651 i
TOWN OF TAUS
ORDINANCES
YEAR: ( q1S
NUMBER: � S
t
r
ORDINANCE NO. 651
AN OFDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LANDSCAPING
GUIDELINES
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Taos, that,
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A CONCEPT
A landscaping plan should indicate a well designed treatment
,f exterior spaces which measurably improves the overall
quality of the project and adds to the visual appearance
of the community. Landscaping elements included in these
guidelines shall consist of all forms of planting and
vegetation, ground forms, rock groiapins, water patterns,
and all visible construction except buildings and utili-
tarian structures.
B. PROCEDURE
A landscaping plan shall be submitted with all applications
for planned unit developments, special reviews, and for all
applications for building permits for multiple family,
commercial, and industrial uses. The landscaping plan must
be approved prior to any final approval of a building permit
or development plan.
C. LANDSCAPING OBJECTIVES
1. All required setbacks or yards along a public roadway
shall be landscaped to provide for an attractive street-
scape, to enchance architectural features, and to contri-
bute to the development of an attractive site plan.
2. Site planning including extra-wide set-backs and yards,
in excess of zoning restrictions, is encouraged to pro-
vide an interesting relationship between buildings.
3. Attractive landscaping shall be designed to provide a
smooth transition to adjacent properties.
4. Parking areas and traffic ways shall be enhanced with
landscaped spaces containing trees or tree groupings
and shall be screened from public roadways. In addition
other decorative elements, building wall extensions,
planting, berms or other innovative means should be
utilized so as to largely screen parking areas from
view from public ways.
5. Screening of service yards and other places which tend
to be unsightly shall be accomplished by the use of
walls, fencing, planting, or combinations of these.
r
i
i
EM
6. Landscaping shall be utilized to facilitate the buffer-
ing of one land use from a less intensive land use.
7. Where appropriate, there shall be open space and re-
creational areas to serve the needs of residents.
II. SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
Landscaping plans must contain the following information:
1. * Recommended scale of 1" (one inch) per 20' (twenty feet),
and north point indicated.
2. The location, size, surface materials, and color of all
structure (s), parking areas and other man-made elements.
3. A grading plan showing the existing and final elevations.
4. The location, type and size of major existing plant materials
and the location, type, size and quantity of proposed plants
and other materials.
5. Common and botanical names must be identified next to all
plant materials or by a clearly understandable legend.
6. All plant materials must be shown at 3/4 (three-fourths) mature
size in appropriate relation to scale.
7. Location of the irrigation system which for larger areas must
be accomplished by an underground sprinkler system. For
smaller areas, manual watering may be allowed if there are
provisions made for adequate water outlets.
8. Estimated date for completion of installation of plantings
and finish materials.
9. Estimated cost of materials and the installation of the lands-
caping materials.
10. Graphic quality must be equal to standard architectural and
engineering practice.
III. LANDSCAPIN« PLAN
A. PLANTING SIZE - Sizes can be modified depending on the
characteristic of the individual species.
1. Deciduous trees - 1 1/2" (one and one-half inch) caliper,
1' one foot above ground.
2. Ornamental and flowering trees - 1" (one inch) caliper,
1' one foot above ground.
3. Evergreen trees - 5' (five foot) size.
4. Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
- 2 -
5. Hedges - 5 (five) gallon size.
6. Vines - 1 (one) gallon size.
7. Evergreen Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
B. GROUND COVER
1. Grass or live ground cover shall be the primary ground
cover in landscaped areas. Sod planting is recommended
but grass seeding is allowed under special circumstances.
Ground preparation is essential to insure the proper
growth of grass.
2. Vines are another acceptable ground cover, but are
restricted to non-pedestrian areas. Ground preparation is
essential to insure the proper growth of vines.
3. Other types of ground cover, e.g. redwood bark or crushed
rock, shall be used only under special circumstances and
shall be normally limited to small areas.
4. All plant material must meet the specifications of the
American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) .
C. ARTIFICIAL LANDSCAPING
1. No artificial type (trees or shrubs) plants are perT tted in
any exterior areas unless specifically provided and app-
roved as part of the overall landscaping plan.
2. No synthetic ground cover, e.g. astro turf, is permitted
unless specifically provided and approved as part of the
overall.. landscaping plan,
D. PLANTING GUIDELINES
1. All material shall be planted in accordance with recog-
nized standards such as the American Standard for Nursery
Stock, published by the American Association of Nursery-
men, Inc.
IV. COMPLETION OF LANDSCAPING
1. When the final plan is submitted, a date for completion of
all plantings and related work must be on the plan.
2. Prior t n the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any
projec!,, pursuant to Section 541, Certificate of Occupancy in
use, Planning & Zoning Ordinance, Town of Taos, all work as
indicated on the approved landscaping plan shall be inspected
and approved by the Planning Department.
