Section 8 Tauranga City Council
Contents 8 0 Street Landscaping 8A General 8.A.1 8.A.2 8.A.3 8.A.4 8.A.5 8.A.6 8.A.7 8B Design Requirements for Landscaping 8.B.1 Location 8.B.1.1 8.B.1.2 8.B.1.3 8.B.1.4 Street Gardens 8.B.2 Species Selection 8.B.2.1 8.B.2.2 8.B.2.3 8.B.3 Quality Control 8.B.3.1 8.B.3.2 8.B.3.3 8.B.4 Landscaping Structures 8.B.4.1 8.B.4.2 8.B.4.3 8.B.4.4 8.B.4.5 8.B.5 Irrigation 8.B.5.1 8.C Construction and Maintenance Requirements 8.C.1.Introduction 8.C.1.1 8.C.1.2 8.C.2 Soil and Fertility 8.C.2.1 8.C.2.2 8.C.2.3 8.C.2.4 8.C.3 Weeds 8.C.3.1 8.C.4 Mulch 8.C.4.1 8.C.4.2 8.C.4.3 8.C.4.4 8.C.5 Juvenile Tree Planting 2
8.C.5.1 8.C.5.2 8.C.5.3 8.C.5.4 8.C.5.5 8.C.5.6 8.C.5.7 8.C.5.8 8.C.5.9 8.C.5.10 8.C.6 Pruning 8.C.6.1 8.C.6.2 8.C.6.3 8.C.6.4 8.C.6.5 8.C.6.6 8.C.6.7 8.C.6.8 8.C.6.9 8.C.7 Irrigation (of shrubbery s and juvenile trees 8.C.7.1 8.C.7.2 8.C.8 Pesticides and Herbicide Application 8.C.8.1 8.C.8.2 8.D Notification 8.E As-Builts and Documentation 8.E.1 8.F Reserves 8.F.1 General 8.F.2 8.G Fencing of Reserves 8.H Development of Reserves to Vest 8.H.1. General 8.H.2 Landscape Works 3
SECTION 8: PARKS AND RESERVES 8.0 Street Landscaping 8.A General 8.A.1 This section applies to landscaping within areas of road reserve which will vest in Council. 8.A.2 Street landscaping is a basic requirement as street trees and other plantings enhance the subdivisional environment. Council will not accept a subdivision proposal if adequate landscape design has not been considered by the consent holder or justification for not including street landscaping provided when the engineering and landscape plans are submitted. Alternative proposals (other than landscaping) aimed at enhancing the subdivisional environment will be considered by Council. 8.A.3 Street landscaping is to be in accordance with the principles and requirements of Council s Vegetation Management Strategy, Urban Design Strategy, Open Space Strategy, and Integrated Transportation Strategy. Street landscaping provides a range of functional and aesthetic opportunities for environmental enhancement. FUNCTIONAL: Defines space Provides shade shelter and privacy Screens unsightly developments Ameliorates noise and pollution Assists driver recognition of road bends, junctions and roading hierarchy. Reduces glare and reflection Controls erosion Creates physical barriers. Provides recreation and amenity value 8.A.4 The landscaping of streets will be carried out as part of the overall landscaping of the subdivision where attention will already have been paid to the preservation and incorporation of land form, existing vegetation where this is characteristic of the area, topsoil, and features of heritage, ecological, and geological significance. 8.A.5 Street landscaping is to enhance and strengthen the existing character and intended future character of neighbourhood areas and unify those areas into an integrated district. AESTHETIC: Frames views Emphasises landform and landscape features Provides visual unity in the environment Reduces the visual impact of the roadway Softens hard surfaces and bleak areas Provides colour form and texture Provides visual lineage within and between regions Provides identity and environment. 8.A.6 Any landscaping shall provide maximum long term benefit with minimum ongoing maintenance. It must not compromise the safe use of the legal road reserve or effect its structural integrity. 8.A.7 In instances where a reserve is to be vested in Council the relevant minimum requirements and means of compliance outlined in Section 8 of this Code shall apply in addition to the requirements of this section where landscape works are proposed within the reserve. 4
8.B Design Requirements for Landscaping 8.B.1 Location 8.B.1.1 Trees and garden plantings shall be located so as not to compromise the integrity and efficient operation of infrastructural services and shall have strong regard to ongoing maintenance costs and safety of contractors. 8.B.1.2 The minimum separation and site distances referred to in Diagrams L1, L1a and L2 should be observed for tree planting. These distances are guidelines and may have to be varied,depending on the road geometry. 8.B.1.3 Alternative location and design proposals will also be considered, such as provision of trees in a dedicated non-services berm, either side of a footpath. Meandering footpaths allow for tree planting singularly and in groups, can help accentuate road groups, and road perception. Strategically placed grouped plantings of trees can be of greater benefit and impact than individual trees placed outside each house. The location requirements outlined in 8.B.1.1 to 8.B.1.4 are minimum guidelines only. Council encourages the submission of alternative landscape design including: ducting of services placement of footpaths over services; roading layout and design to allow sufficient space for tree planting etc (refer to Drawing R.3 in Section 4 for some suggested alternative design options). Careful consideration also must be given to possible vehicle crossing access points to the property. Trees at times require relocating by Developer at Building Consent stage. 