§ 9.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

   9.4.1   Landscaping required by this article shall comply with the minimum state or local sight distance requirements for street intersections and driveways.

   9.4.2   Required landscaping shall not obstruct or impede public pedestrian routes including sidewalks and greenway trails.

   9.4.3   Whenever planting areas required by this article are adjacent to motor vehicle use areas or motor vehicle display areas, the planting areas shall be protected from vehicle intrusion or damage by active restraint devices, such as bollards, wheel stops, or raised curbing.

   9.4.4   The soil surface of all planting areas required by this article shall be stabilized to prevent erosion. In addition to required interior trees and shrubs, the soil surfaces of planting areas shall contain live groundcover (grass), mulch, flowering plants, permeable pedestrian paver blocks, or a combination thereof.

   9.4.5   All required plantings installed shall be nursery grown stock that is free from disease or growth problems and shall comply with the latest edition of the American Standards for Nursery Stock, published by the American Nurserymen’s Association.

   9.4.6   The landowner is responsible for maintaining all required plant materials in good health. Any dead or missing plants must be replaced with new planting which meets the minimum installation dimension standards of this section. Plant replacement shall take place within one month of written notification by the Ordinance Administrator. In the event that plant material is severely damaged due to an unusual weather occurrence or other act of nature, or if replacement plantings are unavailable within one month of written notification, the landowner will have six months from the date of written notification to replace the required plantings. This time limit may be extended by the Ordinance Administrator if the area is under prolonged drought conditions, or if the particular type of plant material has a preferred planting season that would require extending the length of time.

   9.4.7   Where appropriate, the location of overhead utility lines shall be considered during the placement of required trees. The maximum mature height of required trees shall be determined as follows.

   (A)   Trees with a maximum mature height of less than 25 feet shall be used where they will be planted within 25 feet, measured horizontally, from overhead power lines.

   (B)   Trees with a maximum mature height of less than 35 feet shall be used where they will be planted within 35 feet, measured horizontally, from overhead power lines.

   (C)   Trees with a maximum mature height of greater than 35 feet may be used where they will be planted more than 30 feet, measured horizontally, from overhead power lines as long as they do not have a mature horizontal spread of more than 25 feet from the trunk.

   9.4.8   Safety and security concerns should receive prominent consideration during the selection and placement of landscaping materials.

   9.4.9   A minimum five foot radius containing no plant materials or structural elements other than groundcover plants shall be maintained around all fire protection equipment, including fire hydrants, post indicator valve, and Siamese connectors. Obvious sight lines to the fire protection equipment shall be maintained at all times.

   9.4.10   All plant material used to satisfy the requirements of this article shall be maintained in sound condition by the property owner. Proper maintenance of plant material includes regular mulching, watering, and pruning as well as the replacement of any required plantings which are damaged and/or dying.

   9.4.11   In order to encourage the use of a diverse mixture of plant material, the number of trees or shrubs from a single genus may not exceed one-third of the total number of trees or shrubs required to be planted by this article on a particular property.