Landscape plans, as described above will be evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria.
(a) Scale and Nature of Landscape Material. The scale and nature of landscape materials must be appropriate to the size of the site and related structures.
(b) Selection of Plant Material. Plant material must be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth and suitability to local conditions. Species that are included on the list of prohibited species, which is maintained by and on file with the Zoning Administrator, are prohibited.
(c) Shade Trees. All deciduous shade trees at the time of installation shall have a minimum caliper of two and one-half (2.5) inches and a clear trunk height of at least six (6) feet, unless otherwise specified. Caliper of the trunk is taken at diameter-at-breast-height (DBH). DBH is defined as outside bark diameter at breast height. Breast height is defined as four and one-half (4.5) feet above the ground line on the uphill side of the tree. The ground line includes the duff layer that may be present, but does not include unincorporated woody debris that may rise above the ground line.
(d) Evergreen Trees. Evergreen trees must have a minimum height of six (6) feet at installation.
(e) Ornamental Trees. Single stem ornamental trees must have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches taken at DBH, unless otherwise specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees must have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting and a minimum of three (3) trunks, unless otherwise specified.
(f) Shrubs. The minimum height at installation of all shrubs must meet the dimensions of Schedule 1166.04(f). Large shrubs are those species that reach five (5) or more feet in height at maturity. Small shrubs are those species that can grow up to five (5) feet in height if left unmaintained, but should be kept at heights of eighteen (18) to thirty-six (36) inches.
SCHEDULE 1166.04(f):
SHRUB INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS
SHRUB TYPE | MINIMUM DIMENSION
|
SHRUB TYPE | MINIMUM DIMENSION
|
Deciduous, Large | 3 feet |
Deciduous, Small | 18 inches |
Evergreens, conifers | 2-1/2 to 3 feet |
18 to 24 inches | |
Evergreen, broadleaf | 2 to 2-1/2 inches |
18 inches | |
(g) Perennials and Groundcovers. Unless otherwise specified, perennials and groundcovers must be a minimum of four (4) inch container stock and maximum twelve (12) inch on-center spacing.
(h) Mulch. Unless otherwise specified, mulch must be a minimum two (2) and a maximum of four (4) inch dressing and must be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas except turf, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications where mulch is contra-indicated. Bare soil should be left at the base of the plant to avoid trunk suffocation, "mulch volcanoes" or rot.
(i) Irrigation.
(1) Sprinkler irrigation systems may be required for certain landscaped areas, as determined during landscape plan approval. All irrigation systems must be designed to minimize the use of water and are approved as part of the landscape plan.
(2) When irrigation is installed, irrigation should comply with the following standards:
A. Automatic controllers that are set to water between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation.
B. Irrigation systems designed to avoid runoff, low-head drainage, overspray or other similar conditions where water flows or drifts onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, sidewalks, roadways or structures.
C. Low-volume irrigation systems with automatic controllers are recommended. Low-volume irrigation systems include low-volume sprinkler heads, dry emitters, and bubbler emitters.
D. Integral, under-the-head or in-line anti-drain, valves should be installed as needed to prevent low-head drainage.
E. Where automatic control systems are installed, the systems should be able to accommodate all aspects of the design. Automatic controllers should be digital, have multiple programs, multiple cycles and sensor input capabilities.
F. Soil moisture sensors and rain or moisture-sensing override devices are required.
G. Sprinkler heads selected and spaced for proper area coverage, application rate, operating pressure and adjustment capability, with matched precipitation and application rates within each control valve circuit.
H. Backflow prevention devices are recommended.
(j) Energy Conservation. Plant material placement must be designed to reduce the energy consumption needs of the development. Shade trees must be included on the exposed west and south elevations when landscape is required.
(k) Species Diversity. Diversity among required plant material for on-site landscaping is required not only for visual interest, but to reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to diseases or pests.
(Ord. 025-2023. Passed 6-5-23.)