1. General

a. Sandia Heights is based on an open space concept where the natural landscaping is of great importance. The deed restrictions for the area require that the natural vegetation be left undisturbed where possible and replenished after construction is finished.

b. Landscaping of new home construction must be completed by the end of the next complete growing season following substantial completion of construction. Plans for landscaping of new or existing homes must be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the ACC prior to the start of landscaping.

c. Care should be taken to protect all native existing plants and to maintain the natural character of the landscape.

d. Landscaping shall minimize visual encroachment on open space and the streetscape. Low height of plants and trees that blend with their surroundings tend to achieve these goals.

e. Residents are asked to keep their properties clear of dead trees/vegetation. Chamisa and other vegetation can be a safety hazard when it blocks views along roads or creates a fire hazard.

2. Sizing

a. Landscaped areas should be immediately adjacent to the residence, detached buildings, walkways, or driveways on the property. The total area landscaped (excluding natural landscaping) on the property shall occupy a minimal portion of the post-construction-open-area of the lot. As a maximum, it shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the combined total ground floor heated living areas of the residence. Swimming pools and garages, whether heated or not, will not be included in the calculation of heated living areas. Landscaped areas that extend from the house or other buildings at all points less than one half the average of the overall length and width of the house or building are considered to be adjacent those structures. Similar proportions relative to the size of walkways and driveways shall define their adjacent areas.

b. Landscaping elements (such as boulders and planters) that do not interfere with the visual continuity of the land and vegetation (trees, shrubs, etc.) are allowed in setback areas if they are placed immediately adjacent to buildings, walkways or driveways.

c. Lawn areas must be less than 500 square feet.

3. Features

a. The use of gravel, rock, crushed or decomposed granite, or similar materials for landscaping purposes should be kept to a minimum so as to preserve the natural look of the area.

b. Water features shall not exceed six feet (6) in height. They should be located in areas that are generally only visible by the homeowner. Location and size should also take into account the noise factor. The sound of a waterfall may be pleasing to some, but annoying to others.

4. View Considerations

a. It is recognized that trees and bushes that are higher in elevation than those of their neighbors are potentially more intrusive. Trees and bushes that are unnecessarily intrusive or obstructive of the views of neighbors are strongly discouraged and subject to disapproval. In general, trees, when mature, should not be planted that will grow higher than the roofline or 25 feet, whichever is greater.

b. Trees and shrubs cannot be grouped to form a view-obstructing screen; however, such screening is appropriate to obscure items like air conditioners, pool filters, and other such mechanical devices. Three or more trees are considered to constitute a screen if planted so as to form a straight or curved line and close enough together so that at maturity their branches will touch or intertwine.

5. Plant Selection

a. The selection of plants should strive to minimize water use, increase the habitat available for wildlife and produce less pollen than an unplanned landscape with a similar quantity of plant material.

b. Bermuda grass is not allowed because of its invasive characteristics.

c. Plant selection and landscaping native to the area are preferred. Appendix A (Water Wise Plant Guide) provides information that may be helpful in selecting plants.

d. The following tree species are approved for use but must be approved in writing by the ACC as part of a landscaping application before they are planted.

Deciduous shade and specialty trees:

Reywood Ash, fraximus oxycarpa

Umbrella Catalpa, catalpa bignonioides nana

Chinaberry, melia azedarach

California Buckeye, aesculus californica

Jujube (Chinese Jujube), zizyphus jujube

New Mexico Locust, robinia neomexicana

Bigtooth Maple, acer grandidentatum

Japanese Maple, acer palmatum

Mountain Ash, sorbus aucuparia

Paper Mulberry, broussonetia papyrifera

Gambel Oak, quercus gambelii

Silk Tree, albizia julibrissin

Corkscrew Willow, salix matsudana tortuosa

Flowering ornamental trees:

Apricot, prunus armeniaca

Flowering Crab, malus hopa et al

Mexican Elder, sambucus caerulea neomexicana

Hawthorne, crataegus spp.

Flowering Peach, prunus persica

Purpleleaf Plum, prunus cerasifera

Golden Rain Tree, koelreuteria paniculata

Eastern Redbud (Judas Tree), cercis canadensis

Smoke Tree, cotinus coggygria

Vitex (Chaste Tree), vitex agnus-castus

Evergreen trees:

Chinese Juniper, juniperus chinensis

Single Seed Juniper, juniperus monosperma

Utah Juniper, juniperus osteosperma

Leland False Cypress, cupressocyparis leylandii

Texas Madrone, arbutus texana

Black Hills Spruce, picea glauca densata

Joshua Tree, yucca brevifolia

Palm Yucca, yucca torreyi

Soaptree Yucca, yucca elata

The following plants, while able to grow in Sandia Heights, are not allowed because of their inappropriate biological or visual characteristics:

Cotton-bearing Cottonwood,

Russian Olive, laeagnus angustifolia

Salt Cedar, (tamarisk, tamarack), tamarix chinensis, tamarix pentandra

Siberian Elm, ulimus pumila

Box Elder Willow, acer negundo

Tree of Heaven, ailanthus altissima

Silver Maple, acer saccharinum

Lombardy Poplar, populus nigra

Ponderosa Pine, pinus ponderosa

Fruitless (White) Mulberry, morus alba