The following shall establish standards for the landscape improvements required to be installed as part of the development of new buildings, structures and uses of land governed by this chapter:
(A) General landscape standards. Every development shall provide sufficient landscaping so that:
(1) Neighboring properties are shielded from the negative air pollution, dust, debris, artificial light, noise and visual influence of that development;
(2) The development is shielded from the negative impacts of adjacent uses.
(3) The appearance and desirability of the development contributes to the overall attractiveness and economic health of the village.
(B) Minimum landscaped open space. For each parcel of land to be developed, the minimum landscaped open space shall comply with standards established in division (D) of this section. In zoning districts for which no minimum landscaped open space requirements are specified, a minimum of 15% of the total parcel shall be devoted to landscaped open space area. Division (D) of this section details landscape requirements for various portions of the total landscaped open space.
(C) Flexibility in the administration of required landscape standards.
(1) To meet the objectives outlined in division (D) of this section, the following landscape requirements are hereby established. These standards provide specific requirements for site landscaping. However, the village recognizes that, because of the wide variety of types of developments and the relationships between them, some flexibility in applying standards set forth in division (D) of this section are appropriate as long as the intent of specified requirements are met. Any deviation from the requirements of any specific chapter shall require a variation, which must be approved by the Village Board.
(2) Whenever the village allows or requires deviation from the requirements set forth in this chapter, it shall enter on the face of the landscape plan the reasons for allowing or requiring deviation from the requirements set forth herein. The maximum amount of any deviation or variation will be 20%.
(D) Types of landscaped areas.
(1) This chapter regulates landscaping of five distinct areas of a parcel as follows:
(a) Interior parkways;
(b) Perimeter areas;
(c) Foundation areas;
(d) Parking lots; and
(e) Site interiors.
(2) Diagrams 1, 2 and 3 of the Appendix provide graphic illustrations of each area. Each area shall be landscaped in accordance with the following criteria:
(a) Interior parkway landscaping.
1. All interior parkways shall be planted by the owner or developer in all zoning districts as identified in the following table:
Table 1 | |
Interior Parkway Requirements | |
Zoning Classification | Minimum Interior Parkway (feet) |
Table 1 | |
Interior Parkway Requirements | |
Zoning Classification | Minimum Interior Parkway (feet) |
R-4 Attached Dwellings Exceeding Two Units | 10 |
R-5 Multi-Family Residence | 10 |
B-1 Downtown Business | Considered on case-to-case basis |
B-2 Local Business | 10 |
B-3 Service Business | 10 |
B-4 Heavy Service Business | 30 |
O-D Office District | 30 |
M-1 Limited Manufacturing District | 10 |
PUD Planned Unit Development | 10 - 100 |
Note: Property zoned PUD shall meet or exceed perimeter screening required of the most appropriate standard zoning district as determined by the Village Administrator.
2. Except for access drives, interior parkways shall be landscaped as follows:
a. One tree per 30 feet of street frontage shall be provided. At least 50% of the required trees shall be large deciduous or evergreen trees as identified in the recommended trees, shrubs and ground cover list in § 158.06, Table 3. Tree type may vary depending on design intent. However, as a general rule, monoculture of an individual tree specie is discouraged. A grouping of three to five trees of the same species alternating between different specie groups will ensure the best protection from plant material diseases.
b. In addition, shrub planting shall screen the parking area from the roadway. This shrub planting shall be a minimum of three feet in height and be located within the interior parkway. A maximum of 25% of the parking lot frontage may be left unscreened to permit design flexibility (see Diagram 4 in the Appendix). However, when the landscape plan indicates a single row of shrubs, the entire parking lot frontage shall be screened. The remainder of the interior parkway shall be planted with ground cover, flowers, or grass.
(b) Perimeter landscape area.
1. The appropriateness of proposed perimeter landscaping will depend upon the relationship between the proposed use of the property and adjacent properties. Three types of perimeter screening have been defined. The particular type of screening that will be required shall depend upon the relationship of the proposed land use and the adjacent land use. Type 1 screening shall generally be required between residential and nonresidential uses. Type 2 perimeter landscape screening shall generally be required to provide screening of parking areas between adjacent nonresidential uses. Type 3 perimeter landscape screening shall generally be required between low and high density residential areas.
