the buildings, buffer undesirable elements, and complement the natural beauty of the environment, through the effective choice and installation of landscaping,