(A) Property frontage less than 50 feet wide. Business zoned properties with less than 50 feet of street frontage, and/or which are less than 10,000 net square feet in size, shall be exempt from the landscape standards unless required to be landscaped and screened as part of an approved Planned Development rezoning, CUP or AUP. The Director or designee may require, however, that minimal landscape and screening improvements (e.g., planters, foundation shrubbery, and parking lot shading) be installed prior to occupancy.
(B) B-2 (Old West) and B-3 (City Center) zoned districts. Property located within the B-2 (Old West) and the B-3 (City Center) zoned district shall be subject to the following unique landscape requirements:
(1) Transition buffer. Business zoned properties adjacent to residentially zoned lots/parcels are encouraged to provide a landscape buffer/screen wall between their business site and the residential site.
(2) Parking lot buffer. A landscape buffer between the parking lot area and public road right-of-way is encouraged.
(3) Parking lot landscaping. Properties with greater than 20 parking stalls shall comply with Vol. II, § 1-8-6(D).
(4) Desert plants. All trees and plant material shall be compatible with the desert environment, be water-efficient and shall conform to the current recommended low water using plant list of the Arizona Department of Water Resources Phoenix Active Management Area, or alternative city approved materials that are drought-resistant.
(5) Installation and surety. Required landscaping shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or final inspection, as applicable. A site inspection must be conducted by the Planning Division to verify proper installation. It is the owner's (or owner's representative's) responsibility to arrange an inspection appointment with the Planning Division. A surety bond, cash deposit or assured letter of credit in an amount to guarantee the installation of the landscaping within 6 months from the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy or final inspection may be permitted by the Development Services Director or designee in lieu of immediate installation of plant materials. The allowable installation period will not be extended more than 6 months from the date of the certificate of occupancy or final inspection.
(6) Landscape maintenance. All landscaping shall be reasonably maintained and any dead plant material shall be immediately replaced by the property owner. Maintenance shall include but not be limited to removal of debris, pruning, trimming, watering or other requirements to create an attractive appearance for the development. Maintenance must ensure that pedestrian and vehicular traffic will not be obstructed by any of the vegetation.
(7) Overhead wires. Undergrounding of overhead wires and equipment shall be required in accordance with Vol. II, § 1-8-6(N).
(8) Planters, planting pots and raised planters. Landscape planters, planting pots and/or raised planters shall be required between the building and the road right-of-way(s), along walkways, and within parking areas, as approved by the Zoning Administrator. The landscape planters, and/or flower boxes shall be appropriately sized and accommodate a minimum of two 5 gallon shrubs per 20 feet of property frontage.
(Ord. 1402, passed 5-6-2014)