The Front Yard Zone includes all planting between the street curb and the house, including the side of the house to the fence return.  Sides of porches must be landscape – sod may not abutt any portion of a front porch.

 

Front yard landscaping shall be comparable in quality and materials to other front yards on that block.

 

The front yard landscape is the responsibility of the builder/homeowner and implementation shall be complete within three months of occupancy.  Time extensions for installation of plant material can be granted by the ARB during summer months when plants would have a higher mortality rate.

 

The homeowner is responsible for maintenance.

 

Coordination between homeowners/landscape architects in locating large trees and shrubs near property lines is encouraged in order to avoid conflicts.

 

A variety of plants and textures should be used to create visual interest, yet simple, clean designs are preferred.

 

A narrow bed of river rock should be used along the house foundation wall, if gutters are not installed, to absorb rain runoff from the roof and to avoid mulch against the foundation.

 

It is recommended that beds be 4 ft. in width, ten inches (10″) to twelve inches (12″) in height, and have soil amendments of 50% topsoil and 50% humus.  Landscape beds should not be mounded so high that shrubbery rises above finish floor elevation.

 

In the Terre Sainte Village and Estates Neighborhoods, a four (4) foot wide street sidewalk along the front property line is required after home construction in compliance with any requirements and standards set forth by the City of Lake Charles, and the ARB.  Sidewalks must be four (4) inches thick concrete reinforced with welded wire mesh 6” x 6” – 10 x 10 gauge.

 

A minimum four (4) foot wide front entry walk from street sidewalk or driveway to front door of residence is required after home construction.

 

Suitable screening, such as garden structures and / or vegetation, shall be provided for garbage and trash containers, and other unsightly areas visible from a street or public area.  The height, when installed, shall not be less than the height of the items being screened.

 

Apply 3” hardwood mulch or pine straw to planting beds.  Synthetic and/or brightly colored top mulch is not allowed.

 

In the Terre Sainte Village and Estates Neighborhoods, one Cathedral or Live Oak a minimum of 4″ in caliper as measured 12 inches above the ground shall be planted in the 8 foot wide green space between the street curb and the street sidewalk.  The location of the tree shall be approved by the Architectural Review Board before installation.

 

Palm trees are not allowed.

 

All non-paved areas are to be planted with grass, groundcover, or other plantings

The design of side yard landscaping at corner lots shall be considered in a similar way to front yard design.

 

The side yard landscape is the responsibility of the builder/homeowner and implementation shall be completed within three months of occupancy.  Time extensions for installation of plant material can be granted by the ARB during summer months when plants would have a higher mortality rate.

 

The homeowner is responsible for maintenance.

 

The following design intent shall be considered when designing for the Side Yard Zone:

 

Suitable screening, such as garden structures and / or vegetation, shall be provided for utilities and other unsightly areas visible from a street or public area.

 

Screen private areas from exterior views.

 

Provide for a yard work area (trash can/recycle bin storage).

 

Provide pathways for circulation.

 

Provide access to utility meters and vents.

 

Palm trees are not allowed.

 

All non-paved areas are to be planted with grass, groundcover, or other plantings.

The Rear Yard Zone includes the area behind the house.

 

The rear yard landscape is the responsibility of the builder/homeowner.

 

The homeowner is responsible for maintenance.

 

Palm trees are not allowed.

 

All non-paved areas are to be planted with grass, groundcover, or other plantings.

 

Terre Sainte Park Neighborhood lots and Terre Sainte Estates Neighborhood lots that have rear access must consider the area at the rear of the lot between the street and fence/building face when designing landscaping.

The Alley Zone includes the area between the alley access pavement and the property line, as well as any utility easement from the rear property line inward.

 

The builder is responsible for the design and implementation of the landscape area in the alley right-of-way.

 

The homeowner is responsible for design and implementation of the landscape in the rear yard and utility easement within the Alley Zone and for maintenance within all of the Alley Zone.

