Prospect New Town

Prospect Landscape Regulations

Prospect Landscape Regulations

PROSPECT DESIGN CODE: LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
PROSPECT ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
April 2, 2001

• INTRODUCTION
  These guidelines are provided to Prospect Homeowners as a guide to help in producing a Landscape Plan that both meets with the requirements of the Prospect Architectural Committee (PAC) and is consistent with the character and philosophy of Prospect New Town.
  
  The central ideas of "New Urbanism" dictate that the landscaping shall have an urban character. Characteristics of this landscaping include:
• Use of plantings and structures that make accommodations for interaction between residents, pedestrians and visitors in areas adjacent to public spaces.
• Use of plantings and structures that make accommodations for residents' privacy in appropriate areas.?·
• Encouragement of variety and individual expression.
• Use of indigenous plants and materials.
• High-density building and small lots.
• 
  Homeowners are encouraged to familiarize themselves with New Urbanism. Please see Section IV, RESOURCES, for a bibliography of books available on the subject.




• PROCEDURES
• LANDSCAPE DEPOSIT
  Homeowners who close on newly constructed homes on or after December 1, 2000 have one year from date of closing to substantially complete landscaping based on an approved Landscape Plan and final review and approval by the PAC. Homeowners will be assessed a fee of $1000 to be held in escrow, on behalf of the PAC, by the Prospect Homeowners Association as a Landscape Deposit.
  
  Upon substantial completion of landscaping Homeowners may submit a request for a Deposit refund and arrange for a final review at a regularly scheduled meeting of the PAC (For PAC meeting dates, please see Paragraph D (SCHEDULE) of this Section below.
  
  Subject to final approval at the discretion of the PAC, Landscape Deposits will be refunded within 15 business days of said approval. In the event that a Homeowner fails to obtain an approved Landscape Plan and/or fails to complete landscaping to the satisfaction of the PAC within one year of the closing date, the PAC may elect to (a) withhold any or all of the Landscape Deposit for a specified period of time until satisfactory completion of the landscaping; (b) deduct any or all of the Landscape Deposit as a fine; and/or (c) use funds from the Deposit to effect satisfactory landscaping of the Homeowner's property.
  
  Additionally, Homeowners are advised to note that that their legal liability to complete satisfactory landscaping subject to PAC approval is not limited to the $1000 Deposit.



• SALE OF PROPERTY
  In the event of the sale of the property, the buyer agrees to the terms and conditions outlined in any approved Landscaping Plan pending at the time of the sale, including scheduled completion date and status of any pending Landscape Deposit. Any outstanding Deposits will be refunded to the current Homeowner as of the date of the approved refund. If desired, buyers may submit Change Applications to the PAC for approval. Please see Paragraph G (CHANGE APPLICATIONS) of this Section below.



• SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  Residents are required to have an approved Landscape Plan before proceeding with implementation. Please submit at least one month prior to the start of planned improvements. The Landscape Plan submission shall consist of:
• Two sets of scale drawings showing the Landscape Plan at 1/8" = 1'- 0" minimum scale. These plans must include:
• block and lot number
• street address
• owner's name and contact information
• north arrow
• property lines
• existing structures
• proposed or existing fences, walls and gates (dimension if proposed)
• all plant materials drawn, dimensioned and called out (ground cover, perennial border, shrubs, trees, etc.)
• all mulch materials drawn, dimensioned and called out
• all hardscape materials drawn, dimensioned and called out (parking pads, drives, walks, patios, edging, etc.)
• all structures drawn, dimensioned and called out (raised beds, ornamental fixtures or sculpture, pools and fountains, benches, arbors, decks, steps, carports, etc.)
  
  Note: It is not necessary to specify plant species in Landscape Plan submissions. Plantings may be generically labeled - "Perennial Border" or "Decorative Fruit Tree 12' - 15' max. ht.", for instance. Note that generic labels for trees and shrubs should include their height range at maturity.
  
• Two sets of drawings showing elevations of fences, garden walls and other structures at 1/4" = 1'-0" min. (or catalog cut sheets) detailing all conditions including front fences, side yard/back yard fences, height transitions, gate design(s), etc.
• Two sets of construction detail drawings at 1-1/2" = 1'-0" min. as necessary.
• Two sets of color chips or finish samples as appropriate.
• 
  Sample plans and elevations, and grid paper for use in scale drawings are available for use by residents. See Section IV, RESOURCES.
  
  Address submissions to:
  Landscape Committee
  c/o Randy Hoffman
  1060 Katy Lane
  Longmont, CO 80504
  303 772-2258




• SCHEDULE
  Landscaping Plans should be submitted to the PAC as soon as possible after closing. Landscaping itself must be implemented, substantially completed, and have received final approval by the PAC within one year of closing.
  
