(A) Plant materials should be used which demonstrate adaptability to harsh urban conditions, including salt spray, storm water runoff, and reflected pavement glare and heat.
(B) Where safety and maintenance become an issue, plant materials should be free from hazards such as thorns, fruit, nuts, or seeds.
(C) Plant materials should be located so that no impacts occur to overhead or underground utilities, traffic flow or circulation, and emergency and maintenance access.
(D) All vegetation shall be appropriately protected by planters or other features as necessary. Plants shall be rated for USDA Zone 3 hardiness.
(E) The spacing of trees along all local and collector streets shall be no more than 30 feet apart. The spacing of trees along all arterials shall be no more than 40 feet apart.
(F) All parking areas in business, commercial, industrial, and mixed use and non-residential uses in residential zoning districts shall also be subject to the following standards for landscaping of islands, medians, and parking lot edges.
(1) Landscaping shall be distributed throughout the parking lot to define major vehicle and pedestrian routes, provide shade, and break up large paved areas.
(2) A minimum of 1 deciduous shade tree shall be provided for each parking island.
(3) A landscaped area to include a mix of deciduous shade trees and understory plantings shall be provided in required parking lot setback areas.
(4) Landscaping shall incorporate a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs for year-round interest, texture, shape, and seasonal color.
(5) Edge treatments along streets and other public spaces should visually screen parked vehicles, but not completely obstruct views into and out of the parking lot.
(6) For parking lot edges adjacent to streets, parks, or other public open space, the following shall be provided:
(a) At least 1 row of shade trees spaced evenly at 15 to 20 foot intervals (or appropriate to the selected species) for the length of the parking lot’s edge;
(b) Screening, consisting of continuous planting, alone or in combination with a decorative fence/wall or a landscaped berm.
(7) For parking lot edges not adjacent to the public realm, soft landscaping with a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and plantings shall be provided.
(8) High quality privacy fencing with landscaped screening shall be required between parking lots and residential uses.
(9) For existing parking lots that currently do not comply with the required parking lot landscaping, such landscaping shall be provided when:
(a) A new principal building or building addition is constructed, or exterior remodeling of the principal building occurs.
(b) Over 50% of the total area of an existing parking lot is reconstructed.
(c) An existing parking lot under 10,000 square feet in area is expanded by 50% or more in total surface area.
(d) An existing parking lot over 10,000 square feet in area is expanded by 25% or more in total surface area.
(10) The City Council, based on recommendation from the Planning Commission, may modify the amount of landscaping required by this section or exempt existing parking lots from providing landscaping if such landscaping would reduce the amount of parking spaces and create a nonconformity.
(G) Plant material shall be placed intermittently along long expanses of building walls, fences, and other barriers to create a softening effect and to help break up long expanses of blank walls with little architectural detail.
(Ord. 537, passed 11-8-2004; Am. Ord. 596, passed 2-8-2010)