(A) Planting types. (See Figure 16-5-6(A))
(1) Canopy trees: A hard wood plant having not less than a two and one-half inch caliper which reaches a mature height of not less than 20 feet and a mature spread of not less than 15 feet.
(2) Ornamental trees: A hard wood plant having not less than a one and one-half inch caliper and normally reaches a mature height of at least 15 feet and usually has one main stem or trunk and many branches. Several species may appear to have several stems or trunks.
(3) Evergreen trees: A tree having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year and has a height of not less than six feet at installation and maturing to a height of not less than 20 feet.
(4) Shrub: A perennial plant (deciduous or evergreen) of low to medium height characterized by multiple stems and branches continuous from its base and having a height of not less than two feet and normally maturing to a height of not more than five feet.
(5) Ground cover: Plants, other than turf grass, normally reaching an average maximum height of not more than 18 inches at maturity.
(a) Native vegetation: Grasses and forbs that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Illinois, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities, not including noxious weeds.
(B) Required on-site landscape areas. (See Figure 16-5-6(B)) Landscape improvements required by this section shall apply to all non-single unit development and consist of living plants in a combination of trees, shrubs, and/or ground cover. Unless otherwise stated in this section, all size specifications for plant materials shall be based upon the time of planting. When caliper is specified for tree planting, the caliper of the tree trunk shall be measured at 12 inches above the ground level. Any plant materials used to meet the requirements of this section shall not include any plant material included in the Illinois Noxious Weed Law (505 ILCS 100) or generally considered to be an invasive species within the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The Morton Arboretum's Northern Illinois Tree Species List is the village's recommended species list. The following graphic illustrates the location of the landscape and screening requirements detailed in this section.
(1) Parking lot perimeter area. (See Figure 16-5-6(B)(1)) All parking lots shall include landscape improvements located on the perimeter of parking areas as required by this section. Landscape improvements required by this section shall be in addition to landscape improvements required under other sections of this chapter. It is the objective of this section to provide screening between parking areas and street right-of-way.
(a) Applicability. The parking lot perimeter landscape regulations of this section apply to the following:
I. The construction of any new surface parking lot or vehicular use area that is adjacent to street right-of-way; and
II. The expansion of any existing surface parking lot or vehicular use area that is adjacent to street right-of-way.
(b) Exemptions. Installation of parking lot perimeter landscape is not required when the parking lot or vehicular use area is not visible from adjacent street right-of-way.
(c) Requirements. Perimeter landscape is required for all parking lots and shall be established along the edge of the parking lot with a minimum depth of seven feet as measured from the back of curb, to accommodate vehicle bumper overhang and ensure planting areas that are adequate in size.
I. The landscape improvement shall run the full length of the parking lot and shall be located between the property line and the edge of the parking lot. Landscaped areas outside of shrub, native vegetation, and tree masses shall be planted in live groundcover. The landscaped area shall be improved as follows:
i. One shrub or native grass the height of which shall not be less than three feet nor greater than four feet, shall be planted for every three feet of landscape area length, spaced linearly to adequately screen vehicle bumpers (ideally creating a solid hedge row).
ii. Alternatively, a low pedestrian wall or fence the height of which provides effective screening to a maximum height of three feet may be used in conjunction with required landscaping. Plant materials shall be installed between the sidewalk and the fence or wall to provide a softening effect.
(2) Parking lot interior area. (See Figure 16-5-6(B)(2)) All parking lots shall include landscape and trees located within the parking area as required by this section. Trees and landscape required by this section shall be in addition to trees and landscape required under other sections of this chapter. It is the objective of this section to provide shade within parking areas, break up large expanses of parking lot pavement, and provide a safe pedestrian environment.
(a) Applicability. The parking lot interior landscape regulations of this section apply to the following:
I. The construction of any new surface parking lot containing ten or more parking spaces; and
II. The expansion of any existing surface parking lot if the expansion would result in ten or more new parking spaces, in which case the requirements of this section apply only to the expanded area.
(b) Requirements. For parking lots consisting of 15 or more spaces, interior parking lot landscape shall be required. For parking lots consisting of fewer than 15 spaces, all rows of parking shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscape area.