8.B.1.4 Street Gardens (a) Location All street gardens shall be adjacent to a sub collector, collector or arterial road. Therefore, a street garden must not be solely adjacent to a local road. Street gardens placed in private roads or lanes will not be maintained by Council. Within each development, the priority for installing street gardens will be: o Highest priority: junctions between two arterial roads, or beside arterials roads o Next priority: junctions between arterial and collector roads o Next priority: junctions between two collector roads, or beside collector roads o Lowest priority: junctions between collector and local roads. These requirements are linked to the levels of service as agreed by Council and are in alignment with the Vegetation Management Strategy Grow Tauranga Green. (b) Street Gardens on Roundabouts Roundabouts of less than 10 metres diameter may have one single-trunked specimen tree in a specially constructed tree planting pit also containing grass or low growing shrubs. Roundabouts over 10 metres diameter may be treated as any other junction and may be planted within the constraints of the standard criteria. 5
(c) Garden Size Minimum Maximum Garden Size 45m 2 No maximum Width for median strips and traffic islands The minimum means that tapered ends will need to be hard surface. Quantity of street gardens in the subdivision Amount of street gardens per lineal metre of collector or arterial road in the subdivision Distance between plants for the whole garden Exceptions can be made for bulbs and some selected perennials which may be planted closer together Mulch 1.5metres No maximum 0.40m 2 0.50m 2 0.5 metres 1.0 metre Tree chip Cambium grade bark, shell or other medium acceptable to Council (d) The mature size of any tree or garden planting is to be assessed for each planting location and is to be in scale with the permitted or intended surrounding environment (e) Plants should not exceed 450mm in height in the sight triangle of intersections, or other traffic or vehicle/pedestrian conflict areas, unless tree planting provides for eventual clear trunk to a high canopy, or planting does not interfere with sight lines. 8.B.2 Species Selection 8.B.2.1 Species are to be selected with regard to overall composition, low maintenance, longevity and should comply with Council s Vegetation Management Strategy, planting policies and the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy Operative 2003-2008 plus any amendments. A list of inappropriate species has been included in Drawing L4 which is a guideline only. There may be species other than those listed that may not be acceptable to the Council. Drawing L4 (Inappropriate Plant Species List) is a living document and will be reviewed annually. Developers are encouraged to consult with the City Arborist regarding acceptable tree and plant species prior to submission of landscape plans for approval. 6
8.B.2.2 The number of species used is to be consistent to ensure a unified result and species choice in street gardens is to compliment the street planting, environment, and scale of surroundings. The following matters are to be considered for correct species selection: Suitability to environmental conditions e.g. Ground moisture, wind, etc. Tolerance to amenity situation Pest and disease resistance. Non-suckering habit. Longevity Shading consistent with location Minimum maintenance requirements. Invasive root systems. 8.B.2.3 Prior to planting, all species are to be quality inspected and approved by the Group Manager: City Services. 8.B.3 Quality Control 8.B.3.1 All plant material shall be sound, healthy, vigorous and free of any defects which may be detrimental to plant growth and development. Defects may include but are not limited to the following: Pests i Included bark Diseases i Form not consistent with species Sun scalds i Multileaders Abrasions i Dead wood Cankers i Girdling roots Cracks i Weed and parasites Excess dead leaf material i Breakages Plants not hardened off i Spent flowerheads Tree proportion (ie trunk i Frost damage calliper, tree size, rootball i Root bound compared to canopy) The optimum planting season runs from the beginning of May until September. 8.B.3.2 Generally only species adapted to the site conditions shall be planted. 8.B.3.3 All plant material is to have roots extending to and touching the planter bag and are not to have been recently bagged on. 7
