A. General Provisions. In addition to the objectives stated in section 2 of this Ordinance, goals of parking lot standards are to create shaded areas in parking lots to reduce glare, enhance the visual environment, and encourage the use of LID practices. The design of the parking area shall be the responsibility of the developer and should consider visibility of signage, traffic circulation, comfortable pedestrian access, and aesthetics. Trees shall not be cited as a reason for applying for or granting a variance on placement of signs.
B. Application. Parking lot landscaping standards shall apply to any surface passenger vehicle parking area of ten (10) spaces or more, or to any paved vehicular use area 3,500 square feet or larger on the same tax lot or on contiguous tax lots under common ownership. Any paved vehicular area which is used specifically as a utility storage lot or a truck loading area shall be exempt from landscaping requirements within a parking lot.
C. Landscaping Within a Parking Lot.
1. Area within a parking lot shall include the paved parking and maneuvering area, as well as any area within ten (10) feet of any exterior face of curb surrounding the paved parking and maneuvering area.
2. Each interior landscaped area shall be a minimum of six (6) feet wide, unless the area is added to the required perimeter landscaping.
3. The use of LID best management practices in parking lots is encouraged whenever site and soil conditions make it feasible. Such practices include, but are not limited to, permeable surfacing materials, and integrating LID stormwater management facilities into the required landscaping areas.
D. Computing Minimum Area Required to be Landscaped Within a Parking Lot. Minimum area required to be landscaped within a parking lot shall be as follows:
1. Fifteen (15) percent for all residential, industrial, and commercial zones
2. Five (5) percent for the Downtown-Commercial Zone for any off-street parking spaces provided.
3. Ten (10) percent for the Core Commercial (CC) sub-area of the Downtown Canby Overlay Zone for any off-street parking spaces provided.
E. All parking areas with more than 16 spaces shall include landscape islands to break up the parking area into rows of not more than 8 contiguous parking spaces.
1. Landscape islands shall have a minimum area of 48 square feet and a minimum width of six (6) feet.
2. Landscape islands shall contain at least one tree that meets the standards in section (F) below.
3. Landscape islands may be counted toward the minimum parking lot landscaping requirements.
F. Criteria for Trees in Parking Lots. Deciduous, evergreen and/or shade trees shall meet the following criteria:
1. Reach a mature height of approximately forty (40) feet. Trees must be approximately two-inch (2”) caliper at the time of planting.
2. Cast moderate to dense shade in summer.
3. Be long lived, i.e., live to be over approximately sixty (60) years.
4. Do well in an urban environment:
a. Be pollution tolerant; and
b. Be tolerant of direct and reflected heat.
5. Require little maintenance:
a. Be mechanically strong;
b. Be insect and disease resistant; and
c. Require little pruning.
6. Be resistant to drought conditions.
7. Be barren of fruit production.
G. Perimeter of Parking and Loading Areas:
1. Screening of parking and loading areas is required. Within three (3) years of planting, screening shall be of such height and density as to shield vehicle headlights from head-on visibility.
2. In addition, one (1) deciduous, evergreen and/or shade tree shall be planted every forty (40) feet, minimum, along the required setback of the vehicular use area.
H. Irrigation System or Available Water Supply Required. Landscaped areas shall be provided with automatic irrigation systems or a readily available water supply with at least one (1) outlet located within approximately 150 feet of all plant materials to be maintained. (Ord.. 890 section 49, 1993; Ord.. 848, Part IV, section 6, 1990, Ord. 1296, 2008; Ord.. 1338, 2010)