Meera Brennan & Morgan Butts, CEEC school design

Activity 3.4.6 Landscaping (Optional)

Introduction
Landscaping plays a major role in the valuation of property and has many purposes.
One obvious benefit of landscaping is to improve the appearance of a property. Curb
appeal can increase the value of the property. However, landscaping is also a
means of managing the natural resources of a site. The design should begin with an
evaluation of the natural elements that already exist on a site. The local codes must
be researched to ensure compliance with landscaping regulations. In addition, the
effect of landscaping on the environment should be considered.

To reduce the negative effect of landscaping on the environment, landscaping can

be designed to preserve natural areas and require low water usage, plant selection,
and maintenance.

In this activity you will research landscaping code requirements and create a water-
wise landscape plan for the Keystone Library Renovation project. You may wish to
refer to the research you performed for Activity 3.4.2 Parking Lot Design to help you
complete this activity.

Equipment
Engineering notebook
Pencil
Individual version of Keystone Library Renovation Preliminary Site
(student version)
Internet access

Procedure
1. Research the Noblesville Indiana Unified Development Ordinance
(http://www.cityofnoblesville.org/egov/docs/1102311937181.htm). Review Article
12: Landscaping and Screening and answer the following.
a. What is the requirement concerning existing plant materials?
(Section 4.A.7)
The article says that, Existing plant material should be incorporated into the
landscaping treatment of a site. The preservation of natural features and
landscaping is a criterion for subdivision and planned development review.
- Summary: You have to use the existing plant material in your new
design, you cant just get rid of it.
b. What landscaping treatment is required for detention/retention

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ponds? (Section 4.A.10)

The article says that, Detention/Retention basins and ponds shall be
landscaped. Such landscaping should include shade and ornamental trees,
evergreens, shrubs, hedges, turf, groundcover, and other plant materials
- Summary: Detention/Retention ponds have to look aesthetically
pleasing, and comfortable.
c. What landscape materials are prohibited? (Section 4.B.1.d)
The article says that, Prohibited landscape materials include rocks, gravel,
stone, asphalt, {used in internal and perimeter parking lots areas and landscape
buffer yards;} thorn-bearing plant species and the Juniper plant species.
Flowering species such as roses may be authorized by the Director of Planning
and Development.
- Summary: you cant use:
- rocks
- gravel
- stone
- asphalt
- thorn-bearing plants
- Juniper plants
d. What is the class of the proposed parking lot? (Section 5.B.1)
Class B is the class of the proposed parking lot
e. What percent of the parking area is required to be landscaped?
(Section 5.C.1)
5% of the parking lot is required to be landscaped for Class B.
f. What is the maximum parking lot island size? (Section 5.C.1)
The maximum parking lot island size for Class B is 750 square feet.
g. What is the minimum size of a landscape island in a single row of
parking? What types of plantings must it include? (Section 5.C.1.a)
The article says that, All single row parking landscape islands and peninsulas
shall be a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) square feet in area with a
minimum width of nine (9) feet measured from back of curb to back of curb. Each
island and peninsula shall contain a minimum of one (1) canopy tree and five (5)
evergreen or deciduous shrubs, or ornamental grasses.
- Summary:
- Area: 180 square feet minimum
- dimensions: 9 feet to 9 feet (curb to curb)
- Plants
- 1 canopy tree
- 5 evergreen or deciduous shrubs,
- OR

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- ornamental grasses
h. What is the minimum size of a landscape island in a double row of
parking? (Section 5.C.1.b)
The article says that, All double row parking landscape islands shall be a
minimum of two hundred forty (240) square feet in area with a minimum width of
nine (9) feet measured from back of curb to back of curb. Each island and
peninsula shall contain a minimum of two (2) canopy trees and ten (10) evergreen
or deciduous shrubs, or ornamental grasses.
- Summary:
- Area: 240 square feet minimum
- dimensions: 9 feet to 9 feet (curb to curb)
- Plants
- 2 canopy tree
- 10 evergreen or deciduous shrubs,
- OR
- ornamental grasses
i. What is the requirement at the end of parking rows? (Section
5.C.1.c)
The article says that, All interior parking rows shall be terminated at both ends
with landscape islands. For exterior parking rows, an additional canopy tree
needs to be added at the end of the row.
j. What perimeter parking lot landscaping is required for the Keystone
Library Renovation project? Assume that the property abuts other commercial
facilities and public streets. (Section 5.D.2)
For the Keystone Library Renovation project the parking lot lanscaping
requirements include:
- Parking lots adjacent to, abutting, or by yard type: Rear and interior
side yards abutting a nonresidential use/zone district
- Special Landscape District: 5 feet (Perimeter landscape width)
- All Other Areas: 10 feet (Perimeter landscape width)
- Required Trees (per 100 linear feet): 2 staggered canopy
- Required Shrubs (per 100 linear feet) (Minimum height 24-inches at
time of planting): 33 staggered deciduous or evergreen shrubs
k. Is a landscape buffer yard required for the Keystone Library
Renovation project? (Table 12.0.7.E)
Yes a landscape buffer yard is required for the Keystone Library Renovation
Project, it is 25 feet.

