18.57.055 Landscape Point Values | Moses Lake Municipal Code

18.57.055 Landscape Point Values:

A. Applicant may use any combination of planting materials to meet the requirements of this section. Points are assigned based on the following table and can be decreased using subsection G and I:

		Minimum Size (at time of planting)
Type of Plant Material	Mature Height	Deciduous Trees (in caliper inches)	Evergreen Trees (in feet of height)	Point Value
Large Tree	60 ft	8-inch or greater	22 ft and over	115
	>60 ft	7-inch	19 - 21ft.	100
	>60 ft	6-inch	16 -18 ft.	90
	>60 ft	5-inch	13 -15 ft.	80
	>60 ft	4-inch	11-12 ft.	65
	>60 ft	3-inch	9 -10 ft.	55
	>60 ft	2-inch	7 - 8 ft	35
Medium Tree	25 ft to 60 ft	3-inch	7-8 ft	40
Medium Tree	25 ft to 60 ft	2 -inch	7 - 8 ft	30
Medium Tree	25 ft to 60 ft	1.5 -inch	5-6 ft	20
Small Tree	less than 25 ft	Single Trunk 1.5 inch caliper	5 - 6 ft	15
Ornamental Tree	varies	Multiple trunk (minimum 3 trunks): smallest trunk 1.5 inch caliper	5 - 6 ft	10
Large Shrub	>6 ft	24 -inch height at planting		9
Medium Shrub	3 ft to 6 ft	12-inch height at planting		6
Small Shrub	less than 3 ft	8 - inch height at planting		4
Ornamental Grasses	varies	1 gallon		same as shrub of same mature height
Groundcover	less than 1 ft, excluding flowers on tall stalks	1 gallon		½
Existing Trees	varies	Greater than 3" caliper		10 pts + 10 pts/inch of caliper
Landscaped Berm		30" height; 10-foot length; 3:1 slope		1 per 5 lineal feet
Turf Grass	n/a	n/a		1/4 per square yard
Sculpture or Basalt Columns *may not be substituted for trees		2' minimum height		15 pts + 15 pts for each additional 2' height

Note: Points will be based on the size of the mature tree or shrub. For example, a small species of shrub in a three (3) gallon pot at the time of planting will not be given points as a medium shrub, it remains a small shrub. The Community Development Department will maintain a list of commonly-planted species and the size per the above chart. For species not included in the list, mature height shall be as shown in a standard published source. Where a range of sizes is given in the source, points for the larger size may be claimed, provided the correct minimum size is planted for the points claimed.

B. An additional ten percent (10%) in the number of points shall be required adjacent to the following aesthetic corridors:

1. West Broadway from I-90 to its intersection with Division Street

2. East Broadway from its intersection with Division Street to where it joins with Pioneer Way

3. Pioneer Way from where it joins with East Broadway to its intersection with Highway 17

C. Points for required buffers shall be in addition to the Parking Lot Points required in this section.

D. A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of required landscape points may be claimed within street right-of-way.

E. A minimum of sixty percent (60%) of points shall be used for landscaping in the front and side yards.

F. A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of required points may be used for turf grass. Turf grass within street right-of-way does not earn any points.

G. Drought Tolerant Landscaping. Landscaping areas that meet the criteria listed below may have the points required for that area reduced by thirty percent (30%). To qualify as drought tolerant, the following must be incorporated:

1. An approved drip irrigation system

2. Low volume - low pressure - low flow distribution

3. Drought tolerant plant selection

4. Use of mulches, which can include decorative rock

H. Native and Naturalized Plant Species. New landscaping materials shall include species native to Eastern Washington or hardy, waterwise, and noninvasive species appropriate in the climatic conditions of Eastern Washington (decorative annuals are an exception). Washington State University maintains a list of trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, perennials, grasses, bulbs, and annuals that are appropriate for Eastern Washington. (Link: http://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/wcl/). The selections of plant species should include consideration of soil type and depth, the amount of maintenance required, spacing, exposure to sun and wind, the slope and contours of the site, compatibility with existing native vegetation preserved on the site, water conservation where needed, and the impact of landscaping on visibility of the site for purposes of public safety and surveillance.

I. Alternative Water Source. Projects irrigated from sources other than City water may have the points required for that area reduced by thirty percent (30%). (Ord. 2785, 10/13/15; Ord. 2647, 4/10/12; Ord. 2550, 2/9/10; Ord. 2534, 11/10/09)