Landscaping materials used to meet the requirements of this Chapter shall consist of the following. The proposed landscape materials should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture. The type of shade or sun should be considered in selecting plant materials.
(a) Earth Mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view similar to a hedge, fence or wall. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an existing earth mound and shall not be considered as fulfilling any screening requirement. Where mounds are to be mowed, the maximum permitted slope is 4:1.
(b) Plants. Artificial plants are prohibited. All plant materials shall be living plants and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown in accordance with good horticultural practices, grown under climatic conditions similar to those in Northeast Ohio, shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations. In addition, trees shall be free of disease, insects and/or damage, and shall be correctly labeled indicating genus, species and cultivar. All trees must be transported to/in Glenwillow from the nursery or holding area in a covered fashion to protect the tree from wind damage.
(2) Deciduous trees. Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than fifteen (15) feet in Northeast Ohio and having trunks which can be maintained with over five (5) feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections where eight foot clear wood requirements shall control. Trees having an average mature spread of crown less than fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping of the same as to create the equivalent of a fifteen (15) foot crown spread. A minimum of ten (10) feet overall height or a minimum caliper, trunk diameter measured six (6) inches above ground for trees up to four (4) inches caliper of at least one and three-fourths (1¾) inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than fifteen (15) feet to such public works, unless the tree root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimensions shall be five (5) feet square and five (5) feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four (4) inch thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half (1½) inches immediately after planting.
(4) Shrubs and hedges used for screening. Shall be a minimum of two (2) feet high when planted and shall conform to the opacity and height requirements within two (2) years after planting.
(5) Grass or ground cover. Grass of the fescue (Gramineae) or bluegrass (Poaceae) family shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Northeast Ohio, and may be sodded or seeded, or covered by artificial turf or other similar type of surface approved by the Planning Commission. Except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used, nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeks and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) of complete coverage after complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight (8) inches on center. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand and similar approved materials.
(c) Prohibited Materials. Applicants shall not include invasive plant materials as identified by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
(Ord. 2016-07-24. Passed 8-3-16.)