(A) If a commercial, multi-family residential or non-residential development maintains a front and corner side yard (i.e. is not built at the property line), building foundation landscaping is required. However, during site plan review, the Planning Commission may decide that such landscaping is not appropriate for the development and may waive this requirement through recommendations to the City Council.
(B) Foundation plantings shall work in concert with transition yard plantings to frame important views, while visually softening long expanses of walls, particularly those that lack windows and/or other architectural details. Foundation plantings shall respond to the materials and the form of a building. The body granting approval of the landscape plan shall determine compliance with this intent as part of the review.
(C) The minimum width of the planting area provided to accommodate foundation plantings is as follows:
(1) Five feet of planting area width adjacent to building walls having an eave height of up to 20 feet.
(2) Ten feet of planting area width adjacent to building walls having an eave height of 20 feet or more.
(D) Foundation plantings shall be planted in accord with the requirements below:
(1) Foundation plantings shall be installed across 75% of the length of the front facade of the building.
(2) Foundation plantings may consist of a mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Shade, evergreen or ornamental trees shall be spaced 1 tree for every 25 feet. These plantings may be grouped within wider foundation planting areas, but the total number of trees planted shall be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced 25 feet apart.
(Ord. 596, passed 2-8-2010)