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7 Attachment 1 TITLE 10. ZONING AND SITE DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 2.SITE DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE 8. LANDSCAPING Sec. 10-2.801.Purpose. The purposes of this article are to create the maximum compatibility of development with the natural environment; to preserve the rural qualities of the Town, to insure that structures, as viewed from off-site, blend harmoniously with the natural landscape and are unobtrusive; to maintain soil stability, to abate noises; to protect wildlife habitats; to retain aesthetic quality; and to protect properties against fire and other natural forces. (§ 15, Ord. 299,eff. December 11, 1985) Sec. 10-2.802.Landscaping policies (a) Erosion. Landscaping shall be required to control erosion, retard soil creep, and reduce the potential for landslides. (b) Noise. Landscaping and berms may be required to shield Town residents from unnatural noises, such as those from freeways, arterial streets, and nonresidential land uses. (c) Visual effects. Landscaping shall be required to mitigate the visual effects of development from off the site. (d) Preferred plants. Landscaping should utilize fire retardant species. Native or naturalized plants or other plant species that blend naturally with the landscape should generally be favored. (e) Maintenance. Landscaping shall be maintained in healthy condition by property owners and shall not intrude into easements, paths, or the lines-of-site required at intersections and along roads. (f) Tree preservation. Every feasible attempt should be made to preserve existing trees except those trees identified in the Los Altos Hills Landscape Guidelines invasive plant list. (g) All existing Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus globulus) shall be removed at the time of the construction of a principle residence or at the time of the construction of any structure, combination of structures, or additions to structures which individually or cumulatively equal or exceed nine hundred(900) square feet of floor area. (h) Views. In order to prevent blockage of scenic views and vistas, the height at maturity of proposed plants and trees shall be considered in determining the appropriateness of landscaping plans. (i) Amount required. The Town shall require only the minimum amount of landscaping necessary to implement the above policies. The amount of landscaping required by the Town shall be determined by the size of structure, the types of materials, and the colors proposed for structures. Structures that blend with the natural landscape will normally require less landscaping for screening purposes than will structures composed of non-natural materials and bright colors. Where slopes are too steep to support continuous ground cover, niches and ledges may be required for planting.Landscaping may be required for cuts and fills along public roads. (§ 15, Ord. 299,eff. December 11, 1985)