3. If the landscaping cannot be installed prior to the desired
time for a Certificate of Occupancy, then the Planning Staff
may allow the escrowing of funds or other acceptable finan-
cial guarantees. Cost estimates for landscaping not install-
ed at that time must be presented to the Planning Staff for
approval.
-3-
V. MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPING
1. The extent and quality of maintenance is essential if a
development is to have continued good appearance. Therefore,
the developer and his succesor and/or assigns are responsible
for the maintenance of the landscaping plan as originally
approved.
2. The developer, his successor and/or assigns are responsible
for regular weeding, irrigating, fertilizing and pruning
of all plantings.
3. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of insect pests,
disease and/or damage shall be appropriately treated, and
dead plant materials shall be replaced.
PASSED APPROVED AND ADOPTED this Y d day -"A i' 1978•
�
TOWN OF THOS,
,EST
- BY:
T CLERK MAYOR
z
-4-
k
TOWN OF THOS, TAOS, NEW MEXICO
NOTICE OF -ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 651
' At a regular meeting held on Wednesday, September 20, 1918 the
Taos Town Council approved and adopted Ordinance No. 651 an ordin-,
mice providing for landscaping gudelines, The title and subject
matter of such proposed ordinance is as follows;
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LANDSCAPING .
GUIDELINES
The following is a general summary of the subject matter contained in
Ordinance No. 651:
• AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LANDSCAPING
GUIDELINES
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Taos, that,
1. GEi�AT• PROVISIONS
• A. CONCEPT
A landscaping plan should indicate a well designed treatment
of exterior spaces which measurably improves the overall.
quality of the project and adds to the visual appearance
of the community. Landscaping elements included in these
guidelines shall consist of all forms of planting and
vegetation, ground forms, rock groupins, water patterns,
and all visible construction except buildings and utili-
tarian structures.
�. PROCEDUM
A •landscaping plan shall be submitted with all applications
for planned unit developments, special reviews, and for all
applications for building permits for multiple family,
commercial, and industrial uses. The landscaping plan Dust
be approved prior to any final approval of a building permit
or development plan.
C. LANDSCAPING OBJECTIVES
1. A11 required setbacks or yards along a public roadway
shall be lands,,t;�aped to provide for an attractive street-
scape, to enchance architectural features, and to contri-
bute to the development of an attractive site plan.
2. Site planning including extra-wide set-backs and yards,
in excess of zoning restrictions, is encouraged to pro-
vide an interesting relationship between buildings.
3. Attractive landscaping shall be designed to provide a
smooth transition to adjacent properties.
11. Parking areas and traffic ways shall be enhanced with
landscaped spaces conta3,ning trees or tree groupings ,
and shall be screened from public roadways. In addition
other decorative elements, building wall extensions,
planting, berms or other innovative means should be
4 utilized so as to largely screen parking areas from
! view from public ways.
5. Screening of service yards and other places which tend
to be unsightly shall be accomplished by the use of
walls, fencing, planting, or combinations of these. �
6. Landscaping shall be utilized to facilitate the buffer-
ing of one land use from a less intensive land use.
7. Where appropriate, there shall be open space and re-
creational areas to serve the needs of residents.
II. SITE PLAN REQUDUNEIJTS
Landscaping plans must contain the following information:
1. Recommended scale of l" *(one inch) per 20' (twenty feet),
and north point indicated.
2. The location, size, surface materials, and color of all
structure (s), parking areas and other man-made elements.
3. A grading plan showing the existing and final elevations. I
I
�. The location, type and size of major existing plant materials
and the location, type, size and quantity of proposed plants
and other materials.
5. Common and botanical names must be identified neat to all
plant materials or by a clearly understandable legend.
6. All plant materials must be shown at 3/4 (three-fourths) matur
size in appropriate relation to scale.
7. Location of the irrigation system which for larger areas must
be accomplished by an underground sprinkler system. For
smaller areas, manual watering may be allowed if there are
provisions made for adequate water outlets.
8. Estimated date for completion of installation of plantings
and finish materials.
9. Estimated cost of materials and the installation of the lEnds-
caping materials.
10. Graphic quality must be equal to standard architectural and
engineering practice.
0
0
III. LANDSCAPING PLAN
A. PLANTING SIZE - Sizes can be modified depending on the
characteristic of the individual species.
1. Deciduous trees - 1 1/2" (one and one-half inch) caliper,
1' one foot above ground.
2. Ornamental and flowering trees - 1" (one inch) caliper,
1' one foot above ground.
