Here, you'll find information on the following topics:
- Reduction of Heat Island Effect
- Water Conservation
Notice
Remember that the modifications, changes or projects listed below or elsewhere on this site or document are not all-inclusive and that all exterior modifications must be approved before starting work. Even if your project or modification is not listed, approval must be given by the Design Review Committee.
Nothing in this document will be considered an official approval or denial for a design review application. No verbal decisions will be given; decisions are made by the Design Review Committee per the Board of Directors approved process. You will be sent an official letter with the final decision.
Please note that to be added to the Design Review Meeting agenda, your application must be completed as determined by staff and submitted at least one week before the meeting. During periods of high application volume, we cannot guarantee that a completed application will be placed on the next meeting agenda.
Sustainable Landscapes
Daybreak is committed to being a sustainable community by seeking a balance among social, economic and environmental conditions. Daybreak integrates sustainable landscape practices at the single-family-lot and multiunit development scale by reducing the urban heat island effect, conserving water, and reducing storm water runoff.
Reduction of Heat Island Effect
Daybreak was developed with wide park strips, green landscaping and lawns with intention. We recognize the need to use water wise planting and want to reduce “heat island effect”. An urban heat island (UHI) is an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. This can be due to large expanses of impervious surfaces and the corresponding reduction in vegetation that result in increased ambient temperatures – especially during the hot, arid Utah summers. Thoughtful design and implementation of the landscape can greatly reduce the heat island effect generated by buildings and paved surfaces including the installation of trees and vegetation.
Areas of unplanted rock, mulch or gravel in front yards or park strips are not allowed in Daybreak. With the above in mind, the landscape requirements for areas of rock, mulch, concrete, gravel etc. are as follows:
- The park strip must be planted with 80 - 100% coverage of approved plant material at maturity – see appendix for park strip flip criteria.
- Irrigation is required.
- Individual drip irrigation lines are required to each plant and tree.
- Evergreen foliage must be included for year-round interest.
- Bark mulch must be shredded, natural, neutral in material and dark brown or black in color and blend with surrounding landscaping.
- Dark brown or black shredded rubber mulch is approvable.
- Rock mulch must be decorative, natural, neutral, gray or beige/brown in color and blend with surrounding landscaping. Rock mulch must be no more than 1” to 2” in size. (no red, black or white rock allowed) – not allowed in front of home or in visible side yards.
- See Guidebook regarding requirements for sections of rock, mulch and concrete additions.
Water Conservation
The large number of attached and smaller detached homes lots have already contributed to water conservation in Daybreak. Most household water is used for yard irrigation. Through careful planning and design using water wise plant materials, the amount of water needed to support the landscape can be greatly reduced, resulting in resource conservation and cost savings.
- Use water wise plant material to reduce landscape water demand.
- Utilize water-efficient irrigation systems such as smart irrigation controller, low flow sprinkler heads and drip irrigation.
- Mulch planting beds to maintain soil moisture, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth and keep plant roots cool.
- Limit turf areas that require a lot of supplemental watering.
- Improve soil so that it can better absorb the water and encourage deeper roots.
Reduction of Storm Water Runoff
Permeable ground surfaces allow for the exchange of water and air, thus recharging the groundwater table and aerating the soil. To allow this process to happen most effectively, large expanses of paving should incorporate pervious materials and plant materials when possible.
- Evaluate the circulation pattern and impact of the site to reduce the total amount of impervious surfaces.
- Impervious paving should be utilized on only the heaviest trafficked areas.
- In areas of high circulation, utilize permeable surfaces such as pavers and flagstone.
- Pavers, crushed fines, or gravel may be used in areas of less intensive use.
- Employ a “Hollywood Drive,” sometimes also called a “tire tracks” driveway in which masonry paver units are utilized for where the tires of the to allow water to permeate through.