(c) Amount. One parking lot island shall be provided between every 15 parking spaces. Parking lot island locations may be varied based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of islands shall be no less than the amount required one island for every 15 spaces. However, all rows of parking spaces shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscape area.
(d) Size and planting of parking lot islands. Parking lot islands shall be the same dimension as the parking stall. Double rows of parking shall provide parking lot islands that are the same dimension as the double row. A minimum of one canopy tree shall be provided for every parking lot island or landscaped area. If the island extends the width of a double row, then two canopy trees shall be provided.
(e) Design of planting areas. Parking lot islands or landscape areas shall be at least 144 square feet in area and at least six inches above the surface of the parking lot and protected with concrete curbing, except where designed as part of a post-construction best management practice. Such islands and landscape areas shall be properly drained and irrigated as appropriate to the site conditions to ensure survivability, except where designed as part of a post-construction best management practice.
(f) Type of landscape material. Canopy trees shall be the primary plant materials used in parking lot islands and landscaped areas. Ornamental trees, evergreen trees, shrubs, native grasses, groundcover, and other plant materials may be used to supplement the canopy tree plantings but shall not create visibility concerns for automobiles and pedestrians.
(g) Groundcover. A minimum of 75% of every parking lot island shall be planted in groundcover.
(3) Building foundation area. (See Figure 16-5-6(B)(3)) All multiunit residential, non-residential, or mixed use development, with the exception of food processing facilities, shall include landscape located at the building foundation as required by this section. Landscape required by this section shall be in addition to landscape required under other sections of this chapter. It is the objective of this section to provide a softening effect at the base of buildings.
(a) A multiunit residential, non-residential, or mixed use development is required to maintain a building foundation area at the front and exterior side yards of five feet at a minimum.
(b) Foundation plantings shall be designed to supplement buffer yard plantings to frame important views, while visually softening long expanses of walls. Foundation plantings shall correspond to the windows and materials of the building.
(c) Foundation plantings shall be installed across 80% of the length of the facade of the building, except where walkways and driveways are located.
(d) A minimum four foot-wide hedge row shall be planted with one shrub or native grass every three feet on center, spaced linearly. Foundation plantings may also include trees, additional shrubs and native grasses, and groundcover.
(4) Transition area. (See Figure 16-5-6(B)(4)(b)) Transition area landscape shall be required along interior property lines of all multiunit residential, non-residential, or mixed use development. It is not expected that the transition area will totally screen such uses but rather minimize land use conflicts and enhance aesthetics over time as landscaping matures. Landscape required by this section shall be in addition to landscape required under other sections of this chapter. It is the objective of the transition area to minimize possible conflicts between land uses.
(a) Applicability.
I. The construction or installation of any new primary building or primary use; and
II. The expansion of any existing primary building or primary use that results in an increase in gross floor area or site area improvements by more than 5% or 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater. In the case of expansions that trigger compliance with transition area requirements, transition area landscaping is required only in proportion to the degree of expansion. The Community Development Director is authorized to allow the transition area to be established adjacent to the area of expansion or to disperse transition area landscaping along the entire site transition area.
III. Primary buildings or uses in the B-1 District shall not be required to install transition area landscape along interior side yards except for those that abut a lot not zoned in the B-1 District.
(b) Transition area types. Four transition area types are established in recognition of the different contexts that may exist, as shown in Table 16-5-5(B)(4)(b). Transition yards may include a combination of elements including setback distances for separation, planting types, solid fencing, groundcover, and turf.
Specification | Type A | Type B | Type C | Type D |
I) Min. Yard Width (1) | 5 ft. | 8 ft. | 10 ft. | 15 ft. |
II) Min. Fence/Wall Height (II) | optional | optional | 6 ft. | 6 ft. |
Min. Number of Landscape Elements (per 100 lineal feet) | ||||
III) Ornamental (III) | optional | 3 | 4 | 5 |
IV) Canopy/Evergreen (IV) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
V) Shrubs/Native Grasses | optional | optional | 20 | 30 |
(1) Required yard setbacks may be utilized for transition area landscape. | ||||
(c) Application of transition area types. Transition areas shall be provided based on the table below, except where adjacent uses are of a similar nature, scale, and intensity. As per Table 16-5-5(B)(4)(c), the type of required transition yard is dependent upon the land use type of the subject lot and the land use type of the adjacent lot(s).
