Within parking lots, landscaping shall be provided for shade and climate control, to enhance project design and to screen the visual impact of vehicles and large expanses of pavement. Landscaped areas within parking lots shall comply with the following standards.
(A) Trees required. Trees shall be planted and maintained in all parking lots at a ratio of one tree for every ten parking spaces. The trees shall be placed throughout the parking lot in a manner that will ensure that most portions of the lot receive tree shade. Trees shall be of a variety that provides a broad canopy. The minimum size of such trees at planting shall be 36-inch box.
(B) Perimeter planter landscaping. Landscaping within the perimeter planter between the parking lot and any right-of-way shall be designed and maintained for partial screening of vehicles to a minimum height of 36 inches, measured from the finished grade of the parking lot. Screening materials may include any combination of plant materials, earthen berms, raised planters or other screening device deemed acceptable by the City Planner or Planning Commission.
(C) Required landscaping. A minimum of 10% of the parking lot area shall be landscaped. Parking lot landscaping shall not count toward required landscape coverage otherwise required for the zone in which a project is located.
(D) Landscape irrigation and maintenance. All landscaped areas shall be equipped with an automated irrigation system and shall be maintained at all times in a neat and healthy condition. To the greatest extent possible, native and drought-tolerant plant materials shall be used.
(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12)