Open Space and Landscaping Requirements for the Office Business Park (OBP) District in Concord
The Office Business Park (OBP) district in Concord requires a minimum landscaped area of 20 percent of the site. Additionally, all new development in the OBP district must adhere to specific performance standards for site design and screening, and any landscaping must be designed to enhance site aesthetics and meet water efficiency standards.
Landscaping Requirements for the OBP District
The OBP district requires that a minimum of 20 percent of each site be landscaped [Section 18.165.050]. This requirement is supplemental to any additional landscaping required for parking lots [Section 18.165.050].
Landscaping Standards
All landscaping in the OBP district must be designed to integrate all elements of a project, including buildings and parking lots, to minimize water and energy demand while achieving aesthetic objectives [Section 18.165.070]. Compliance with the following standards is required:
- Design Principles: Landscaping must be in scale with on-site and adjacent buildings and avoid conflicts with views, lighting, and infrastructure [Section 18.165.070].
- Plant Materials: A mix of plant materials must be provided, with trees at a minimum 24-inch box size (except in hillside areas). Groundcover must achieve 100 percent coverage within two years [Section 18.165.070].
- Water Efficiency: All landscaping must comply with Chapter 18.170, which adopts the State Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance [Section 18.165.070].
- Maintenance: All landscaped areas must be permanently maintained in a healthy, thriving condition. This includes regular maintenance of irrigation systems, weeding, pruning, and replacement of dead or diseased plants [Section 18.165.080].
Parking Lot Landscaping
Parking areas in the OBP district must be landscaped to improve the appearance and function of the site [Section 18.165.060].
- Interior Landscaping: A minimum of 10 percent of the gross area of the parking lot must be landscaped, with shade trees planted to achieve 50 percent shading of the pavement within 10 years [Section 18.165.060].
- Perimeter Screening: Surface parking areas must be screened from the street and adjoining properties. For parking areas adjoining side or rear property lines, a perimeter landscaped strip at least five feet wide must be provided [Section 18.165.060].
Open Space Requirements
While the OBP district does not have a specific "open space" requirement for nonresidential uses, any common open space or recreational areas provided must be maintained in compliance with the general performance standards of the development code [Section 18.150.130, Section 18.520.030].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.150.130 (Performance standards)
- Section 18.165.050 (Landscape requirements)
- Section 18.165.060 (Parking lot landscaping)
- Section 18.165.070 (Landscape standards)
- Section 18.165.080 (Maintenance of landscape areas)
- Section 18.170.020 (State Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance adopted by reference)
- Section 18.520.030 (Property maintenance requirements)