8.B.4 Landscaping Structures 8.B.4.1 Landscaping structures include (but are not limited to) sculptures, walls, fences, screens, bollards, entranceways, posts, etc and may be of materials such as concrete, brick, stone, rock and timber. The design of the landscape must be considered as an integral part of the development and surroundings to fulfil both functional and aesthetic requirements. Durability and maintenance requirements must be considered. 8.B.4.2 Structures shall be located so as to not obstruct signs, sight lines at intersections and pedestrian crossings. The separation distances must be considered together with trees and other landscaping features. 8.B.4.3 Structures shall be designed to safely withstand appropriate loadings and must not be a hazard to traffic. 8.B.4.4 Entranceways structures shall be located fully on private land. This policy applies mainly to arterial routes and on minor roads Council may allow minor structures in the road reserve on a specific approval basis. 8.B.4.5 The Consent Holder is responsible for gaining any necessary building consents in respect of proposed structures. 8.B.5 Irrigation 8.B.5.1 Irrigation of street gardens is generally not permitted because: plants should be of a type that require minimum maintenance the ongoing maintenance of the irrigation system Council approval is required prior to the installation of any semi-permanent irrigation system. If this is approved, the Consent Holder shall apply and pay for a metered water connection for irrigation purposes, which shall be bonded for removal/disconnection at the end of the landscape maintenance period. Permanent irrigation is dealt with on a case by case basis. 8
8.C Construction and Maintenance Requirements 8.C.1 Introduction This section outlines minimum maintenance standards required and recommended procedures to be followed to ensure that all landscape works are to the correct standard of the Council s maintenance contract specifications prior to final inspection and release of the bond. Landscaping works shall be maintained to at least this minimum level throughout the 18 month bond maintenance period which shall commence from the date of s224 issue. 8.C.1.1 The Consent Holder s representative shall ensure the landscape works are maintained throughout the maintenance period. Maintenance shall include the replacement of dead plants and broken stakes, the removal of weeds and dead plant material, the replacement of mulch and irrigation as required. Evidence of regular maintenance contract, including contact details shall be submitted for Council approval prior to the s224 release. 8.C.1.2The Consent Holder s representative shall ensure all maintenance is to the standard required by this Code at the end of the bond period. Application may then be made for the maintenance bond to be released by submitting the completed Landscaping Bond Release Request form L8A to the Council. 8.C.2 Soil and Fertility Recommended Procedures Soil decompaction and conditioning of construction stage are crucial to the long term success and viability of the garden planting and street trees, given the nature of soils in the subdivisional development. 8.C.2.1 The Consent Holder s representative shall ensure that a propriety fertiliser suited to the species is applied where plants are showing signs of lack of fertility, or to ensure maximum health and vigour. 8.C.2.2 Application rates and type of fertiliser vary according to size and species. A typical application rate of fertiliser is 40gms per square metre of soil evenly spread within the drip line of the plant, but not against the trunk. 8.C.2.3 The minimum cultivated depth of soil for a garden shall be 0.5m. 8.C.2.4 A grade top soil shall be used for gardens and tree planting pits. 9
8.C.3 Weeds Recommended Procedures 8.C.3.1 Weeds shall preferably be controlled manually (note the restrictions on use of herbicides and pesticides as outlined in Section 8.C.8.1 and 8.C.8.2). When hoeing or pulling weeds care shall be taken to avoid damage to desirable plants and their roots. Soil shall not be mixed with mulch when removing weeds. 8.C.4 Mulch Minimum Requirements 8.C.4.1 Mulch shall be either tree chip, cambium grade bark, shell or other medium acceptable to Council. Bark mulch must be clean, free of sawdust and dirt and other material including clay or soil with individual pieces no larger than 100mm. Tree chip shall be free of litter, weeds, flax, palm fronds, cabbage tree leaves and weed tree species (including seeds from) eg. willow, wattle, privet, lapantha. Mulch for gardens, shrubberies and trees shall have a uniform finished depth of at least 150mm. Edges shall hold mulch without spillage. (Refer drawing L5). Weed mat shall not be used under any mulch. 8.C.4.2 Mulching shall be carried out on an ongoing basis to all shrubberies and juvenile trees are maintained to the specified depth at end of maintenance period. 8.C.4.3 Mulch shall only be spread after the soil surface is levelled off and weeds removed. Plants shall not be damaged or buried during the mulching process. 8.C.4.4 Where it is known that bark mulch effects certain species (e.g. walnut, macrocarpa) the City Arborist must be consulted to determine a suitable replacement for bark mulch. 10
