A. Purpose: The purpose of this Section 7.4.905 is to establish landscape planting areas parallel to and including adjacent street rights-of-way. The standards of this Section are intended to require plantings of trees and other vegetation to provide a pleasing continuation of vegetation along the streetscape.
B. Landscaped Setbacks and Trees Required:
1. Landscape Setback Requirements:
a. Except as provided in Subsection b below, the street frontage of each property subject to this Part 7.4.9 shall provide landscaping as shown in the table below.
Landscape Setback and Tree Requirements | |||
Street Type | Front and Corner Street Frontage Landscape Setback Width, Min. (ft.) [1] | Secondary Frontage on Double Frontage Lot Landscape Setback Width, Min. (ft.) | Tree Planting Requirements |
Freeway or Expressway | 25 | 25 | 1 per 20 linear ft. |
Principal Arterial | 25 | 15 | 1 per 20 linear ft. |
Minor Arterial Street | 20 | 10 | 1 per 25 linear ft. |
Non-Arterial Street | 10 | 6 | 1 per 30 linear ft. |
NOTES: [1] For up to one-half (1/2) of the site frontage, the Manager may approve a reduced landscape setback if the average depth complies with the standards of this table. | |||
b. The following exceptions apply to the landscape setback requirement:
(1) Commercial driveways and sidewalks to afford limited access may cross the landscape setback.
(2) Parking lots and loading areas shall not be located in the required landscape setback.
(3) Public sidewalks may enter into a required landscaped setback or double frontage lot streetscape area if sufficient landscaping is provided and maintained in the right-of-way to adequately compensate for the resulting loss of landscaping in the setback or streetscape area.
2. Tree Requirements: Trees or alternate vegetation shall be planted in the landscape setback and shall comply with the following standards:
a. General
(1) To the greatest extent possible, trees shall be planted on center, in alignment with any similar street frontage or landscaping on adjacent lots, and within fifty (50) feet of the property line adjacent to the street.
(2) Trees may be located in adjacent right-of-way if:
(a) Existing development bars placing street trees in the landscaped setback area;
(b) For a City street, the City Forester's street tree standards are met;
(c) For a state highway, CDOT and City Forester's street tree standards are met;
(d) There are no conflicts with utility easements, drainage facilities, or other easements; and
(e) Street widening is not anticipated.
(3) A maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of required setback or streetscape trees may be substituted with shrubs or ornamental grasses as follows:
(a) Ten (10) shrubs with a minimum #5 container size may substitute for each tree; and
(b) Two (2) ornamental grass clumps with a minimum #3 container size, may substitute for each shrub.
(c) In the streetscape, all substituted shrubs located within the right-of-way shall be low-water-use plants or plants adaptable to low-water-use conditions.
(4) In the rear yard of a double-frontage lot:
(a) Up to twenty-five (25) percent of the streetscape trees may be placed in the rear yard behind the fence or wall.
(b) Any substituted shrubs or ornamental grasses shall be planted in the streetscape.
(c) In the streetscape, all shrubs shall be low-water-use plants or plants adaptable to low-water-use conditions.
b. Street-Oriented Lots: When individual lots for attached and detached single-family and two-family dwellings are platted with frontage on a public or private street, at least one (1) tree per lot shall be located in tree lawn that is at least seven (7) feet wide, or within the front yard of each lot.
3. Walls and Fences in Street Frontage Areas:
a. Walls and fences that comply with the standards of Section 7.4.910 (Fences and Walls) may be placed in the landscape setback if they comply with the following standards:
(1) Opaque portions of fences and walls visible from a public or private street shall not exceed a height of three (3) feet above existing grade at the base of the fence or wall, unless otherwise provided in this Subsection (3).
(2) The Manager may allow a retaining wall higher than three (3) feet if required due to special grading conditions, provided that the wall is visually softened by plantings of trees or shrubs and allowance is made for the efficient operation and maintenance of utility infrastructure.
(3) The Manager may require the installation of an opaque sound barrier between three (3) feet and eight (8) feet in height, or an applicant may propose and the Manager may approve the installation of an opaque sound barrier between three (3) feet and eight (8) feet in height, when property is located adjacent to a major street and the Manager determines that the sound barrier is necessary to mitigate adverse impacts of traffic noise on a residential or mixed-use development.
(4) Opaque walls and fences higher than three (3) feet shall be located outside of the required landscaped setback unless the Manager determines that location within a required landscaped setback is necessary in order for the wall or fence to serve its intended purpose.
(5) Walls and fences shall complement the architectural components of the site and be sufficiently low or open to permit views for security and safety.
b. A seven (7) foot opaque wall or fence that complies with the standards of Section 7.4.910 (Fences and Walls) shall be established in the landscape setback of the rear of a double frontage lot.
C. Street Trees in Parkways: Street trees are required in parkways adjacent to property subject to this Part 7.4.9, subject to the following conditions:
1. A permit shall be obtained from the City Forester prior to planting any tree in the public right-of-way unless that planting is included as part of an approved Development Plan;
2. Street trees shall be selected from "Approved Street Tree List for Colorado Springs" list provided by the City Forester, or as otherwise permitted by the City Forester;
3. The planting area shall be at least seven (7) feet wide. In a section of a planting area that is less than seven (7) feet wide, rock, ground cover plantings, or decorative pavers may be used;
4. Street trees included as part of a Development Plan approved after March 11, 1986, shall be maintained by the owner of the adjacent property;
5. Trees shall be planted and maintained:
a. At least five (5) feet from:
(1) The face of a curb along arterial roads on the City Major Thoroughfare Plan;
(2) An attached sidewalk; and
(3) Any driveway.
b. Within the center of the planting area, except as necessary to comply with the distance requirement of Subsection a above;
6. No plantings or landscape elements within the Sight Distance Line may exceed thirty (30) inches in height. Deciduous trees may be located within these areas but branches shall be trimmed so that the lowest branch is a minimum of six (6) feet above ground.
7. To avoid Site Distance Line obstructions, new trees shall not be planted closer than forty (40) feet from any street corner.
D. Medians: All medians must comply with standards in the Landscape Policy Manual. (Ord. 23-03)