3. Evergreen trees - 5' (five foot) size.
4. Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
5. Hedges - 5 (five) gallon size.
6. Vines - 1 (one) gallon size.
7. Evergreen Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
B. GROUND COVER
1. Grass or live ground cover shall be the primary ground
cover in landscapeu areas. Sod planting is recommended
but grass seeding is allowed under special circumstances.
Ground preparation is essential to insure the proper
growth of grass.
2. Vines are another acceptable ground cover, but are
restricted to non-pedestrian areas. Ground preparation is
essential to insure the proper growth of vines.
3. Other types of ground cover, e.g. redwood bark or crushed
rock, shall be used only under special circumstances and
shall be normally limited to small areas.
4. All plant material must meet the specifications of the
American Association of Nurserymen (AAN).
C. ARTIFICIAL LANDSCAPING
1. No artificial type (trees or shrubs) plants are permitted
any exterior areas unless specifically provided and app-
roved as part of the overall landscaping plan.
2. No synthetic ground cover, e.g. astro turf, is permitted
unless specifically provided and approved as part of the
overall landscaping plan.
D. PLANTING GUIDELINES
1. All material shall be planted in accordance with recog-
nized standards such as the American Standard for Nursery
Stock, published by the American Association of Nursery-
men, Inc.
r
0
IV. COMPLETION OF LANDSCAPING
1. When the final plan is submitted, a date for completion of
all plantings and related work must be on the plan.
2. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any
• project pursuant to Section 541, Certificate of Occupancy in
use, Planning & Zoning Ordinance, Town of Taos, all work as
indicated on the approved landscaping plan shall be inspected
and approved by the Planning Department.
3. If the landscaping cannot be installed prior to the desired
time for a Certificate of Occupancy, then the Planning Staff
may allow the escrowing of funds or other acceptable finan-
cial guarantees. Cost estimbtes for landscaping not ins-0_1-
ed at that time must be presented to the Planning Staff for
approval.
V. MAII4TERANCE OF LANDSCAPING
t� ,
1. The extent and quality of maintenance is essential if a
development is to have continued good appearance. Therefore,
the developer and his succes or and/or assigns are responsible
for the maintenance of the landscaping plan as originally
approved.
2. The developer, his successor and/or assigns are responsible .
for regular weeding, irrigating, fertilizing and pruning
of all plantings.
3. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of insect pests,
disease and/or damage shall be appropriately treated, and
dead plant materials shall be replaced.
COMPLETE COPIES OF THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE
TOWN CLERK, MUNICIPAL OFFICES (ON ARMORY STREET) IN THOS, NEW MEXICO AND ARE AVAIL-
ABLE DURING THE NORMAL AND REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF THE TOWN CLERK UPON REQUEST
i
AND PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE CHARGE.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of the TOWN OF THOS, Taos, New Mexico, this
' 21st day of September 1978.
(SEAL) .
TOWN CLERK
Legal No. Publish One (1) Time: September 28, 1978
TOWN OF TAOS, TAGS, NEW MEXICO
NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The Tr.os Town Council of the Town of Tnos (herein the ftTown") , New M--xico,
hereby gives notice of its intention Ln hold -) regular public meetiniY at 7: 30
F.M. , on Wednesday, September 10. 1`?7R, nt the Taos Town Hall, Armory Street,
Taos, New Mexico. At such meeting the Council will adopt an Ordinance pro-
vidin;7 for landscaping; guidelines . The title and subject matter of s!ich pro-
nosed ordinance is as Coll.ows:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LANDSCAPING
GUIDELINES
The following is a general siunmary of the subject matter contair.cd in
Ordinance No. 651.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LANDSCAPING
GUIDELINES
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Taos, that,
1. GE10 AL PROVISIONS
11. CONCEPT
A landscaping plan should indicate a well designed treatment
of exterior spaces which measurably improves the overall
quality of the project and adds to the visual appearance
of the community. Landscaping elements included in these
guidelines shall consist of all forms of planting and
vegetation, ground forms, rock groupins, water patterns,
and all visible construction except buildings and utili-
tarian structures.
B. PROCEDURE
A landscaping plan shall be submitted with all applications
for planned unit developments, special reviews, and for all
applications for building permits for multiple family,
commercial, and industrial uses. The landscaping plan must
be approved prior to any final approval of a building permit
or development plan..
C. LANDSCAPING OBJDCTIVFS
1. All required setbacks or yards along a public roadway
shall be landscaped to provide for an attractive street-
scape, to enchance architectural features, and to contri-
bute to the development of an attractive site plan.
2. Site planning including extra-wide set-backs and yards,
in excess of zoning restrictions, is encouraged to pro-
vide an interesting relationship between buildings.
3. Attractive landscaping shall be designed to provide a
smooth transition to adjacent properties.
