10-9-3: DESIGN, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE:

   A.   Design And Installation:

      1.   National Standards: All landscape elements shall be installed in accordance with the practices and procedures established by AmericanHort. Landscape elements shall be healthy and hardy upon installation, and shall be planted with appropriate space and soils to ensure sustained growth.

      2.   Soil Requirements: Soil type, volume, width, and depth requirements shall be used as required by this chapter to ensure tree survival and growth. A minimum soil depth of thirty six inches (36") and minimum planting bed width of six feet (6') is required for all tree planting areas. Refer to figures 10-9-3-1, "Minimum Soil Depth", and 10-9-3-2, "Planting Bed Width", of this subsection. In order to accommodate subsurface root expansion, a minimum volume of one thousand (1,000) cubic feet of structural soil is required per large shade tree or evergreen tree, and a minimum volume of seven hundred fifty (750) cubic feet of structural soil is required per medium shade tree. Whenever possible, tree plantings should be located to connect subsurface root spaces.

FIGURE 10-9-3-1
MINIMUM SOIL DEPTH

FIGURE 10-9-3-2
PLANTING BED WIDTH

      3.   Plant Size Requirements: Landscape elements shall be installed in accordance with table 10-9-3-1, "Required Landscape Size At Installation", of this subsection, unless otherwise noted in this title.

TABLE 10-9-3-1
REQUIRED LANDSCAPE SIZE AT INSTALLATION

 

Type	Minimum Size	Maximum Size
Deciduous shade tree, single trunk	1.5 in. caliper	2.5 in. caliper
Deciduous shade tree, multiple trunks	8 ft. height	10 ft. height
Ornamental tree	1.5 in. caliper	2.5 in. caliper
Evergreen tree	8 ft. height	10 ft. height
Shrubs	18 in. height	36 in. height

 

      4.   Species Diversity: Tree and plant species that are native or naturalized to northeastern Illinois, as well as drought- and salt-tolerant plant materials, shall be used as required by this chapter, except for single-unit and two-unit dwellings. Refer to the most recent Morton Arboretum Northern Illinois Tree Species List for preferred plant species and table 10-9-3-2, "Species Diversity Requirements", of this subsection, for specifications.

TABLE 10-9-3-2
SPECIES DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

 

Lot Size	Minimum Percent Drought And Salt Tolerant Species	Species Diversity Requirement
Lot under 0.5 acre	50%	None
Lot between 0.5 and 5 acres	60%	Total plant material, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 30% of any single species, 50% of any genus, nor 70% of any family
Lot over 5 acres	75%	Total plant material, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 5% of any single species, 10% of any genus, nor 20% of any family

 

      5.   Runoff Infiltration: All required parking lot perimeter landscape, buffer yards, and landscape islands shall be designed to accept and facilitate stormwater runoff infiltration through curb design, adequate soil depth, appropriate plant selection, and site grading to convey stormwater to the landscaped areas. Where practical, all landscaped areas shall create bioretention and infiltration areas to assist in water quality protection and facilitate groundwater recharge.

      6.   Irrigation: Permanent irrigation systems are not required but may be installed as recommended by a landscape architect or the Zoning Administrator. All irrigation systems that are installed shall be designed to minimize the use of water, and require certification that the system is water efficient (e.g., EPA WaterSense certified). Irrigation systems are not allowed in the right-of-way.

   B.   Planting Location And Visibility: All landscape elements shall be located in compliance with the visibility standards of subsections 10-6-6C, "Visibility Obstruction", and 10-8-8D, "Visibility", of this title.

   C.   Maintenance: All landscape elements shall be maintained in good condition at all times to ensure healthy vegetation and an orderly appearance.

      1.   Maintenance Responsibility: Landscape elements, such as vegetation and trees, irrigation systems, fences, and walls, shall be maintained. The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of landscape elements to keep them in good condition for the lifespan of the development and/or parking lot.

      2.   Surety: A letter of credit, escrow, performance bond, or other surety as approved by the Zoning Administrator, equal to one hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the value of the landscaping shall remain in place for two (2) years after installation to ensure proper maintenance in accordance with this chapter.

      3.   Establishment Of Landscape Elements: All installed landscape elements shall be watered, fertilized, and replaced as needed until fully established.

      4.   Ongoing Maintenance: All landscape elements shall be maintained in good condition in perpetuity and shall have a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. Any landscape element that is removed due to disease, damage, death, or any other reason shall be replaced within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the growing season, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the approved landscape plan. (Ord. 67-2018, 12-18-2018)