  Homeowners are required to install automatic sprinklers and sod in the front common area planting strip prior to or concurrent with yard landscaping. Advise contractors to run direct feeds along the sidewalk side of the planting strip with feeder lines branching off in the direction of the street. Feeder lines running along the center of the planting strip or along the street side of the planting strip are vulnerable to damage when the planting strip trees are planted and maintained.
  
  Homeowners should take note of seasonal requirements for planting and construction and make plans accordingly to allow for the one year completion date.
  
  Landscape plan submissions will be reviewed by the PAC on a bimonthly basis, on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The PAC will respond to submissions within 2 weeks of the scheduled review date.



• PHASED LANDSCAPING PLANS
  The PAC may in its discretion allow landscape plans to be phased over a period of time. When landscape plans are to be phased, all phases must provide for an acceptable level of finish for all exterior areas, and the initial phase must be completed within one year of closing. Subsequent phases must be completed during the time period imposed by the PAC.
  
  Note that subsequent phases will be subject to all regulations in effect at the time of implementation. Homeowners are therefore advised to understand current regulations before implementation of subsequent phases, even if previously approved, and submit Change Applications as necessary.



• VARIANCE PROCEDURES
  Variances to the Landscape Regulations may be granted on the basis of architectural/design merit.
  
  Requests for variances should be labeled as such in Landscape Plan submissions.



• CHANGE APPLICATIONS
  Substantial changes to landscaping require a Landscape Plan submission and are subject to the regulations in effect at the time of implementation.



• CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS
  Landscaping contractors are required to adhere to all rules of conduct outlined for contractors by the Prospect Homeowners Association. For details about these rules of conduct, contact the Builder Developer Homeowner Liaison, Ed Mahoney at 303 443-9344.



• SPECIFIC DESIGN FEATURES
• FENCES
  Residents are advised that fences and other permanent structures require a building permit from the City of Longmont. Obtain codes and permits by calling 303 651-8324.



• FRONT YARDS
  Neighboring lots shall have differing fence designs. Fence designs shall reflect or complement the architectural character of the buildings on the lot.
  
  Fencing materials and workmanship shall be of equal quality to exterior home finishes. Chain link fences are not permitted. Corral-style fencing is not permitted. Metal fences are not permitted except by variance.
  
  Picket Fences shall be 2-1/2' - 3' in height at the front yards. There shall be a 1/2" - 4" gap between pickets.
  
  Board Fences shall be 2-1/2' - 3' in height at the front yards. Board fences shall have a regular pattern of openings and/or shaped or capped fence tops at the front yards.
  
  Wood fences may have brick piers.
  
  Wood fences shall be painted, or stained to reflect or complement the architectural character of the buildings on the lot. Oiled teak fences are acceptable. Unfinished wood fences are not permitted. Front yard fence finish shall match side and back yard fence finish.



• SIDE AND BACK YARDS
  Board fences of 7' in height may be used in side or back yards.
  
  At interior side property lines, privacy fences shall transition in a minimum of two steps to the height of the picket fence at the setback line.
  
  Wood fences shall be painted, or stained to reflect or complement the architectural character of the buildings on the lot. Oiled teak fences are acceptable. Unfinished wood fences are not permitted. Side and back yard fence finish shall match front yard fence finish.



• GARDEN WALLS
  Residents are advised that walls and other permanent structures require a building permit from the City of Longmont. Obtain codes and permits by calling 303 651-8324.



• FRONT YARDS
  Garden walls shall be finished in stone, brick or stucco matching the principal building. Gates shall be wood or wrought iron, finished to match or complement the principal building. Garden walls shall have piers at their ends and corners. Garden walls shall be 2-1/2' - 3' in height at the front yards.



• SIDE AND BACK YARDS
  Garden walls of 7' in height may be used in side or back yards. At interior side property lines, walls shall transition in a minimum of two steps to the height of the front wall at the setback line. Front walls may transition to wood fences at the side and back yards.



• GATEWAYS, PERGOLAS, ARBORS, ETC.
  Residents are advised to determine if structures require a building permit from the City of Longmont. Obtain codes and permits by calling 303 651-8324.
  
  Design, materials and workmanship shall reflect the character of fences and garden walls on the lot.
  
  Wood elements shall be painted, or stained to reflect or complement the architectural character of the buildings on the lot. Unfinished wood structures are not permitted. Oiled teak structures are acceptable.

• SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS
  Sculptural elements such as birdbaths, fountains statues, etc. shall be limited to back yards in locations that are not visible from the street except by variance. Homeowners are encouraged to keep these features to appropriate scale.