4. Parking areas and traffic ways shall be enhanced with
landscaped spaces containing trees or tree groupings
and shall be screened from public roadways. In addition
other decorative elements, building wall extensions,
planting, berms or other innovative means should be
utilized so as to largely screen parking areas from
view from public ways.
5. Screening of service yards and other places which tend
to be unsightly shall be accomplished by the use of
walls, fencing, planting, or combinations of these.
6. Landscaping shall be utilized to facilitate the buffer-
ing of one land use from a less intensive land use.
7. Where appropriate, there shall be open space and re-
creational areas to serve the needs of residents.
II. SITE PLAN REQUIREM_EIS `
I
Landscaping plans must contain the following information:
1. Recommended scale of 1" *(one inch) per 20' (twenty feet) ,
and north point indicated.
2. The location, size, surface materials, and color of all
structure (s) , parking areas and other man-made elements .
3. A grading plan showing the existing and final elevations .
4. The location, type and size of major existing plant materials
and the location, type, size and quantity of proposed plants
and other materials.
I
5. Common and botanical names must be identified next to all
plant materials or by a clearly understandable legend.
I
6. All plant materials must be shown at 3/4 (three-fourths) mature
size in appropriate relation to scale.
7• Location of the irrigation system which for larger areas must
be accomplished by an underground sprinkler system. For
smaller areas, manual watering may be allowed if there are
provisions made for adequate water outlets.
8. Estimated date for completion of installation of plantings
and finish materials.
9. Estimated cost of materials and the installation of the lands-
caping materials.
10. Graphic quality must be equal to standard architectural and
engineering practice.
. i
III. LANDSCAPING PLAN
A. PLANTING SIZE - Sizes can be modified depending on the
characteristic of the individual species.
1. Deciduous trees - 1 1/2" (one and one-half inch) caliper,
1 ' one foot above ground.
2. Ornamental and flowering, trees - 1" (one inch) caliper,
1' one foot above ground.
3. Evergreen trees - 5' (five foot) size.
4. Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
5. Hedges - 5 (five) gallon size.
' 6. Vines - 1 (one) gallon size.
i
7. Evergreen Shrubs - 5 (five) gallon size
B. GROUND COVER
1. Grass or live ground cover shall be the primary ground
cover in landscaped areas. Sod planting is recommended
$ but grass seeding is allowed under special circumstances.
Ground preparation is essential to insure the proper
growth of grass.
x
2. Vines are another acceptable ground cover, but are
restricted to non-pedestrian areas. Ground preparation is
essential to insure the proper growth of vines.
3. Other types of ground cover, e.g. redwood bark or crushed
rock, shall be used only under special circumstances and
shall be normally limited to small areas.
4. All plant material must meet the specifications of the
American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) .
C. ARTIFICIAL LANDSCAPING
1. No artificial type (trees or shrubs) plants are permitted
any exterior areas unless specifically provided and app-
roved as part of the overall landscaping plan.
2. No synthetic ground cover, e.g. astro turf, is permitted
unless specifically provided and approved as part of the
overall landscaping plan.
D. PLANTING GUIDELINES
1. All material shall be planted in acco nee with recog-
nized standards such as the American Standard for Nursery
Stock, published by the American Association of Nursery-
men, Inc.
i
IV. COMPLETION OF LANDSCAPING
1. When the final plan is submitted, a date for completion of
all plantings and related work must be on the plan.
2. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any
project pursuant to Section 541, Certificate of Occupancy in
use, Planning & Zoning Ordinance, Town of Taos, all -work as
indicated on the approved landscaping plan shall be inspected
and approved by the Planning Department.
3. If the landscaping cannot be installed prior to the desired
time for a Certificate of Occupancy, then the Planning Staff
may allow the escrowing of funds or other acceptable finan-
cial guarantees. Cost estimhtes for landscaping not install-
ed at that time must be presented to the Planning Staff for
approval,
V. MAINTENANCE OF LANDSCAPING
1. The extent and quality of maintenance is essential if a
s development is to have continued good appearance. Therefore,
the developer and his succesor and/or assigns are responsible
for the maintenance of the landscaping plan as originally
approved.
2. The developer, his successor and/or assigns are responsible .
for regular weeding, irrigating, fertilizing and pruning
of all plantings.
3. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of insect pests,
disease and/or dlamage shall— be appropriately treated, and
dead plant materials shall be replaced.
COMPLETE COPIES OF THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE
TOWN CLERK, MUi41CIPAL OFFICES (ON ARMORY STREET) IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO AND ARE AVAIL-
ABLE DURING THE NORMAL AITD REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF THE TOWN CLERK UPON REQUEST
AND PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE CHARGE.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of the TOWN OF TAOS, Taos, New Mexico, this
24th day of August, 1978.
(SEAL) .
TOWN CLERK
Legal. No. Publish One (1) Time: August 31, 1973.