2. Tables 2A and 2B shall be used to determine the requirements for perimeter screening between uses. Where the adjacent property has already been developed, the required screening shall be governed by the existing use. Table 2A details screening and buffering requirements where the adjacent property has been developed. In cases where a mixed use development exists on the adjacent parcel, the predominate use on that site shall determine the required screening.
3. Table 2B shall be used to determine required screening where the adjacent property is undeveloped. Current zoning shall determine the appropriate screening treatment. The comprehensive plan shall be used to determine the anticipated use and the resulting screening requirements for adjoining properties not annexed to the village at the present time.
Table 2A Perimeter Screening Requirements (Adjacent to an Existing Use) | ||||||
Adjacent Property Existing Use | ||||||
Proposed Use | Res. | Res. | MF/Office | Commercial | Industrial | Public |
Table 2A Perimeter Screening Requirements (Adjacent to an Existing Use) | ||||||
Adjacent Property Existing Use | ||||||
Proposed Use | Res. | Res. | MF/Office | Commercial | Industrial | Public |
Single or 2-Family Res., Detached | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Multi-Family Residence | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
Office | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Commercial | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Industrial | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Public | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Screening (Diagram 4) 1. Type 1 2. Type 2 3. Type 3 4. No screening required | ||||||
When a proposed use is adjacent to a property zoned PUD, the Village Administrator shall determine appropriate screening required based on the most appropriate standard zoning district. | ||||||
Table 2B Perimeter Screening Requirements (Adjacent to Undeveloped Property) | ||||||||||||
Adjacent Property Existing Use | ||||||||||||
Proposed Use | E | R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | R-5 | M-1 | O-D | B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | B-4 |
Single or 2- Family Res., Detached | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Multi-Family Residence | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Table 2B Perimeter Screening Requirements (Adjacent to Undeveloped Property) | ||||||||||||
Adjacent Property Existing Use | ||||||||||||
Proposed Use | E | R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | R-5 | M-1 | O-D | B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | B-4 |
Table 2B Perimeter Screening Requirements (Adjacent to Undeveloped Property) | ||||||||||||
Adjacent Property Existing Use | ||||||||||||
Proposed Use | E | R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | R-5 | M-1 | O-D | B-1 | B-2 | B-3 | B-4 |
Commercial | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Industrial | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Public | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Screening (Diagram 4) 1. Type 1 2. Type 2 3. Type 3 4. No screening required | ||||||||||||
When a proposed use is adjacent to a property zoned PUD, the Village Administrator shall determine appropriate screening required based on the most appropriate standard zoning district. | ||||||||||||
4. Minimum perimeter landscape requirements shall be as follows:
a. Type 1 screening. Type 1 perimeter landscape requirements are designed to provide a substantial buffer between uses. Where Type 1 screening is required on Table 2A or 2B, one of the following three buffering alternatives shall be required. The property owner may select the buffering alternative which best meets the configuration of the site and the proposed development. All fences, walls and hedges shall comply with village requirements before approval.
i. Alternate A: The buffering area shall be a minimum of eight feet in width. An opaque brick or other approved masonry wall six feet high shall be constructed along the entire perimeter, excluding area within the required front yard setback. The wall may be continued within the front yard provided the height is reduced to three feet. If the proposed use is for a mining operation or for related building or structure for screening, crushing, mining, washing or storage, the required masonry wall shall be eight feet high. In addition, four inch caliper deciduous trees in a quantity equal to one tree per 50 feet of perimeter length shall be provided. Tree spacing shall be determined by tree species and design considerations.
ii. Alternate B: A minimum 12 foot buffer area shall be required for this alternative. A fence of wood or other approved material six feet high and at least 75% opaque shall be constructed along the entire perimeter, excluding area within the required front yard setback. The fence may be continued within the front yard provided the height is reduced to three feet. If the proposed use is for a mining operation or for related building or structure for screening, crushing, mining, washing or storage, the required masonry wall shall be eight feet high. In addition, one shrub per ten feet long of perimeter length shall be planted within the buffer area. Deciduous trees with a three inch caliper shall be provided in a quantity equal to one tree per 40 feet of perimeter length. Tree location shall be determined by tree species and design considerations.
