The following identifies the minimum landscape and screening standard requirements for all developments.
(a) Plant Materials.
(1) All plant material shall be sound, healthy, live plants installed and maintained in accordance with relevant nursery industry procedures.
(2) Shrubs shall be installed at a minimum height of two feet (2) with a minimum spread of two (2) feet. When used for a continuous, year-round screening, shrubs must crease such screening within five (5) years of planting.
(3) Groundcover shall be planted a maximum of eight inches on center and shall be planted in such a manner so as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) coverage after one complete growing season. If approved as part of the site plan, groundcover may also consist of rocks, pebbles, sand, wood chips and other material.
(4) Grass shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Centerburg, Ohio, and may be sodded or seeded, except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion-reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or disease.
(5) Trees.
A. Evergreen trees shall be installed at a minimum height of five (5) feet with a minimum spread of three (3) feet.
B. Shade (deciduous or canopy) trees shall be installed at a minimum caliper of two and one-half (2.5) inches as measured at the diameter at breast height (DBH).
C. Trees that drop fruits, berries, or seeds shall be prohibited from use as part of any landscaping requirement where the tree or its canopy will hang over a vehicular use areas, sidewalks, or other paved areas.
D. Invasive species identified in OAC 901:5-30-01 shall be prohibited.
E. To curtail the spread of disease or insect infestation in a plant species if a new development contains over five (5) trees, the application should include at least two (2) different species of trees.
(6) Existing live and healthy vegetation that meets the standards of this section may be used to meet the standards of this chapter.
(7) Any trees, shrubs, or landscaping materials used to meet the standards of this chapter shall be required to meet the height and size standards of this section. Any trees, shrubs, or landscaping materials incorporated onto a site that exceeds the amount required by this chapter may be of any size.
(b) Accessways. Necessary accessways shall be permitted to traverse required landscaping and screening areas. The width of such accessways shall not be subtracted from the linear dimensions used to determine the minimum number of trees and shrubs required in this chapter.
(c) Fencing and Landscaping Walls.
(1) All fencing or landscaping walls used for screening purposes shall comply with Section 1111.03 and shall be seventy-five percent (75%) in opacity.
(2) The bottom of all fences used to meet the landscaping requirements of this chapter shall be a minimum of two inches above the ground grade.
(3) Materials and colors used for fences and landscaping walls shall be similar or complementary to the principal building on the lot.
(d) Mounds and Berms.
(1) Earthen mounds and berms shall have a maximum slope of 3:1 (three (3) feet of horizontal space is required for each one-foot vertical change in elevation).
(2) The crest or top of the mound shall be rounded with elevation changes maintained one foot off of the centerline of the mound.
(3) Earthen mounds or berms shall be designed and constructed with variations in physical alignment throughout the length of the mound or berm.
(e) Location.
(1) No trees shall be planted over any storm or sanitary sewers, or in a manner where the root structure is reasonably expected to interfere with such underground facilities.
(2) All required landscaping and screening materials shall be installed on the subject property requiring the landscaping and screening.
(3) Perimeter landscaping and/or landscaped areas used for screening shall have a minimum width of five (5) feet.
(Ord. 2023-16. Passed 6-5-23.)