(A) Intent. Landscaping enhances the visual image of the city, improving property values and alleviating the impact of noise, traffic, and visual d1straction associated with certain uses. Screening is important to protect less intensive uses from the noise, light, traffic, litter and other impacts of more intensive, nonresidential uses. Accordingly, these provisions are intended to set minimum standards for the design and use of landscaping, greenbelts, and screening, and for the protection and enhancement of the city's environment. More specifically, the intent of these provisions is to do the following.
(1) Improve the appearance of off-street parking areas, vehicular use areas, and property abutting public rights-of-way.
(2) Protect and preserve the appearance, character, and value of the neighborhoods which abut nonresidential areas, parking areas, and other intensive use areas, thereby protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
(B) Scope of application. No site plan shall be approved unless it shows landscaping consistent with the requirements of this subchapter. A building permit shall not be issued until the required landscape plan is submitted and approved, and a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless provisions set forth in this section have been met or a performance guarantee has been posted in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 154.036.
(C) Minimum requirements. The requirements in this subchapter are minimum requirements, and under no circumstances shall they preclude the developer from agreeing to more extensive landscaping.
(D) Design creativity. Creativity in landscape design is encouraged. Accordingly, required trees and shrubs may be planted at uniform distances, at random, or in groupings, depending on the designer’s desired visual effect and, equally important, the intent of the city to coordinate landscaping on adjoining properties.
(Ord. 92-005, passed 2-17-92)