(a) The regulations of this Chapter apply to all new development and redevelopment plans approved after the adoption of this code, including those that include construction of any principal building, redevelopment and rehabilitation that results in an increase in a principal building's floor area or building footprint, any increase in size of an off-street parking area, and any change in use that changes the treatment of the premises under this Chapter.
(b) The objectives of this section are to improve the appearance of off- street vehicular parking lots as well as to moderate the micro-climate of parking lots and provide some acoustical control to reduce noise. Landscaping of parking lots will tend to reduce local wind velocity and make parking lots more tolerable in winter as well.
(c) All unenclosed, surfaced parking lots of a minimum of ten off-street parking spaces, shall provide one shade tree for every ten spaces, or fraction thereof in an arrangement to shade the maximum number of spaces possible. Such tree shall be any kind of large spreading tree, except those deciduous trees prohibited by D-166 (12-7-82) of the Code of Ordinances, with a minimum caliper of one and three-quarters inches at the time of planting. The shade trees shall be planted so that the vehicles face the trees, and the shade trees may be on the perimeter of the parking area(s). However, this subsection shall not be interpreted to prohibit backing into parking spaces.
(d) For commercial uses, an island shall be provided, and the required trees planted therein, between facing strips of parking spaces as follows:
(1) 0-19 spaces: No island required.
(2) 20-99 spaces: An island with a minimum width of ten feet.
(3) 100+ spaces: An island with a minimum width of ten feet for every two rows, or portion thereof, of facing parking spaces.
If, due to site size or geometrics in parking lots of twenty spaces or more, the parking spaces are not in facing rows, one shade tree shall be planted for every five parking spaces, and the shade trees shall be planted on the perimeter of the parking lot so that the vehicles face the shade trees.
(e) The required island area shall be curbed to a minimum height of six inches and be protected from adjacent parking. The required island(s) shall not impair visibility within the parking lot. All planted and landscaped areas shall be properly maintained and shall provide for identification during snow removal operations. Shade trees are to be live. Artificial shade trees are not acceptable. Any required shade tree which dies must be replaced by the next planting season.
(f) Zoning Permits and Certificates of Use and Occupancy
(1) Zoning Permits . Where landscaping is required, no zoning permit will be approved until the required landscaping plan has been submitted, approved, and bonded or otherwise assured.
(2) Use and Occupancy. All required trees, plants, groundcover, screening materials landscape material and irrigation improvements must be in place prior to Use and Occupancy unless an extension is approved by the Zoning Inspector secured either by the execution of a deferred completion agreement, the posting of full cash bond, or the posting of an irrevocable letter of credit from a banking institution with offices in Seneca, Hancock or Wood Counties as a financial security. In no case must such a deferred completion agreement be extended for a period exceeding 180 days.
A. If landscape and screening has not been installed in compliance with the applicable standards of this Chapter within 180 days, the Zoning Inspector shall authorize use of the funds or financial security to acquire and install required landscaping and screening.
B. When landscaping and screening has been installed in compliance with the applicable standards of this Chapter, the funds or financial security shall be returned to the developer or approved developer-authorized beneficiary.