All development plans submitted for approval must reflect these following additional performance standards applicable to the site:
(A) Landscaping.
(1) Wetlands and storm water retention ponds may count, at half credit, toward the required open space if it is treated as an amenity feature on the site.
(2) Trees and shrubs required to screen loading areas may not count toward the total required for the site, unless approved by the City Council.
(3) All existing, healthy trees on the site must be saved, where possible, or replaced at a ratio of 2 to 1 caliper diameter inches.
(4) No berms may have a slope greater than a 3:1 ratio.
(B) Screening
(1) Loading docks:
(a) From highways - screened with walls constructed of the same materials as the building at a height necessary to screen the entire truck from view.
(b) From all other public rights-of-way or abutting residential areas - screened from view with undulating berms to an average height of eight feet. An additional four feet of plant material spaced to obscure views of trucks parked at the loading areas year round. At a minimum the additional four foot screening may be six foot coniferous trees planted ten foot on center in a sawtooth pattern
(2) Parking areas:
(a) From local streets - screening includes undulating berms for an average height of four feet and an additional two foot of plant material spaced to partially obscure views of the parking lot.
(b) From collectors and arterials, and when abutting residential - screening includes undulating berms for an average height of six feet and an additional two foot of plant material spaced to partially obscure views of the parking lot.
(C) Parking and impervious surface areas.
(1) Impervious surface areas may be set back according to the following:
(a) From local streets - 30 feet from public rights-of-way.
(b) From all highways, other arterials, collectors, and residential areas - 60 feet from public rights-of-way.
(c) The above setbacks may be increased if necessary to accommodate the screening required in this chapter.
(2) Landscaping.
(a) A minimum of ten percent of the hardsurfaced area of the parking lot must be landscaped.
(b) Landscaped islands in the parking lot may not be used to satisfy the parking lot landscape requirement or the total required open space for the site except where islands are greater than 500 square feet in size and have a minimum width of ten feet.
(c) Landscaped islands may contain a minimum of 400 square feet and may be planted with a minimum of two overstory deciduous trees no smaller than 2½ caliper inches in diameter and eight shrubs no smaller than 18 inch potted.
(3) Visitor drop-off zones and parking spaces must be provided near visitor entrances.
(4) Landscape layout and design must clearly define and direct pedestrian movement through parking areas with a direct, continuous, five foot wide, concrete sidewalk that connects with sidewalks of abutting properties or public right(s)-of way.
(5) When parking structures are proposed, the architectural design and use of materials must be similar or compatible with the architecture of the principal building(s). No parking structures may be located between the principal buildings and a highway.
(6) Shared parking. Shared parking arrangements may qualify to reduce the required parking in §§ 152.140 through 152.146 by up to 20%. Properties qualify for shared parking if in compliance with § 152.145 and the parking plan for the area must demonstrate required, but not installed, parking, as well as meet all other applicable ordinances pertaining to parking. Demonstrated parking areas may not count toward green space requirement.
(7) Driveways may be consolidated to minimize external street congestion.
(8) Bicycle racks may occupy a maximum of two parking stalls without additional parking required.
(D) Fences.
(1) The following is prohibited: chain-link fences, barbed or concertina wire, snow fences, electric fences, wooden fences (unless constructed with brick or masonry columns, etc.) and the like.
(2) Gates must match fencing in design, material, height and color.
(E) Exterior storage or display of articles, goods, materials, machinery, equipment, fleet vehicles, plants, trash, dumpsters, materials for recycling, storage containers or similar items, are not permitted.
(F) Utilities.
(1) All permanent utilities must be underground.
(2) All utility appurtenances such as telephone pedestals, meters, transformers, etc. may not be visible from abutting properties, parking areas, public streets and pedestrian walkways. They must be screened from view with walls that are constructed with the same materials as the principal building and/or landscaping materials. Transformers must be grouped with meters whenever possible.
(G) Accessory structures. Accessory structures are not permitted, with the exception of retaining walls and other walls and fences as mentioned previously in this section. The prohibition on accessory structures does not include gazebos, picnic shelters or other structures that are typically used as landscaping accents.
(Ord. 2000-936)