iii. Alternate C: A minimum 25 foot buffer area shall be required. A berm at least three feet in height with undulating top and sides, with a maximum three to one (3:1) slope, shall be constructed along the entire perimeter. Breaks in the berm may be provided to accommodate drainage. The berm shall be planted with one shrub per ten feet of perimeter length four feet or greater in height to provide screening along at least 75% of the perimeter length. Trees with a two and one-half inch caliper shall be provided in a quantity equal to one tree per 40 feet of perimeter length. Tree spacing shall be determined by tree species and design considerations. Up to 25% of the required trees in this screening alternative may be small deciduous trees (crab apples, service berries etc.) with a two inch caliper or six foot height.
b. Type 2 screening. Type 2 perimeter landscape screening is generally required between adjacent non-residential uses to screen parking areas from adjacent uses. Where a parking lot will be placed along a perimeter such that parked cars will face the abutting property, shrubs and trees shall be required. Shrubs shall be provided along at least 50% of the length of the parking areas. Where parking will be placed adjacent to a residential use, shrub screening shall be continuous along the entire parking area and a minimum of six feet high. Shrubs shall be a minimum of three feet in height when screening a parking lot from adjacent non-residential uses. Trees shall be provided in a quantity equal to one large deciduous tree per 40 feet of parking lot length. Tree spacing shall be determined by tree species and design considerations. Up to 25% of the required trees in this screening shall be continuous along the entire parking area and a minimum of six feet high. Shrubs shall be a minimum of three feet in height when screening a parking lot from adjacent non-residential uses. Up to 25% of the required trees in this screening alternative may be small deciduous trees (Crab apples, etc.). If the proposed use is for a mining operation or for related building or structure for screening, crushing, mining, washing or storage, an eight foot high fence or wall shall be provided along the perimeter in lieu of parking lot screening.
c. Type 3 screening. Type 3 perimeter landscape screening is generally required between low and high density residential areas. Where a Type 3 screen is required according to Table 1, berming, trees and shrubs shall be provided to create a visual separation between properties. Appropriate berm height will depend on the width of the landscape area, with no berm having a slope greater than three to one (3:1). A minimum of 60% of the length of the perimeter shall be planted with two foot shrubs that will reach a height of at least six feet. Trees shall be required in a quantity equal to one tree per 40 feet of lot line length. Tree spacing shall be determined by tree species and design considerations. Up to 25% of the required trees in this screening alternative may be small deciduous trees (crab apples, etc.).
(c) Foundation area landscaping. A minimum five foot wide landscape area is required adjacent to all building walls (exclusive of driveways, access walks, and service and delivery areas). Planting should emphasize ground plane transitions and softening large expanses of building walls, when possible, accenting building entrances and architectural features, and screening mechanical equipment. Where extended roofs or canopies are used to provide a covered walkway adjacent to a building, foundation plantings are not required. However, landscaping is recommended to separate vehicular areas from buildings.
(d) Parking lot landscaping. Landscaping shall be required within all parking lots containing 20 or more parking spaces to meet the following standards:
1. There shall be a minimum seven foot wide (measured from back of curb) curbed planting island at the end of every parking row. The depth of the planting island shall be equal to the depth of the parking stalls.
2. To break up long expanses of parking rows, landscape islands are required. One of the following three alternatives shall be used to divide rows of ten or more parking spaces.
a. Alternative A. A continuous curbed landscape island between rows may be provided in lieu of full stall planting islands between parking bays. Where such a continuous island is provided, it shall be a minimum of eight feet in width measured back to back of curbs and shall contain a minimum of one tree for every ten parking spaces (see Diagram 6 in Appendix).
b. Alternative B. A maximum of ten parking spaces will be permitted in any length of parking bay between planting islands. A curbed island at least seven feet wide and as deep as the parking stalls shall be provided to divide the bay length. There shall be a minimum of two large deciduous trees per island. Tree branching shall start no less than six feet above the pavement measured from pavement level.
c. Alternative C. Smaller curbed islands at the head of and between parking stalls may be permitted. If smaller curbed planting islands are appropriate, they shall be a minimum of six and one-half feet by six and one-half feet, measured from back of curb to back of curb and shall be provided at the rate of two small islands for every full size island required in Alternative B. The parking stall width adjacent to the small islands shall be increased to a minimum width of 11 feet. There shall be a minimum of one large deciduous tree per island. Branching shall start no less than six feet above the pavement measured from pavement level.