8.C.5 Juvenile Tree Planting Minimum Requirements 8.C.5.1 An impermeable root barrier is to be laid on both the kerb and path side of each tree. Each barrier shall be a minimum of 4m long, 0.5m depth and 1mm thick. The barrier is to be placed against the back of the kerb and the footpath with the top at approximately 50mm below the finished ground level. The root barrier in 8.C.5.1 will also be laid against both sides of driveways and accessways adjacent to any tree. 8.C.5.2 Contractors involved in juvenile tree planting and maintenance shall be competent horticultural/ arboricultural practitioners and shall follow accepted industry standard procedures for tree planting. Juvenile trees are defined as trees with a trunk diameter of less than 100mm when measured at 1400mm above ground level. 8.C.5.3 Juvenile trees shall be of minimum size of PB150 grade when planted on arterial and collector and sub collector routes and a minimum of PB95 grade on local roads. Bare root stock excluding whips may be accepted for less common species. Acceptance of bare root stock is at the sole discretion of the City Arborist. 8.C.5.4 Given the generally modified nature of soil within the subdivisional environment is essential that a suitable tree planting pit be prepared. It is recommended that the standard given in diagram L6 be followed. Decomposed and treated organic matter is to be mixed into the soil used to backfill planting pits at a rate of 50:50 to ensure rapid establishment of trees. 8.C.5.5 The onus is on the Consent Holder to ensure that trees are protected during the further development of the subdivision (i.e. construction of dwellings/buildings) during the 18 month maintenance period. Attention is to be paid to the requirements set down in the PIM report with respect to distance at driveways in relation to trees, and the installation of root barrier as in 8.C.5.1 and 8.C.5.2. 11
8.C.5.6 In accordance with Section 8.B.3.1 of this Code, juvenile trees must be sound, healthy, vigorous, and free of any defects. 8.C.5.7 Final planted depth is to be consistent with finished ground level. 8.C.5.8 Ties are to be either jute (hessian) or rubber bicycle inner tube (refer to drawing L7 for suggested tree tie configuration). All other ties are to have the approval of the City Arborist prior to planting. 8.C.5.9 Staking shall be uniformly low and visually consistent throughout the subdivision stage. Only untreated hardwood timber stakes shall be used (as a guideline refer drawing L6 ie. Stakes shall be one third of height of tree). The minimum sized stake shall be 50mm x 50mm x 1500mm. 8.C.5.10 Mulch type and depth to be in accordance with Section 8.C.4.1. Trees shall be radially mulched in accordance with drawings L5 and L6. 8.C.6 Pruning Minimum Requirements 8.C.6.1 Pruning shall be carried out on shrubs to maintain a high standard of presentation, display, and plant vigour. Paths, roads and all other accessways shall be kept clear of growth. Pruning is also necessary to ensure signs are not obscured. 8.C.6.2 All weak, dead, diseased and damaged growth shall be removed, and pruning carried out to maintain the desired shape and size. 8.C.6.3 Pruning should not be carried out during leaf burst or leaf fall. 8.C.6.4 The following pruning techniques (for shrubs only) should be employed where appropriate: Tips to be pinched or pruned as appropriate for species to give desired shape and size. Form pruning of young plants to ensure compact form and shape. Undercutting of ground covers at edges generally. Plants are to be pruned so that they do not smother neighbouring plants. 12
8.C.6.5 Pruning to provide adequate sight visibility at intersections and driveways is required. This is to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists (refer drawing L2). 8.C.6.6 All prunings shall be removed to waste as they occur leaving the gardens and surrounding surfaces area in a clean and tidy condition. 8.C.6.7 Spent flower heads shall be removed including but not limited to the following species: Agapanthus, flax, grass species and Arthropodium. 8.C.6.8 All tree pruning shall be undertaken by a qualified arborist or Council s arboricultural contractor. Where Council s arboricultural contractor is not utilised details of the intended contractor are to be supplied to the City Arborist for approval prior to commencement of works. Recommended Procedures 8.C.6.9 It is recommended that all tree pruning shall be undertaken to recognised arboricultural practices as set out in Modern Arboriculture by Alex Shigo and for individual shrub and groundcover species the guidelines contained in the Sunset Pruning Handbook to promote the natural form and habit of the plant. Where a species is not included in the Sunset publication, other approved publications may be referred to. 8.C.7 Irrigation (of shrubbery s and juvenile trees) Recommended Procedures 8.C.7.1 It is recommended that water penetration on each occasion should be to a depth of 300mm throughout the bed. 13
