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CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
JANUARY 2026
David Volz Design
151 Kalmus Dr, Suite M8
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CITY-WIDE LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
METHODOLOGY
MAPS AND DATA
SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
APPENDIX
1.0 CITY-WIDE LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
Diamond Bar conducted a study to assess its landscape areas for potential consideration in utilizing Recovered Organics Waste Products (ROWP) to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1383 CalRecycle
regulations procurement targets and other State regulations.
An assessment was conducted to identify, catalogue, and determine appropriate sites and the potential suitability for the use of mulch and organic compost. Through on-site verification
and aerial photography, areas were categorized, evaluated for suitable materials and potential material volumes, and assessed for maintenance recommendations and probable costs.
For this purpose, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database was created and configured to store information for the City’s use and for the use in web applications to enhance access
to information . As part of this study, the City’s Special District boundaries and maintenance areas were updated to better support planning.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
The City of Diamond Bar partnered with David Volz Design (DVD) to conduct this landscape assessment. The GIS professionals at DVD evaluated and mapped the City’s potentially suitable
sites. Working closely with the City’s engineering and maintenance teams, sites were accurately captured, catalogued, and
evaluated for suitability. Landscape type, area (sq ft), volume calculations, maintenance frequency, and potential costs were populated in the GIS.
3.0 MAPS AND DATA
A Landscape Area Details feature class was created for this study. Landscape areas, medians, parkways, parks, and open spaces were identified and captured appropriately in GIS for this
assessment.
Special District areas throughout the City and relevant information were also updated as part of this study. The boundaries and maintenance areas of Special Districts 38, 39, and 41
were updated to improve accuracy.
4.0 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
Based on input and feedback from the City and the DVD team, appropriate materials were selected for eligible sites, with consideration of annual maintenance needs. Volume calculations
were performed to quantify potential impacts, and probable cost estimates for each site were prepared as recommended by a reputable landscape contractor.
5. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Over 300 sites were evaluated throughout the City in this study. Of the assessed areas, 224 were identified as suitable for the potential distribution of mulch or organic compost. Slopes
and other factors were considered when determining site suitability. Little League Park is the City’s largest underutilized flat area, making it ideal for material distribution and
the site has significant potential as a staging area for mulch and organic compost.
170 out of the 224 sites were identified as being suitable for organic compost. These areas include parkways, parks, and select areas along trails. In the unlikely event that all areas
identified as suitable in the study were fully utilized, approximately 7,000 cubic yards of organic compost could be spread in the first year. In subsequent years, an estimated 2,300
to 4,600 cubic yards could be
added, based on a recommended annual assessment of decomposition and site needs.
54 out of the 224 sites were determined to be suitable for mulch. These areas primarily include medians, planting areas, and open space. In the unlikely event that all areas identified
as suitable in the study were fully utilized, approximately 6,150 cubic yards of mulch could be spread in the first year. In subsequent years, approximately 2,050 to 4,100 cubic yards
could be added annually, based on a recommended annual assessment of decomposition and site needs.
In total, the areas of sites determined to be suitable for potential amendments amount to approximately 13,000 cubic yards of materials in the first year. Annually, or as needed as determined
by a recommended annual assessment, between 4,300 and 8,600 could potentially be used to replenish decomposed or deteriorating materials.
CONSIDERATIONS
Further study is needed to determine actual costs, which depend on several factors. Certain sites may require Traffic Control Plans, traffic control, and spreading and hauling costs
can vary widely depending on location and required effort.
The following can be used when evaluating sites for amendments and includes Cost, Profit, and Overhead:
Traffic Control Plans will be $1250 every 2500 linear feet of roadway
Traffic control materials and labor will be $3500 day based on jurisdiction
Based on median work, contractor may be able to gather 100 CY a day
Equipment, operator, and labor will be $150 CY to generate the material
Hauling will be $200 an hour based on 20 CY loads End Dumps or Truck/Transfers
Hauling will be $350 an hour based on 10 loads or Super 10s
Spreading on site $150 CY to spread the material depending on location
The City has an ideal staging area for materials at the Pony Little League fields off Sunset Crossing Rd. For this area, irrigation modifications would be needed for stockpiling materials.
Further study is needed to accurately determine irrigation modification requirements and potential costs. As a rule of thumb, irrigation modification costs are estimated at ~$4-6 per
linear foot.
6.0 APPENDIX
City of Diamond Bar Special Districts Dashboard
https://dvdgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8a1e250b55a54f528ec28a7081b5a08a
City of Diamond Bar Public Facing Special Districts Dashboard
https://dvdgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8e48aeb5ae764de88668e040b68c026d