3. In addition to required trees, an appropriate planting of shrubs, ground cover plants, flowers, sodded lawn and mulch shall be provided within all landscape islands. To insure visibility, shrubs shall not exceed a mature height of 30 inches above pavement on landscape islands at the end of parking rows (see Diagrams 7 and 8 in the Appendix).
(e) Site interior landscaping.
1. On parcels with more than one structure, the open space between buildings shall be appropriately landscaped to provide:
a. Screening of adjacent dwelling units.
b. Screening and shading to improve energy efficiency.
c. A visually appealing living environment.
2. The planting of trees is the most effective means of defining and enhancing open space areas. As the appropriate quantity and location of trees will be dependent upon the site and building configuration of individual developments, each project will be evaluated independently. However, open space areas within the interior of a site should generally contain a minimum of one tree per 5,000 square feet of open space.
3. Other landscape features, including shrubs, flowers, ground cover, grasses, and berming should be used as appropriate to enhance the overall appearance and function of the open space area.
(E) Landscape design requirements. Functional activities within and adjoining the development site must be considered in the design of landscape improvements, including consideration of the following:
(1) Service area screening. All service areas shall be screened from view through the use of evergreen plant materials, masonry walls or fences compatible with the proposed building design.
(a) Trash dumpsters and other waste receptacles or equipment shall be screened with three sided brick or other approved masonry walls being a minimum of six feet in height and not less than one foot above the height of the proposed trash containers and other storage devices with a solid, attractive single or double access gate of the required height on the remaining side as access to the trash facility. The trash enclosure shall be designed to complement the architectural character and features of the principal building on the site.
(b) All utility equipment (meters, transformers, boxes, pedestals, etc.) shall be provided with appropriate planting screens. A note which specifies that all equipment will be screened will be required when the location of the equipment is not available. All dish antennas shall be screened from view of adjoining properties and abutting streets by an opaque wall, fence, hedge or berm.
(c) All garage doors and loading areas shall be screened so as not to be visible from adjoining rights-of-way and property zoned for any residential use.
(d) All outdoor storage facilities for fuel, raw materials, building products and construction equipment within 500 feet of a residential district, or within view of an adjacent roadway, shall be effectively screened and enclosed by a solid wall or fence at least eight feet in height. If materials to be stored outdoors are in excess of eight feet in height, then landscape screening shall be provided in addition to the fence or wall installed along the outside perimeter of the fence or wall, equal or exceeding the height of the materials to be stored outdoors.
(2) Intersection visibility.
(a) Landscaping must be designed and installed to minimize potential obstruction of critical sight lines.
(b) Landscape planting shall be so designed as to avoid obstruction of a motorist's vision at the intersections of outlet access drives and ring roads, access roads, or municipal streets.
(c) Unobstructed visibility between two feet and six feet above the height of the paved surface of the access road must be maintained at all intersections. To maintain this visibility, no shrubs or other landscape material which will reach a mature height greater than two feet shall be permitted within ten feet of the right-of-way of a primary thoroughfare, or five feet from the right-of-way of a lesser roadway, for a distance of 40 feet from the right-of-way intersection (see Diagram 9 in the Appendix). Trees are allowed in these critical visibility areas if the lowest branching begins not less than six feet above the pavement.
(3) Parking area island planters. All parking area island planters should be over-excavated to a minimum depth of two feet for their entire width and length, backfilled with an appropriate mix of topsoil, peat moss and nutrients to replace the excavated material, and shall be compacted, leaving a crowned or mounded top a minimum of six inches above the curb bordering the planter island.
(4) Berming. Berming shall not exceed a maximum slope of three to one (3:1) when mowing maintenance will be required.
(5) Mulching. Mulch materials shall be shredded bark or other organic material best suited for the village. Lava rock or large diameter (1 ½ inch diameter plus) bark chips ("chunk bark") are not acceptable. Gravel and stone mulches are not permitted, unless specifically approved in writing by the village. Mulch beds shall extend a minimum of two feet beyond the center of a shrub and/or tree.
(6) Wood fence requirements. All wood fences proposed to be used to meet perimeter screening requirements shall be of red cedar, redwood, cypress, or other approved decay-resistant treated wood, at least six feet high, and of solid construction. Wood fences shall not be less than 75% opaque, with all supporting posts exposed to the lot interior. Stockade-type fences are not permitted.
(Ord. 05-02, passed 1-18-2005)