 

Only groundcover and turf plant materials are allowed in the right-of-way of the Alley Zone.

 

Impervious hardscape and other types of hardscape paving materials other than driveways are prohibited in the Alley Zone. The use of grass-pave systems and fiber-reinforced soils is acceptable.

 

Trees are not allowed in the alley right-of-way or rear utility easement.

The use of sod to quickly establish a vigorous turf and help control erosion is encouraged.  Turf establishment utilizing a Hydromulch process is allowed.

 

Hydromulch applications must be performed in accordance with the mulch manufacturer’s specifications and applied to a prepared seedbed free of debris.  The seedbed and applied products shall be maintained throughout the turf establishment period.  Any washouts, ruts or other imperfections in the seedbed shall be corrected immediately and new Hydromulch applied.

 

Only Bermuda or Zoysia grass may be installed at the Park Neighborhood lots.

Irrigation systems are recommended but not required.

 

The use of a smart controller is encouraged. Control systems should provide the ability to be programmed to accommodate multiple start times and programs.

Decorative architectural concrete is encouraged in lieu of standard broom finished concrete.

 

Use of pervious concrete, which allows water to flow through the pavement to minimize stormwater runoff is encouraged for driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, and courtyards.

 

Precast concrete pavers, brick pavers, natural stone veneer, and cultured stone veneer are encouraged in lieu of concrete surfaces.

Landscape maintenance is required for all properties within Terre Sainte.  Landscape maintenance ensures a consistent aesthetic throughout the community, and also reduces the likelihood of plant material failure during storm and wind events.  Communities with well cared for landscapes tend to have higher property values and lower crime rates.

 

The property owner shall maintain in perpetuity all plants and landscape elements set forth in the approved landscape plan for the property.  Changes as a result of property/building modifications shall first be reviewed for approval by the ARB.

Due to the proximity of Terre Sainte to Contraband Bayou and adjacent water bodies, it is important to understand that no matter where you live, the surface water that leaves your landscape as runoff (either due to rain or over-watering), together with any fertilizers or pesticides in that runoff, will eventually drain into a water body.  The contributing drainage area is called a watershed.  Prevent grass clippings from washing into the water body, as their high nutrient content can cause pollution.

 

The land along the water’s edge is called the riparian zone and is often filled with wetland plant species. Shoreline vegetation attracts native wildlife and reduces erosion.  Wetlands play a critical role in reducing flood damage by storing storm water when it surges and releasing it slowly over time. Wetlands keep water clean by acting as filters for pollutants, silt, and sediment. Fish, birds, and wildlife depend upon wetlands for food, nesting grounds, migratory stops, and shelter.

 

In areas where built structures such as seawalls and bulkheads are necessary, look for ways to encourage native vegetation in and along them.

In no case shall grass clippings or vegetative debris be intentionally or inadvertently washed, swept, or blown into stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, water bodies, wetlands, or paved surfaces.  Yard wastes shall not be disposed of or stored by water’s edge, in ditches or swales, or near storm drains.

 

Yard wastes release nutrients as they decompose which pollutes the receiving water body.  Improper disposal of yard wastes can also contribute to flooding by causing stormwater runoff to backup in drainage systems.  In addition, improper disposal may lead to spreading of invasive plants to new areas.  Remove pet wastes deposited in the landscape, as they contain excess nutrients and many harmful bacteria.

 

Shredded yard clippings and leaves should be used for mulch or composted for use as fertilizer. Diseased material should not be mulched and should be properly disposed of to avoid spreading disease.  Composting of yard wastes provides many benefits and is strongly encouraged.  The resulting materials are excellent soil amendments and conditioners.

 

Grass clippings are a benefit to lawns, replacing nutrients drawn from the soil and acting as mulch that helps retain moisture, lessening the need to irrigate.  Grass clippings should be left on your lawn.  Mulching mowers are recommended, because the grass clippings are chopped finely by special blade and shroud configurations.