(A) Prior to the issuance of any permit or the granting of any other approval the applicant shall receive approval of a preliminary vegetation plan which denotes the category (i.e., large tree, small tree, shrub) and number of all required vegetation materials and which illustrates the location of qualified existing and proposed materials within the available and adequate open spaces where the materials may be located in accordance with this article. Preliminary vegetation plans shall not require plant material identification by scientific or common name.
(B) The preliminary vegetation plan shall indicate the following site data and notes:
(1) Site data.
(a) Total per acre requirement by category.
(b) Total street tree requirement by category for each public and/or private street frontage.
(c) Total screening requirement by category for each individual bufferyard.
(d) Proposed vegetation by category and total number of materials to be located within each individual public utility or drainage easement.
(2) Notes.
(a) Minimum plant sizes shall be in accordance with the zoning regulations as follows:
Planting Material Type | Minimum Planting Size |
1. Large tree | |
single stem | 10 feet (height) and 2-inch caliper |
multi-stem clump | 10 feet (height) |
2. Small tree | 8 feet (height) and 1-1/2-inch caliper |
3. Shrub | 18 inches (height), except as provided under section 9-4-267 |
(b) Existing substitute vegetation materials have been noted including their specific location(s), type(s) and size(s).
(c) No portion of any parking area, including any driveway, parking space, drive isle or turning area, shall be located more than 30 feet from an on-site small tree or more than 75 feet from an on-site large tree. For purposes of this section, the measurement shall be from the farthest edge of the subject area to the center of the base of the closest qualifying tree.
(d) Site plan approval from the respective easement holder shall be construed as approval of all noted and/or illustrated encroachments as shown on this plan.
(C) The preliminary vegetation plan shall be submitted for review at the time of original submission of any site plan required pursuant to Article R of this chapter. Preliminary vegetation plan approval shall be required in conjunction with site plan approval prior to the issuance of any building permit.
(D) Preliminary and final vegetation plans indicating proposed and existing materials shall require approval of the Director of Planning and Development Services, or authorized representative.
(E) Temporary certificates of occupancy may be issued following approval of a preliminary vegetation plan prior to the installation of required vegetation materials.
(F) Except as further provided under subsection (G) below, prior to issuance of a final occupancy permit all vegetation materials required by this article shall be in place and written certification from the installer stating that the vegetation has been installed in accordance with the approved preliminary plan and applicable requirements shall be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development Services, or authorized representative. This written certification shall include a final vegetation plan indicating the preliminary vegetation plan site data, material type(s), common plant name(s) and the specific location of all installed and/or existing qualified materials. The final vegetation plan shall be indicated on an approved site plan. Written certification shall serve as a request for inspection. Full compliance with the requirements contained herein shall be the responsibility of the property owner and approval by the city of any materials installed or the issuance of any permit shall not release the property owner from the responsibility. No final occupancy permit shall be issued prior to inspection and approval of the required materials and improvements, except as further provided.
(G) (1) A final occupancy permit may be issued prior to installation of required materials in accordance with this section.
(2) Where vegetation materials would otherwise be required to be installed between May 1 and October 1 the installation may, at the option of the owner, be delayed; provided, however, the materials shall be installed not later than November 1 of that same year. Request for the delay shall be made by the property owner, on forms supplied by the city, to the Director of Planning and Development Services, or authorized representative, prior to the issuance of any final occupancy permit. Failure to install all required materials and to provide written certification of their installation on or before November 1 shall constitute a violation of the zoning regulations.
(H) Installation of vegetation improvements may be phased to coincide with construction of site improvements provided the phasing is set forth on the preliminary vegetation plan. Phasing shall be subject to approval of the Director of Planning and Development Services on a case-by-case basis.
(Ord. No. 95-112, § 1, passed 10-9-1995; Ord. No. 96-90, § 1, passed 9-12-1996; Ord. No. 98-144, §§ 2, 3, 4, passed 11-12-1998; Ord. No. 06-75, § 1, passed 8-10-2006; Ord. 19-045, § 1, passed 9-12-2019)