The landscaping materials shall consist of the following and are described in more detail in the plant list on file at the municipal building. The proposed landscape materials should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture. The type of shade or sun should be considered in selecting plant materials.
(A) Walls and fences. To comply with the existing wall and fence ordinance, for any proposed new building, residential or otherwise, where stone fencing exists, such stone fencing shall be retained and improved as part of the approved landscaping.
(B) Earth mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view similar to a hedge, fence or wall. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an existing earth mound and shall not be considered as fulfilling any screening requirement. Where mounds are to be mowed, the maximum permitted slope is 3:1.
(C) Plants. Artificial plants are prohibited. All plant materials shall be living plants and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown in accordance with good horticultural practices, grown under climatic conditions similar to those in Central Ohio, shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations. In addition, trees shall be free of disease, insects and/or damage, and shall be correctly labeled indicating genus, species and cultivar. All trees must be transported to/in Dublin from the nursery or holding area in a covered fashion to protect the tree from wind damage.
(2) Deciduous trees. Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall, shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater then 15 feet in central Ohio and having trunks which can be maintained with over five feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections where eight foot clear wood requirements shall control. Trees having an average mature spread of crown less than 15 feet may be substituted by grouping of the same as to create the equivalent of a 15 foot crown spread. A minimum of ten feet overall height or a minimum caliper, trunk diameter measured six inches above ground for trees up to four inches caliper of at least one and three-fourths inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than 15 feet to such public works, unless the tree root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimensions shall be five feet square and five feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four inch thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Prohibited trees. Shall be those currently listed in Appendix E of the Dublin Planning and Zoning Code.
(4) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches immediately after planting.
(6) Vines. Shall be at least 12 or 15 inches high at planting, and are generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.
(7) Grass or ground cover. Grass of the fescue (Gramineae) or bluegrass (Poaceae) family shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Central 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, nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeks and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and 75% of complete coverage after complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight inches on center. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand and similar approved materials.
(D) Maintenance and installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with accepted, good construction and planting procedures. The owner of the property shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance of all landscaping materials, and shall keep them in a proper, neat and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris at all times. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced within one year, or by the next planting period, whichever comes first; while other defective landscape material shall be replaced or repaired within three months. Violation of these installation and maintenance provisions shall be grounds for the Planning Division to refuse zoning compliance or institute legal proceedings.
(Ord. 13-81, passed 5-18-81)
(E) Pruning and growth inhibitors. Landscaping materials used to fulfill code requirements, or conditions of approval, as authorized by City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Architectural Review Board or other appropriate body may not be pruned or otherwise treated so as to reduce overall height or level of opacity required. Landscape materials are intended to grow, spread and mature over time; and pruning and other inhibiting measures including removal may only be practiced to insure the public safety, to maintain a neat and attractive appearance and to preserve the relative health of the material involved. The use of growth inhibitors is not permitted to be used on any plant material used to fulfill code requirements or conditions of approval.
(Ord. 88-89, passed 11-6-89)
(F) Any individual found violating § 153.135 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree per tree or other planting.
(Ord. 46-97, passed 5-5-97)