(a) Any part or portion of a site which is not used for buildings or other structures, loading and parking spaces and aisles, sidewalks, and designated storage areas shall be planted and maintained with landscaping. Maximum advantage shall be taken of existing trees and shrubs in landscaping.
(b) All landscaped planting areas, as defined in § 1250.07, shall be planted with grass seed, sod or other ground cover and shall be maintained and kept clean of all debris, rubbish, weeds and tall grass; provided, however, that if such land is naturally wooded, it may continue in its natural state.
(c) Unless otherwise specified, landscaped planting areas may be part of the required front, side and rear yards.
(d) Except for single-family and two-family dwellings, any part or portion of a site which is not used for loading and parking spaces, aisles, sidewalks and designated storage areas shall be landscaped according to an overall plan, prepared and approved as part of the development plan or shall be left in its natural state. A replacement program for non-surviving plant material should be included.
(e) General requirements for landscape plans shall be as follows.
(1) Landscaping shall be installed and maintained in accordance with a landscape plan prepared by a registered landscape architect and approved by the Township Board of Commissioners. The landscape plan shall depict all proposed plantings as required within planted buffers and planted visual screens and in other landscaped areas which relate to, complement, screen, or accentuate buildings, roads, parking areas, sidewalks, walkways, sitting areas, service or maintenance structures, courtyards and other site features.
(2) The landscape plan shall be based on and reflect the following:
A. Respect for and incorporation of existing topographic, landscape and other natural features;
B. The functional and aesthetic factors which relate to the tract and to the principal and accessory buildings and other structures;
C. Enhancing views from and within the tract;
D. Screening and complementing proposed buildings and other structures;
E. Creating visual interest for the users and/or residents of the proposed project; and
F. Using plant materials which are hardy and acclimated to the conditions at the tract and within the township.
(3) The landscape plan shall include notes, diagrams, sketches or other depictions to present the consideration and analysis of the following:
A. An analysis of the site in terms of the existing views to and from the areas which are proposed for development; existing topography and vegetation conditions; and other existing conditions which are relevant to the site;
B. An analysis of proposed planting and other landscaping needs as related to screening views of buildings; screening parking areas and other areas where vehicles are parked; screening storage areas; screening site utilities; and other appropriate types of screening;
C. The consideration of locations where plantings and other landscaping are needed to provide visual interest; define outdoor spaces; complement the proposed architectural style; and achieve other functional and aesthetic requirements for buffer areas; and
D. Existing trees shall be preserved wherever possible. The protection of trees 12 inches or more in caliper (measured at a height four feet above the original grade) shall be a factor in determining the location of buildings, open space, structures, underground utilities, walks and paved areas. Areas in which trees are to be preserved shall remain at original grade level and in an undisturbed condition.
(f) Design criteria for landscape plans shall be as follows.
(1) Parking lots shall be landscaped and screened as required in Chapter1284.
(2) Landscaping shall be provided in association with each principal building in accordance with the following criteria:
A. A combination of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs shall be used as “foundation” plantings, i.e., plantings to be installed in reasonably close proximity to the facades;
B. At least one three and one-half- to four-inch caliper specimen deciduous tree of 11 to 13 feet in height at the time of planting, and one eight- to ten-foot specimen evergreen tree, shall be planted for every 50 feet of length of building facade. These specimen trees shall be clustered or grouped to provide a pleasing, naturalistic effect and existing trees to be retained may be utilized to satisfy this requirement;
C. Four evergreen and/or deciduous shrubs shall be planted for every 20 feet of length of building facade; and
D. Trees and shrubs shall be grouped in accordance with specific needs and objectives.
(3) Other landscaping, including trees, shrubs and ground covers, shall be provided along walkways, in courtyards, around sitting areas, at the entrance to the site and in other highly visible locations, especially on the outer side of any internal access roads which are visible from a public street which may adjoin a tract, at the entrance to buildings and around structures used for service, storage or maintenance purposes.
(4) The location, type, size, height and other characteristics of landscaping shall be subject to review and approval by the Board of Commissioners upon recommendations of the Planning Commission and Township Engineer.
(g) Minimum standards for the quality and maintenance of plant material shall be as follows.
(1) All plants shall conform to the standards for nursery stock of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(2) Trees and shrubs shall be typical of their species and varieties, have normal growth habits, shall be well developed, and have densely foliated branches and vigorous, fibrous root systems.
(3) Trees and shrubs shall be free from defects and injuries and certified by appropriate federal and state authorities to be free from disease and insect infestations.
(4) Trees and shrubs shall be freshly dug and nursery grown. They shall have been grown under climatic conditions similar to those in the locality of the project or properly acclimated to the conditions of the locality of the project.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)