. 8.C.7.2 Each tree should receive approximately forty (40) litres of water per application. Water is to be applied radially to 0.6m from the trunk. Applications should occur at least once per week during the months November, December, January, February, March and April. Water shall be applied at low pressure from a height of less than one metre. Care shall be taken to avoid displacement of soil or mulch whilst undertaking watering. 8.C.8 Pesticides and Herbicide Application 8.C.8.1 Council currently has a policy prohibiting the use of pesticides within Council administered land. There are some exceptions to this policy. The Consent Holder shall request in writing if they consider that pesticide or herbicide application is required. Where pesticides are to be used the consent holder must get approval from Group Manager: City Services for all chemicals to be used. All pesticides shall be approved for use under the Biogro standards. 8.C.8.2 All pesticide application shall be undertaken in accordance with the New Zealand Agrochemical Education Trust s Agrochemical Users Code of Practice (NZS 8409:1995). A copy of this publication is available for viewing from the Department of City Services. 8.D Notification The consent holder shall notify the Group Manager: City Services at the commencement of landscape works in accordance with Section 1. No trees shall be planted until the locations have been inspected and approved by the Council. 14
8.E As Builts and Documentation A Certificate of Subdivision Construction (Drawing L8) is to be provided. As Built plans shall be submitted as per Section 2. 8.E.1 The As Built plans shall schedule the following: - Number of juvenile trees Area of individual gardens Area of individual shrubberies Area of individual lawns (excluding berms adjacent to private lots) 8.F Reserves 8.F.1 General No activity shall take place on reserve land prior to vesting without prior approval of the Group Manager: City Services. Such activity shall include (but is not limited to); the use, storage, or operation of earthmoving equipment; removal of topsoil; dumping of soil on materials. 8.F.2 Land to be vested for reserve purposes shall meet the following general requirements: The land shall be free of noxious weeds, tree stumps and any other specified vegetation. Any foundations, derelict fences, water troughs, cattle yards, races, farm tracks shall to be removed. Building rubble, stock piled soils, builders material, or roading aggregate shall be removed from the proposed reserve site and the area shall be reinstated. Land shall be accessible for tractor mounted mowing equipment and shall have established grass cover or grass that has been mown at least twice prior to acceptance by Council Boundaries shall be surveyed and pegged. The reserve shall be appropriately classified under the Reserves Act and vested in Council. Areas which are prone to erosion or where stability problems may occur are required to be planted or hydro seeded as specified by the Group Manager: City Services Existing trees to be retained shall be inspected and any required arboricultural maintenance work shall be undertaken by an approved arborist prior to vesting. 15
8.G Fencing of Reserves The permanent fencing of common boundaries of any reserve including esplanade and accessway reserves, may be required. The Group Manager: City Services may specify that one of the following options apply. A fencing covenant be registered on all titles of properties with a common boundary to reserve land, indemnifying Council against all costs or erection and maintenance of fences on common boundaries; and/or A fence be erected in accordance with Drawing L11.. 16
8.H Development of Reserves to Vest 8.H.1 General The owner may enter into an agreement with Council to develop the reserve land to vest. Such development work is to be in accordance with detailed plans, costings and specifications that have been approved by the Group Manager: City Services. 8.H.2 Landscape Works Any landscaping proposed on a reserve which is to vest in Council shall comply with the provisions of this Section 8 of the Code of Practice. 17