A. For the purposes of this article, landscaping elements are all exterior enhancements of a project including, but not be limited to: deciduous trees (shade and ornamental), evergreen trees, sidewalks, paths, site furniture, trellis, fences, walls, sound walls, shrubs, flowering plants, vines, pots, vases, window boxes, raised planters, and grade work such as berms, grassy swales, and water retention features.
B. Existing trees, native vegetation, and rare plants shall be retained wherever possible.
1. Existing native vegetation may be accepted in lieu of new plantings, provided they contribute to achieving the intent of this article.
2. To control erosion and soil loss, the existing vegetation shall only be removed from the current phase of the project.
C. Landscaped areas shall incorporate a hierarchy of plantings from ground covers to shrubs to trees. Shrub areas shall incorporate a vegetative ground cover wherever possible. If the site configuration or plant type prohibits the use of a ground cover in conjunction with the shrubs, bark or other mulch shall be provided.
D. The landscape plan shall include plant materials that provide seasonal color during the spring, summer, and fall.
E. Within an area of city impact, expanses of walls or solid fences that are greater than one hundred feet (100') along a roadway shall be interrupted with offsets and provided with accents to prevent monotony.
1. For the purposes of this standard, accents shall include, but not be limited to, other landscape elements as listed in subsection A of this section.
2. Offsets shall be designed with pedestrian safety in mind, such as small alcoves with angled sides that provide full visibility.
F. All landscaping shall be designed to consider the microclimate of the site and surrounding properties by addressing sun, shade, and wind for increased energy efficiency.
1. Deciduous trees shall be the preferred method of providing shade in parking lots and around structures.
2. Evergreen trees shall be limited to windbreaks, screening, and accent purposes.
3. If unenclosed air conditioning systems are located on the west or south side of a structure, trees shall be planted so that, at maturity, they shade the unit during the months of July, August, and September.
4. Trees shall be planted so that, at maturity, they shade fifty percent (50%) of ground floor window surfaces on the west and south sides of each structure during the months of July, August, and September.
G. Landscaping elements shall not violate the clear vision triangle requirements at a street intersection as defined in section 8-1A-1 of this title.
H. If the subject property is within a flood hazard overlay district, the applicant shall propose a landscaping and screening plan that meets the intent of the above standards and complies with the standards of the flood hazard overlay district.
I. Installation of required landscaping shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
1. All plant materials shall be planted according to industry standards, using acceptable topsoil and automatically controlled permanent irrigation systems.
2. All proposed plant material shall be in accord with the American Association of Nurserymen standards in terms of size, character, and quality.
3. Trees planted within a sidewalk or other pedestrian traffic areas shall be installed with protective tree grates with expandable centers. The minimum size opening within the sidewalk shall be four feet by eight feet (4' x 8').
4. The following minimum plant sizes shall be required:
Landscape Element (Plants)
| Minimum Size At Planting
|
Shade tree | 2 inch caliper |
Ornamental tree | 2 inch caliper |
Evergreen tree | 7.5 feet in height |
Shrub | 5 gallon container |
Parking lot shrub | 5 gallon container |
Perennial or ornamental grass | 1 gallon container |
Note: Caliper shall refer to the trunk diameter as measured 6 inches above ground level. | |
5. All landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent and automated underground irrigation system of such design and capacity to satisfactorily serve the landscaped areas.
J. Maintenance and replacement of required landscaping and screening shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
1. All plant materials shall be pruned, trimmed, watered, and otherwise maintained to create an attractive appearance and a healthy growing condition. No trees shall be severely pruned or topped.
2. Dead, diseased, stolen, or vandalized plant materials shall be replaced by the next planting season.
3. Property owners shall keep landscaped areas free of weeds and trash.
4. Stolen, vandalized, or otherwise damaged fences and/or walls shall be replaced immediately. Fences and/or walls shall be maintained to create an attractive appearance.
K. The director may approve, or recommend approval of, alternative landscaping and screening standards, as set forth in this article, when the following findings can be made:
1. The overall design, as proposed by the applicant, meets or exceeds the intent and the requirements of this article;
2. The existing conditions on or adjacent to the site including, but not limited to, differences in elevation, existing vegetation, or the location of existing structures or utilities would render application of the requirements of this article ineffective; and
3. The overall design shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare. (Ord. 389, 6-14-2000; amd. Ord. 426, 9-26-2001)