ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE PLAN
Mesa City Code § 11-33-7
in effect11-33-7: - ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE PLAN
An applicant who can demonstrate that the intent of this Chapter can be exceeded, in whole or in part, may submit an Alternative Landscape Plan (ALP) prepared in accordance with the following principles and design criteria. The ALP shall include a narrative that clearly details the modifications being requested and explains how they enhance the landscape design principles listed below.
A. Design Principles. In order to qualify for consideration, an ALP shall demonstrate compliance with at least 6 of the following principles:
1. Innovative Design. Innovative use of plant materials and design techniques in response to unique characteristics of the site.
2. Native Vegetation. Preservation or incorporation of existing native vegetation.
3. Plant Variety. Use of a variety of plant material, including plants of color, form, and texture, in excess of the minimum requirements.
4. Naturalistic Design. Incorporation of naturalistic design principles, such as variations in topography, meandering or curvilinear plantings, and grouping of dominant plant materials (trees, large shrubs) in a manner consistent with native vegetation. Bio-swales are encouraged adjacent to all paved areas.
5. Compatibility with Surrounding Uses. A greater degree of compatibility with surrounding uses than a standard landscape plan would offer. The number of trees required should depend on the type of tree planted, not some set number. There cannot be a trade off in the number of trees due to the size of the tree at initial planting because what is needed is the ultimate Screening.
6. Water Efficiency. Use of water-efficient irrigation systems, such as rain water harvesting that allows paved surfaces to drain to adjacent bio-swales and spread rain water more evenly throughout the site, and xeriscaping at appropriate locations.
7. Storm Water Management. Use of bio-swales with plant material and desert varnish clean storm water before it percolates into the ground.
8. Site-Specific Attributes. The design incorporates specific environmental attributes such as soil, hydrology, and vegetative communities unique to the site, and which are compatible with environmental features on adjacent properties. Additional design attributes may include incorporation of Landscaping selections for the consistency of the Streetscape in character areas.
9. Tree Substitution. Substitution resulting in fewer, larger, and more mature trees to replace the required numbers of smaller varieties when placed in perimeter areas at the inverse of the ratios stated in Table 11-33-3.A. (Example: One 60-inch box tree may substitute for four 15-gallon trees when approved by the Zoning Administrator through the use of an ALP.
10. Plant Viability and Longevity. The landscape plan takes into account the effect of plants on the surrounding activities over the lifetime of the land use, and attempts to promote the viability and long term maturation of plants. It does this by:
a. Accounting for microclimates and the specific context of the plant's location in choosing of plant varieties.
b. The use of advanced installation techniques, such a structured soils and Silva cells, to promote the permeability of air and water into the root zone of the plant, and to resist compaction of the soils.
c. Accounting for the effects that plants may have on a site as the plants mature into adult forms, providing shade while limiting potential restrictions on visibility of the site from adjacent Streets; including consideration of visibility of signs, vehicle traffic sight angles, and the type and context of the specific land use.
11. Overhead Utility Line Easements. For those portions of sites impacted by the presence of overhead utility lines, the landscape plan:
a. Uses plants from an approved list suggested by the Arizona Community Tree Council for placement near utility lines (a copy of which shall be kept on file in the Planning Division office), or
b. Makes other design considerations to meet the intent of the landscape requirements while reducing potential interference of mature plants limbs growing up into vertical space occupied by suspended utility cables.
B. Allowable Modifications. The following standards may be modified by an ALP:
1. General Requirements.
a. Allowed percentage of palm tree and saguaro substitution.
b. Ground treatment materials.
c. Irrigation type and coverage.
d. Landscape buffer along undeveloped edges.
e. Right-of-way Landscaping and plant types.
2. Perimeter Landscaping.
a. Minimum percent of vegetative ground coverage.
b. Minimum size of plant materials.
c. Substituting smaller trees with larger, more mature varieties.
3. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping.
a. Length and width of required landscape islands.
b. Size and number of plants on landscaped islands.
4. Foundation Base.
a. Width of foundation base.
b. Size of entry plaza area.
C. Review, Approval and Required Findings. An ALP shall be reviewed and evaluated as follows:
1. An application for an ALP may be submitted:
a. In conjunction with any request, including rezoning, Development Plan Review or modification, Council Use Permit, Special Use Permit, variance, or building permit applications.
b. As a separate application for Administrative Use Permit in accordance with Section 11-70-3, following approval of any processes mentioned in C.1.a, above.
2. An ALP may be approved upon finding that:
a. There are unique characteristics of the property, site design, or use that warrant special consideration to modify or deviate from the requirements of this Section and that these characteristics are not self-created.
b. The ALP meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of this section, while recognizing the unusual site design or use restraints on the property.
c. Approval of an ALP will provide for both increased consistency and compatibility with adjacent properties.
d. The ALP conforms to the allowable modifications listed in subsection B, above, and no exceptions to the limitations on the standards that may be modified are requested.
(Ord. No. 5996, § 4, 3-9-26)
Source: City of Mesa, Arizona, Mesa City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11ZOOR_ART4DERE_CH33LA_11-33-7ALLAPLFetched: 11/1/2026