Community Design Patterns: A Guidebook for Downtown Hilo, June 2010 (Draft)

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2.1.2 Landscaping Landscaping serves a variety of important functions and forms an essential feature of the building site or streetscape. Landscaping fosters human -scale development and a sense of vitality; provides screening for unsightly areas between adjacent land uses or between a land use and a roadway; reduces the "Heat- Island" effect of parking lots; promotes ecological and cultural values; and enhances the "Tropical Destination" branding of Hawai'i. Recommendations ,L • Landscaping along the front of Kamehameha Avenue .............................ti Sustainability Measures = Community Resiliency Earth - Friendly Parks & Natural Spaces a. Select native species when appropriate. b. When introducing new plant materials, select ground level plants that are compatible with the neighborhood character in terms of their location, function, size, scale, material and color. c. Use low- maintenance designs and irrigation systems and drought- resistant plants to minimize upkeep over time. d. Maintain existing landscaping. e. Although potted plants are attractive and add color to the streetscape, use them judiciously since they are fragile, difficult to maintain, and appear temporary. f. Use planters that have a durable maintenance -free finish resistant to rain and sun. g. Trim and maintain shrubs and hedges to less than 3 feet in height. O Avoid use of loose rocks. O Avoid alien species for landscaping. 2.1.3 Parking Lots and Structures The size, design, and location of parking lots and structures influence their visual appearance, safety for vehicles and pedestrians, and their impact on the surrounding environment. Parking Lots are paved surface areas. Parking Structures contain one or more stories of parking above grade. Community Design Patterns: A Guidebook for Downtown Hilo •June zoo DRAFT 3 1 Page