(A) Landscape plan.
(1) In order to ensure compliance with the standards of this section, a landscape plan that demonstrates how landscaping will be planted on a development site shall be included with or as a part of any application for a site plan, § 162.03-06; planned development master plan, § 162.03-02; or subdivision preliminary plat, § 162.03-07(D).
(2) Minor revisions to approved landscape plans may be necessary due to lack of plant availability, and may be approved by the Zoning Administrator if:
(a) There is no reduction in the quantity of plant material;
(b) There is no significant change in size or location of plant materials; and
(c) The new plants are of the same general category (e.g., shade tree, ornamental tree, evergreen, or shrub) and have the same general design characteristics (e.g., mature height, crown spread) as the materials being replaced.
(B) Existing vegetation and site features.
(1) Existing viable trees located within a required landscaping area shall be preserved and credited toward standards for the type of landscaping required, to the maximum extent practicable.
(2) Existing berms, walls, or fences (excluding chain link fencing) located within a required landscaping area may be credited towards the required landscaping provided these elements are in good repair.
(3) If existing vegetation and other site features do not fully meet the standards for the type of landscaping required, then additional vegetation or site features (including fences) shall be planted or installed within the required landscaping area.
(4) Other existing site features located within a required landscaping area which do not assist in meeting the standards of this section shall be screened or removed.
(C) New planting standards. New plantings shall comply with the following standards:
(1) Minimum size.
(a) Deciduous canopy or shade trees shall have a minimum height of eight feet and be a minimum of two inches in caliper at the time of planting, as determined in the American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1-2004, as amended.
(b) Understory, small maturing, or ornamental trees shall have a minimum height of six feet and be a minimum of one-and-one-fourth inches in caliper at time of planting, as determined in the American Stdndard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1 -2004, as amended.
(c) Evergreen trees shall have a minimum height of six feet and be a minimum of two inches in caliper at the time of planting.
(d) Multi-stem trees, whether canopy or understory, shall have at least three stalks and be a minimum of eight feet in height above ground level at the time of planting.
(e) Large shrubs shall have a container size of at least three gallons, and shall be at least three feet in height at the time of planting, and shall reach the required minimum performance height within four years of installation.
(f) Small shrubs shall have a container size of at least two gallons, and shall be at least two feet in height at the time of planting, and shall reach the required minimum performance height within five years of installation.
(g) In cases where an aggregate caliper inch (ACI) requirement is utilized to derive a required amount of vegetation, and the ACI figure includes a fraction, an applicant may:
1. Utilize a tree or trees with a caliper inch measurement exceeding the minimum size at time of planting standard of this subsection in order to meet the required ACI; or
2. Round the ACI figure upwards until the figure corresponds with a whole number of trees meeting the minimum size at time of planting standard.
3. When trees exceeding the minimum size at time of planting standard are proposed, the minimum calipers of such trees shall be clearly noted on the site plan, or subdivision preliminary plat (as appropriate).
4. In cases where application of the requirements in this subsection result in a fraction in the number of shrubs to be provided, the minimum number of shrubs to be provided shall be rounded upwards to the next highest whole number.
(2) Quality.
(a) All new plant material shall be of good qualify and free from disease. All trees shall be properly guyed and staked at the time of planting, and mulched and meet the standards set forth in the American Standard for Nursery Stock by the American Association of Nurserymen. The selection of plants, planting methods, minimum height, root ball and container size, number of branches, and width, shall conform to the American Standard for Nursery Stock published by the American Association of Nurserymen for that type of tree or shrub at the time of installation. Plant material shall be of standard quality or better, true to name and type of species or variety.
(b) The use of native, drought-tolerant vegetation is encouraged to reduce dependency upon irrigation.
(3) Plant diversity. To curtail the spread of disease or insect infestation in a plant species, new plantings shall comply with the following standards:
(a) When fewer than 20 trees are required on a site, at least two different genus shall be used, in roughly equal proportions.
(b) When more than 20 but fewer than 40 trees are required to be planted on site, at least three different genus shall be used, in roughly equal proportions.
(c) When 40 or more trees are required on a site, at least four different genus shall be used, in roughly equal proportions.
(d) Required shrubs shall use the same plant diversity requirements.
(e) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed so as to prevent the utilization of a larger number of different genus than specified above.
(4) Prohibited materials. Any tree by nature of their fruit, root system, brittleness of wood, or susceptibility to disease shall not receive credit towards the requirements of this section. Only those materials listed on the city's approved plant list shall be credited towards the requirements of this section.
(5) Stabilization.
(a) All landscape planting areas shall be stabilized and maintained with ground covers, mulches, or other approved materials to prevent soil erosion and allow rainwater infiltration.
(b) Trees shall not be planted on slopes exceeding a 4:1 horizontal-to-vertical distance.
(6) Location of plant material.
(a) No required landscaping shall be planted within a sight distance triangle at an intersection, or driveway access points unless an unobstructed view between 30 inches and 72 inches in height above grade is maintained.
(b) In cases where overhead utility lines exist, understory or small maturing trees planted a maximum of 20 feet on-center may be substituted for canopy trees.
(c) Landscaped areas within parking lots shall be separated from parking spaces, driveways, and maneuvering areas by a standard curb or other appropriate technique. This standard shall not prohibit the use of planting areas as on-site stormwater management devices.
(7) Easements.
(a) Nothing except groundcover shall be planted or installed within any underground or overhead utility, drainage, or gas easement without the consent of the utility provider, easement holder, or the city.
(b) Landscaping shall not impede the ability of the easement holder to conduct maintenance activities within the easement.
(Ord. 05-10, passed 3-23-10)