A zoning certificate for development under regulations of this chapter shall not be issued unless a plan which demonstrates compliance with the following landscaping requirements has been approved by the Administrator.
(a) General. All portions of a lot not used for permitted structures, parking areas, driveways or walkways shall be properly planted with grass or other suitable vegetative ground cover and shall be maintained in good condition.
(b) Tree Lawn. A strip of grass-covered land at least seven feet in width, known as the tree lawn, shall be reserved in a location between the roadway curb and the sidewalk contiguous to each lot where a sidewalk exists or is proposed.
(c) Existing Vegetation. In the construction of new buildings or building additions, existing trees and other significant vegetation shall be retained, wherever feasible.
(d) Street Trees. Trees shall be planted so that for every lot there is at least one tree on each tree lawn abutting a street. The minimum diameter of such trees, at planting, shall be three inches at twelve inches above ground level. The requirement of tree plantings on tree lawns shall not be applied to lots on which an existing mature tree is so situated in a yard that it would impede the eventual growth of a tree located on the tree lawn. All tree varieties shall be from a list of approved trees kept on file in the Building Department. Maintenance of Landscaping and Replacement of Landscaping. All landscaping required by this Planning and Zoning Code shall be maintained in good condition and, when necessary, shall be replaced with landscaping comparable to the landscaping required by the approved landscape plan. Any tree, shrub, or bush that is no longer in good condition, shall be replaced, at a minimum, with a tree, shrub, or bush that is comparable to the type and height of the tree, shrub, or bush specified for initial planting in the approved landscape plan. Any request to plant or maintain landscaping that is not comparable to the landscaping required by the approved landscape plan shall be reviewed by the Administrator and approved only if such landscaping is an improvement and enhancement, as determined by the Administrator, to the originally approved plan. The Administrator, in considering whether or not landscaping is an improvement and enhancement, shall consider the need for a visual barrier, the intent of the original landscaping plan, the contiguous properties, the current site conditions, including soil conditions and the success of a certain species growing in the area, and any other factor deemed relevant by the Administrator. (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)