• BOLLARDS
  Bollards shall reflect or complement the architectural character of the buildings on the lot.



• EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  Exterior light fixtures shall have incandescent bulbs and shall be directed down. Lights may not produce glare on adjacent properties or streets. Light fixtures with metal halide bulbs shall not be permitted.



• LANDSCAPE MATERIALS
  A minimum of 80% of front, side and back yard areas shall be landscaped with "soft" materials such as grass, shrubs, perennials and ground cover, etc. ("Hard" materials consist of gravel, garden mulch, concrete, pavers, etc.) Small townhome courtyards and small back yards may be exempt from these requirements.
  
  Large rocks or boulders are discouraged and shall be limited to back yards in locations that are not visible from the street.
  
  Gravel borders shall be 3/4" - 1" buff and gray washed rock. Large uninterrupted areas of gravel shall not be permitted.
  
  Garden mulch shall be Aspen humus mulch. Large uninterrupted areas of mulch shall not be permitted.
  
  Front yards shall have no vertical landscape elements which compete visually with trees in the planting strip.
  
  Pavers shall be Colorado Red or Colorado Buff sandstone or other neutral-colored stone, or fired brick. Cast or molded pavers and stamped concrete are discouraged and shall not be visible from the street.
  
  See Section IV (RESOURCES) for suppliers of landscape materials.



• RESOURCES
• BUILDING PERMITS AND CODES
  Contact the City of Longmont 303 651-8324.



• PLANS AND ELEVATIONS
  Sample plans and elevations, grid paper for drawing plans and elevations are available on request from the Landscape Committee.



• LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS AND CONTRACTORS
• Tree Farm Nursery, 11868 Mineral Road (Highway 52), 303 652-2961
• Marc Diemer, 303 651-6955 phone, 303 579-2264 mobile, marcdiemer@earthlink.net
• Michael Woods Gardens, 5687 Monarch Road, 303 516-1516
• Village Gardener, 1555 S. Hover Road, 303 774-4900



• NURSERIES AND LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES
• Tree Farm Nursery, 11868 Mineral Road (Highway 52), 303 652-2961
• Green Spot, Highway 287 at Prospect Road, 303 485-5373
• Village Gardener, 1555 S. Hover Road, 303 774-4900
• Rainbow Nursery, Highway 287, 1/2 mile south of Highway 52, 303 652-3878
• Flower Bin, 1805 Nelson Road, 303 772-3454



• WASHED RIVER ROCK: Samples are available from the PAC.
• Golden's, 21 South Sunset, Longmont, 303 776-1003
• Pioneer Sand, Highway 287 and Dillon Road, Broomfield, 303 465-4212



• ASPEN HUMUS MULCH: Samples are available from the PAC.
• For purposes of ordering mulch, assume:
• 1 yard covers approximately 150 square feet @ 2" deep
• 1 yard covers approximately 100 square feet @ 3" deep
• L&M Nursery (East of Berthoud), 970 532-3232, approximately $26/yard + $45 delivery



• COLORADO RED / COLORADO BUFF SANDSTONE PAVERS
• Loukonen Brothers Stone Yard, 12 miles north of Boulder on US 36, 303 823-668
• Lyons Stone Quarry, 5 miles north of Lyons on 5th Avenue, 303 857-4544
• Phillips Stone Quarry, East of Lyons on Highway 66, 303 823-6395



• FENCES, PERGOLAS, GAZEBOS, ARBORS, TRELLISES
• Walpole Woodworks Handcrafted Cedar, 508 668-2800



• FENCE CONTRACTORS
• Hanson's Excavating and Fencing, Jeff Hansen, 303 665-1842



• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• NEW URBANISM
• Seaside, by Steven Brooke, Pelican
• Towns and Townmaking Principles, by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Rizzoli
• The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community, by Peter Katz, McGraw Hill
• Seaside: Making a Town in America, by David Mahoney, Princeton Architectural Press



• FENCE DESIGN
• Articles and photographic references are available from the Landscape Committee.
• Building Fences, Sunset Publishing Corp.
• Building Fences & Gates, by Richard Freudenberger, Lark Books
• Fences, Gates & Trellises, Creative Homeowners Press
• Walpole Woodworks Handcrafted Cedar catalog, 508 668-2800



• LANDSCAPE DESIGN
• Landscaping for Small Spaces, Sunset Publishing Corp.



• These regulations are subject to periodic revisions. Homeowners are responsible for confirming that Landscape Plan submissions meet with the most current Landscape Regulations. Please address all questions and submissions to:
  
• Landscape Committee
  c/o Randy Hoffman
  1060 Katy Lane
  Longmont, CO 80504
  303 772-2258