Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The ESLO has a direct impact on the citizens of Scottsdale as its key provisions determine
the location and design of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development
in two-thirds of the City. Application of the ESLO has resulted in the preservation of over
9000 acres of Sonoran Desert open space while protecting citizens from potential flooding,
erosion, and visual blight (see also Chapters 10 and 13).
ESLO is not intended to deny the reasonable use of the land, but rather guide its use in
ways that are sustainable and recognize the unique features this setting provides. ESLO
encourages development that blends into and respects the character of the natural desert
setting as follows: 20
1. Streets should be kept to a minimum on steeper slopes and should be designed to
avoid unnecessary exposed cuts and fills.
2. Grading and construction should be kept within clearly identified building
envelopes so that NAOS areas are not damaged.
3. Development should not intrude on or damage boulder features or major boulders.
4. Washes should be left in their natural state wherever this is feasible. If it is
necessary and appropriate to modify a natural watercourse, the modifications
should be minimal and the watercourse should be restored to a natural condition.
5. Allowable building height is measured from the natural grade, which encourages
buildings to follow the form of the natural topography.
6. Discourage the use of subdivision perimeter walls.
7. Rear and side walls on larger lots are required to be set back from the property
lines to allow for wildlife movement and stormwater flow.
8. Walls are not allowed to cross watercourses.
9. Use restrained site lighting, which do not spill glare onto adjacent properties.
10. Limit use of nonnative plants to enclosed yard areas (enclosed by a solid wall);
nonnative plants with the potential of reaching over 20 ft in height are not allowed.
The NAOS required by ESLO can be either natural desert that has been undisturbed by
development activity or previous developed areas that has been restored to the desert
terrain and vegetation of its natural condition. The amount of NAOS required to be set
aside with each development is based upon two factors—the landform area and land
slopes. The NAOS requirement increases from the lower desert to the hillside landform
areas and from land slopes under 2% to those over 25% (Table 28.1). The NAOS requirement
ranges from a low of 15%-20% to a high of 80% of the total property area.
28.4.6 Native Plant Protection
Native vegetation plays a vital role in the dynamic system of the Sonoran Desert. Its
presence helps to prevent erosion, provides food and shelter for desert wildlife, and acts
to shade the desert floor and minimize the urban heat island effect. In addition, native
vegetation requires less water and maintenance than nonindigenous plant materials. In
most cases, salvaging existing plant material is more economical and achieves a natural
desert appearance in a shorter amount of time.
Scottsdale adopted the Native Plant Ordinance as a way to preserve the unique native
character of the Sonoran Desert under a system of responsible community development. 21
Many desert trees and cacti are slow growing and can take decades to reach maturity.
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