A minimum of 20% of the total land area within the development shall be landscaped. The area required to be landscaped shall be planted in a time frame as set forth in the developer’s agreement, and thereafter such landscaped area shall be maintained with permanent plants and materials in accordance with the approved landscaping plan. The Planning Commission may, at its discretion, lower the percentage of landscaping to no less than 15% if the landscaped areas are grouped to provide an open useable public area within the shopping center development. All landscaped areas shall have underground irrigation that is automatically operated. All such landscaping plans shall be reviewed and subject to final approval by the Architectural Review Board and shall be consistent with the following regulations:
(A) Screening and Buffering Next to Residential Districts. All yards adjoining residential districts shall be provided with a year-round visual screen or barrier composed of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Where deemed necessary, the Planning Commission and the Architectural Review Board may require other planting or earth mounds or fences to supplement natural elements required by this Code of Ordinances in order to achieve a sufficient screening effect.
(B) Utilities. All utilities serving the buildings and site of a shopping center development, including electric and telephone installations and supporting equipment thereto, shall be placed underground or within main buildings on the site. Where such supporting equipment cannot be located within a main building, no such equipment shall be visible from any front, side or rear lot line. All pole lighting shall be approved by the Planning Commission.
(Ord. 70-07, passed 6-4-2007; Ord. 137-12, passed 9-17-2012)