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Landscape Design <br /> Landscape Plan <br /> A landscape plan must be prepared as part of the <br /> comprehensive site development plan and presented with all <br /> development proposals . As a part of the landscape plan , a <br /> ite analysis must be undertaken which <br /> comprehensive s <br /> documents existing drainage patterns , including wetlands , <br /> floodplains , and hydric soils ; and existing natural and <br /> cultural features , including forest lands , natural areas , and <br /> wildlife habitats , steep slopes , geologic features , <br /> archaeological sites , and historic sites and structures . <br /> Plans must be prepared by a registered landscape architect <br /> and approved by the Planning & Inspections Department prior <br /> to the issuance of a building permit and commencement of any <br /> land clearing or development activity . Likewise , no site , <br /> building , or structure may be occupied for use until all <br /> aspects of the landscape plan have been carried out or a <br /> performance bond , a letter of credit or other guarantees of <br /> improvements has been provided to Orange County . <br /> Preservation of Existing Features <br /> Natural features such as streams and ponds , hillsides , rock <br /> formations , unique vegetation and natural areas , wildlife <br /> habitats , and other similar features must be considered <br /> strong design determinants and incorporated into the overall <br /> development concept . <br /> Stream corridors are to be created by retaining an <br /> undisturbed area 50 feet in width along both sides of <br /> perennial and intermittent streams as well as major drainage <br /> swales as shown on the Schematic Plans ( see Section 2 . 1 ) . <br /> Such corridors must be expanded as necessary to include steep <br /> slopes , floodplains , wetlands , and natural areas ( as <br /> identified in the Orange County Inventory of Natural Areas <br /> and Wildlife Habitats ) . No groundcover or trees within these <br /> designated open space areas shall be removed except in a <br /> manner consistent with an approved landscape plan . <br /> When developing a site , every effort must be made to site <br /> buildings , parking areas , and other uses to protect existing <br /> tree stock having a diameter of one foot or greater ( measured <br /> for and one half feet above ground level ) <br /> Buffering Neighboring Uses <br /> To create transitions between neighborhoods and areas of <br /> differing development intensities , and separate incompatible <br /> land uses , a buffer of 100 feet in width is to be provided at <br />