(a) Non-residential Uses. All trees with a caliper of six (6) inches or more shall be maintained and preserved as part of all non-residential development. All such existing trees shall be preserved unless such trees are exempted as follows:
(1) An existing tree will be located within a public right-of-way or easement.
(2) An existing tree is located within the area to be covered by a proposed structure or within twelve (12) feet from the perimeter of such structure(s) and relocation of such structure would not permit desirable, logical, and appropriate development of the lot.
(3) An existing tree will be located within a proposed driveway, off-street parking area or other improvement, and relocation of such improvement would not permit desirable, logical, and appropriate development of the lot.
(4) An existing tree is damaged or diseased.
(b) Tree Planting and Landscaping Requirements. For all new development, the following tree planting and landscaping requirements shall apply:
USE | REQUIREMENTS |
NC, GC, MI, M2 Districts; PCD and PID | There must be tree plantings equal to one (1) inch or more in caliper for every 1,000 sq. ft. in ground coverage by any non-residential building. All areas of a lot not covered by buildings, structures, or paving shall be covered by approved landscaping. |
R5 AND PRD | A minimum fifteen (15) feet approved landscaped perimeter shall be provided where such development is adjacent to or abuts a residential zoning district or public right-of-way, excluding on-site access drives. |
Off-Street Parking Areas: five (5) or more parking spaces | There must be tree plantings equal to two (2) inches or more in caliper, measured at four (4) feet from the ground, for every six (6) parking spaces. |
Tree planting requirements may be waived by the Planning and Zoning Board if the quantity of existing trees and their aggregate trunk sizes meet or exceed these requirements and are evenly distributed throughout the subject site.
(c) Screening Requirements.
(1) Off-street Parking Areas. All off-street parking areas for more than five (5) vehicles shall be effectively screened on each side which abuts a residential zoning district or public right-of-way. Such screening can consist of a masonry wall or solid wood fence which shall be no less than four (4) feet in height.. Such screening can also consist of approved landscaping which shall consist of a strip of land not less than fifteen (15) feet in width planted with an evergreen hedge or dense planting of evergreen shrubs not less than four (4) feet in height.
(2) Screening of Service Courts and Loading Dock Areas. All areas used for service, loading and unloading activities shall be screened along the entire lot line if adjacent to or abutting a residential zoning district or public right-of-way. The requirements of Section 1155.02(d) shall apply.
(3) Screening of Trash Containers. Trash containers designed to service more than one (1) residential unit or to service any non-residential structure shall be sufficiently screened or enclosed by walls, fences, landscaping, or an acceptable combination of these elements. Screening walls or fences shall have an opacity of one hundred percent (100%) and a minimum height of six (6) feet. Landscaping shall include shrubs and hedges with opacity of seventy-five percent (75%). Trash containers shall be located behind the building line and conform to side and rear yard setback requirements.
(d) Additional Landscaping and Screening Requirements.
(1) Deciduous Trees. Deciduous trees shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than fifteen (15) feet in central Ohio and having trunk(s) 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 (8) foot clear wood requirements will control. Trees having an average mature spread of crown less than fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping of the same so as to create the equivalent of fifteen (15) foot crown spread. The deciduous trees are recommended as appropriate are found in Appendix C.
(2) Evergreen Trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height with a minimum caliper of one and one-half (1 ½) inches at planting.
(3) Shrubs and Hedges. Shrubs and Hedges shall be at least two (2) feet in height when planted.
(4) Earth Mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which when planted, block or screen the view. Mounds shall be constructed of clean fill, top soil and similar materials, and shall be designed with proper plant material to prevent erosion and facilitate drainage. Earth mounds shall not exceed four (4) feet in height.
(5) Dead or Diseased Trees. It shall be unlawful for any property owner to maintain or permit stand on his or her property any dead, diseased, or damaged trees, or any living trees, shrubs, evergreens or other plants deemed by the Community Development Coordinator deemed to be a threat to the public peace, health, and safety.
(Ord. 19-20. Passed 11-4-20.)