The purpose of this Chapter is to establish minimum requirements for the landscaping and screening needed to increase compatibility between different intensities of land use, to provide visual relief from the barren expanse of paved parking lots, to screen undesirable views that have a blighting impact on surrounding properties, and to provide a visual separation and physical buffer between incompatible abutting land uses. It is the intent of these requirements to encourage the retention of existing vegetation including significant trees to the extent feasible and to require replacement if significant existing trees are removed; to reduce erosion and storm water runoff; to preserve and promote urban wildlife habitats; to minimize the impacts of noise, light and glare; to aid in regulating vehicular circulation; and to make the city a more aesthetically pleasing place to live, shop, and work. In all cases, low water use landscaping is preferred over that which demands more significant amounts of irrigation. (Ord. 03-33 §16, 2003; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).