Adjacent Lot Land Use | ||||||
Subject Lot Land Use | Open Space / Agriculture | Single-Unit Residential | Multiunit Residential | Commercial | Industrial | Public / Semi-Public |
Adjacent Lot Land Use | ||||||
Subject Lot Land Use | Open Space / Agriculture | Single-Unit Residential | Multiunit Residential | Commercial | Industrial | Public / Semi-Public |
Open Space/ Agriculture | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Single-Unit Residential | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Multiunit Residential | Type A | Type B | N/A | Type C | Type D | Type B |
Commercial | Type B | Type D | Type B | N/A | Type C | Type B |
Industrial | Type D | Type D | Type D | Type C | N/A | Type C |
Public/Semi-Public | Type B | Type C | Type B | Type B | Type C | N/A |
(C) Required right-of-way landscape area.
(1) All unpaved areas within the street right-of-way shall be seeded or sodded. A developer shall be required to plant a minimum of one canopy tree per every 40 feet of lineal lot frontage within the village parkway adjacent to the subject lot. Required trees shall be planted in accordance with the standards set forth in the Village's Urban Forestry Management Plan and as approved by the Public Works Director.
(D) Species diversity requirements.
(1) A minimum of 50% of the landscape elements utilized on a lot that is less than one-half acre shall be drought and salt tolerant species.
(2) A minimum of 60% of the landscape elements utilized on a lot that is between one-half and five acres shall be drought and salt tolerant species. Total landscape elements, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 30% of any single species, 50% of any genus, nor 70% of any family.
(3) A minimum of 75% of the landscape elements utilized on a lot that is greater than five acres shall be drought and salt tolerant species. Total landscape elements, excluding turf, shall not be comprised of more than 5% of any single species, 10% of any genus, nor 20% of any family.
(E) Tree preservation. Preservation of existing quality plant material within a new development or redevelopment site is encouraged. Such preserved plant material can fulfill a portion of the landscape requirements set forth herein. Should the developer propose to maintain existing high-quality landscape materials to count toward satisfying certain landscape requirements of the UDO, the Community Development Director may, upon receipt of a landscape preservation plan, waive certain landscape requirements if mature, high-quality plant material on a lot are proposed to be preserved. If, upon inspection at the conclusion of the development, any plant material identified for preservation has been removed, damaged, or is otherwise in declining condition, that plant material must be replaced.
(F) Installation and maintenance of landscape areas.
(1) Immediately upon planting, all landscape shall conform to the American Standard for Nurserymen, published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc., as revised from time to time.
(2) A guaranty, in the form of a letter of credit or performance bond, approved by the Village Attorney and the Community Development Director, or a cash deposit made with the Village Treasurer for 20% of the total cost estimate of landscaping for the construction in January 1 dollars for the current year, shall be provided by the applicant for all required landscape improvements. Such guaranty shall be executed before building permits are issued. The 20% landscaping deposit will be held in escrow for a period of 18 months past the time of planting and will be refunded on approval of the village, unless extended by the village per § 16-8-4(O)(10)(c).
(3) Dead plant materials shall be replaced within 60 days upon notification from the village, taking into consideration the season of the year, and shall be of the same quantity and quality as initially approved. If the particular project is constructed in more than one phase, the 60-day timeframe shall apply to each individual phase.
(4) All landscape areas shall be maintained in a healthy and weed-free condition. The ground surface of landscape areas shall be covered with regularly maintained turf or other types of pervious groundcover or mulch.
(5) Any required landscaped area, greater than 150 square feet in area, shall be provided with an underground irrigation system or be provided with a portable water supply within 50 feet of said landscaped areas, unless otherwise approved by the Engineering Services Director to accommodate native grasses. No part of an irrigation system may be installed in village right-of-way.
(Ord. 2021-05-15, passed 5-3-2021; Ord. 2022-05-21, passed 5-2-2022; Ord. 2023-07-32, passed 7-17-2023)