All new residential subdivisions with three or more lots, residential structures with four or more dwelling units, commercial uses, industrial uses and institutional uses shall be subject to minimum landscaping and planting material specification requirements outlined in this section.
(A) Landscape plan required. A landscape plan shall be developed with an emphasis upon the boundary of the subject site, parking lots and foundation of the principal structure, in accordance with the information requirements outlined in § 152.135(D) of this chapter.
(B) Design standards and criteria. All landscaping incorporated in the landscape plan shall conform to the following standards and criteria.
(1) Types of new trees. Trees suitable for complying with this section shall include those specified below.
Botanical Name | Common Name |
Botanical Name | Common Name |
Acer platanoides (and varieties) | Norway maple (and Schwedler, emerald queen and the like) |
Acer saccharum | Sugar maple |
Betula (varieties) | Birch |
Celtis occidentalis | Hackberry |
Fraxinus Pennsylvania lanceolata | Green ash (and Summit, Marshall's) |
Ginkgo biloba (male tree only) | Ginkgo |
Gleditsia triacanthos | Honeylocust (imperial, majestic, skyline, sunburst and thornless) |
Quercus (varieties) | Oak |
Tilia Americana | Basswood (American linden) |
Tilia cordata (and varieties) | Little leaf linden and redmond, greenspire and the like |
Guymnocladus dioicus | Kentucky coffee tree |
(2) Minimum size. All plants shall at least equal the following minimum sizes: (Note: Type and mode are dependent upon time of planting season, availability and site conditions (soils, climate, ground water, human-made irrigation, grading and the like).)
Potted/Bare Root or Balled or Burlapped |
Potted/Bare Root or Balled or Burlapped | |
Evergreen trees | 6 feet |
Low shrubs | |
Deciduous | 24 to 30 inches |
Evergreen | 24 to 30 inches |
Spreading evergreens | 18 to 24 inches |
Ornamental trees (flowering crabs, Russian olive, hawthorn and the like) | 2-inch diameter |
Shade trees | 2-1/2 inch diameter |
Tall shrubs and hedge material (evergreen or deciduous) | 3 to 4 feet |
(3) Spacing.
(a) Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three feet from the fence line or property line and shall not be planted to conflict with public plantings, sidewalks, trails, fences, parking areas and driveways based on the judgment of the Zoning Administrator.
(b) Where plant materials are planted in two or more rows, plantings shall be staggered in rows unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(c) Deciduous trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than 40 feet apart. Evergreen trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than 15 feet apart.
(d) Where massing of plants or screening is intended, large deciduous shrubs shall be planted four feet on center or closer and/or evergreen shrubs shall be planted three feet on center or closer.
(4) Design (except for pond slopes which shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer).
(a) The landscape plan shall show some form of designed site amenities (i.e., composition of plant materials and/or creative grading, decorative lighting, exterior sculpture and the like) which are largely intended for aesthetic purposes.
(b) All areas within the property lines (or beyond, if site grading extends beyond) shall be treated. All exterior areas not paved or designated as roads, parking or storage shall be planted into ornamental vegetation (lawns, ground covers or shrubs) unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(c) Each single-family lot is to be provided a minimum of two shade trees.
(d) Turf slopes in excess of three to one are prohibited.
(e) All ground areas under the building roof overhang shall be treated with a decorative mulch and/or foundation planting.
(f) All buildings shall have an exterior water spigot or irrigation system to ensure that landscape maintenance can be accomplished.
(g) Trees and shrubs shall not be planted in the right-of-way except as approved by the City Council.
(h) All plants required as part of an approved landscaping plan shall be maintained and kept alive. Dead plants shall be replaced in accordance with the approved landscape plan.
(C) Landscape guarantee. All new plants shall be guaranteed for 12 months from the time planting has been completed. All plants shall be alive, of good quality and disease free at the end of the warranty period or be replaced. Any replacements shall be warranted for 12 months from the time of planting.
(Prior Code, § 11-20-4) (Ord. 258, passed 5-4-2006)