2. Research Xeriscape and water-wise landscaping. [Keywords: Xeriscape, seven

steps to Xeriscape]. One online publication that may be useful is the University of
Georgia Cooperative Extension publication, Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a

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Water-Wise Landscape. At the date of this writing the document was available here:
www.caes.uga.edu/.../whitfield/anr/documents/Xeriscapewaterwise.pdf. However,
the document can be found via an Internet search.
Please note, the link provided does not work, and I had to find the answers to this
using different sources.
http://www.firewise.net/uncategorized/xeriscaping/
Describe/define the term Xeriscape.
A type of landscape that doesnt need a lot of irrigation, typically in areas with no
rain.
List the seven fundamental Xeriscape areas that must be
considered when designing a landscape.
- water conservation
- soil improvement
- Create limited turf areas
- use appropriate plants
- mulch
- irrigate
- maintain your landscape
List the criteria that should be followed when selecting plant
material for a site.
When selecting plant material for a site you need to consider:
- how compatible the plant is with its environment
- can the plant withstand long periods with drought
- try to use native plants
What part does shade play in water resource management and
human comfort?
Shade adds to human comfort, but as far as plants shade can have a negative
effect. Shade creates competition for the resources some plants need to survive.
How should turf be integrated into a Xeriscape?
Turf is not encouraged for a Xeriscape because a lot of water. It is commonly
recommended that you find an alternative for turf such as bark, stone/gravel, and
artificial turf (selection varies between purpose). However, if you do use turf it is
recommended that it is placed relatively close to structure or someplace where
someone has easy access to water it.
What benefit does mulch provide to the landscape?
Mulch has many benefits that are listed below.
- helps retain moisture
- keeps weeds down
- regulates moisture
Print three copies of your project site plan (including property lines, building, patios,

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driveway, and walkways) without detailing. Then complete the following:

3. Using one of the site plans, create a bubble diagram of the basic use areas (public,
private, and service) for your project similar to figure 6 of Xeriscape: A Guide to
Developing a Water-Wise Landscape. Label this Basic Use Areas and then sign
and date. Note: You may have more than one of each use area.
4. On the second site plan, sketch a bubble diagram of water-use zones (low, medium,
high) for your project similar to figure 7 of Xeriscape. Use high-water-use areas
sparinglyonly at the entrance or outdoor entertainment areas. Label this Water
Use Areas and then sign and date.
5. On the third site plan, sketch a concept (master) plan for your project home similar to
figure 8 of Xeriscape. Label this Landscape Concept Plan and then sign and date.
Include symbols for individual shrubs and trees and label each as a
deciduous or coniferous tree or shrub.
Turf areas and beds of seasonal color may be indicated with a bubble for
each location.
Include hardscape (walkways, patios, decks, walls, or fences).
Locate at least one focal point in the design. Label it as such.
Indicate the function of each plant, bed, or turf area on the map (i.e.,
screen neighbor, aesthetics, wildlife habitat, sound control, provide shade, create
wind break, seasonal color, fragrance, divide space, hide trash receptacles, etc.).
6. Incorporate your design into your Keystone Library Renovation Preliminary Site plan.
7. Research potential hardscape elements for your design. Use the Internet and other
resources to choose appropriate materials for your parking area, driveway,
walkways, and other hardscape elements. Create a document that provides pictures
of each hardscape material you plan to use in the landscape. Some websites that
may help are listed below.
Hardscapes for Sustainable Landscapes: Patios, Decks, Walkways,
and Driveways
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19604/ec153
5.pdf
Library of Selected Hardscape Material
http://www.camberlygardens.com/index.html?
body=/Camberly_hardlib.html
Decorative Concrete Photo Gallery
http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo-gallery/
Hardscape materials list:

parking area:
driveway:

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walkways:
other hardscape elements:
I Choose Concrete Pavers for all of these. It is durable, easy to install, has low
maintenance cost, and allows water to pass through. (If laid on a sand base) All of
the options had pros and cons, but Concrete Pavers compelled me because it is
sustainable, durable, cheap, while allowing for more potential aesthetic value due
to the variety of the potential colors.

8. Find the Hardiness Zone in which your project falls by accessing the online USDA
Hardiness Zone Map (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html).
Create a document with a close-up map of the appropriate
region. On the map, locate your project and identify the
applicable hardiness zone. Include a header with your
name, project name and date, source of information, and
Project Location and Hardiness Zone.

(close up of charlottes general region)

9. Identify potential trees for your project using the Arbor Day Foundation website at
http://www.arborday.org/. Search the site for the Hardiness Zone Map. Using the
appropriate ZIP code (46060 is a Noblesville, IN ZIP code), find the most popular
trees for your hardiness zone. Print this list of trees.

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10. On the same site, search for the Tree Guide and use the search feature to find at
least two of these ten trees in the database. Create a document which includes a
picture of at least two of these trees that you may consider using in your landscape
plan. Next to each tree image, record the following: name, height, spread, growth
rate, soil, sun, shape, and whether the tree is deciduous or coniferous. Include a
header with your name, project name and date, source of information, and Popular
Tree Characteristics.

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Arbor Day Foundation, Popular Tree Characteristics

Early Harvest Apple

Height: 10 to 25 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Growth rate: fast
Soil: moist, well drained
Sun: full exposure
Shape: oval
Deciduous or coniferous

Orange Azaleas Mollis

Hybrid

Height: 4 to 6 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Growth rate: slow
Soil: acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam,
well drained soils
Sun: full or partial shade exposure
Shape: rounded
Deciduous or coniferous

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11. Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Recommended Species page
(http://www.wildflower.org/collections/). Print out the printer-friendly species list of
native plants. Browse the list and highlight at least one species each of trees,
shrubs, herbs, and vines that will thrive in each of the water use zones (high,
moderate, and low) using a different color highlighter for each water use zone.
Alternatively, you can use the Narrow Your Search tool to identify species that will
thrive in specific growing conditions.

12. Create a document that includes an image of each species that you highlighted and
specifies the plant characteristics and growing conditions for each. Include a header
with your name, project name and date, source of information, and Recommended
Native Plants.

13. Using the criteria you listed for step 4, choose appropriate plants for your project
landscape design. Try to limit the number of plant species used and consider site
orientation factors as well. Create a Landscape (Planting) Plan in Revit .
Show existing trees to be removed, if applicable.
Show existing trees to remain, if applicable.
Show all new vegetation. Label all species on the plan.
Include a planting schedule which shows the number of each
species.

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Recommended Native Plants.

(all information gathered directly from:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants-main )
Trees:

Juneberry, Junebush, Shadblow

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Box elder, Box elder maple, Ash-leaved maple

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun
Water: Moist

Cucumbertree, Cucumber tree

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Wet, Moist

Shrubs:

Allegheny chinquapin, Allegheny chinkapin

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Dry

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Alternateleaf dogwood, Alternate-leaf dogwood

Habit: Shrub
Light: Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Swamp azalea, Clammy azalea, Cory

azalea
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Light: Part-shade
Water: Wet

Herbs:

Lanceleaf coreopsis, Lance-leaved

coreopsis
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Dry

Blue mistflower, Wild ageratum

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Eastern bluestar, Blue dogbane

Duration: Perennial

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Habit: Herb
Light: Part-shade
Water: Wet

Vines: (note: no natives vines thrive in a wet environment)

Purple passionflower, Purple passion vine

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Part-shade
Water: Moist, Dry

American wisteria, Texas wisteria

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun, Shade, Part-shade
Water: Moist

Trumpet creeper, Trumpet vine

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Light: Sun
Water: Moist, Dry

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