Landscape plans, as described above will be evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria:
(a) Scale and Nature of Landscape Material. The scale and nature of landscape materials must be appropriate to the size of the site and related structures.
(b) Shade Trees. All deciduous shade trees at the time of installation shall have a minimum caliper of two and one-half (2.5) inches and a clear trunk height of at least six (6) feet, unless otherwise specified. Caliper of the trunk is taken at four and one-half feet (4.5) above the grade line on the uphill side of the tree. The ground line includes the duff layer that may be present, but does not include unincorporated woody debris that may rise above the ground line.
(c) Evergreen Trees. Evergreen trees must have a minimum height of six (6) feet at installation.
(d) Ornamental Trees. Single stem ornamental trees must have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches taken at height referenced in 1131.04(b), unless otherwise specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees must have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting.
(e) Shrubs. The minimum height at installation of all shrubs must meet the dimensions of Schedule 1131.04(e). Large shrubs are those species that reach five (5) or more feet in height at maturity. Small shrubs are those species that should be kept at heights of fifteen (15) to thirty-six (36) inches.
SCHEDULE 1131.04(e): SHRUB INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS | |
SHRUB TYPE | MINIMUM DIMENSION AT INSTALLATION |
Deciduous, Large | 3 feet in height |
Deciduous, Small | 15 inches in height |
Evergreen, conifers (small) | 18 to 24 inches in height |
Evergreen, conifers (large) | 6 feet in height |
Evergreen, broadleaf (small) | 1-1/2 feet (wide/spread) |
Evergreen, broadleaf (large) | 2-1/2 feet (wide/spread) |
(f) Perennials and Groundcovers. Unless otherwise specified, perennials and groundcovers must be a minimum of four (4) inch container stock and maximum twelve (12) inch on-center spacing.
(g) Mulch. Unless otherwise specified, mulch must be a minimum two (2) and a maximum of four (4) inch dressing and must be applied on all exposed soil surfaces of planting areas except turf, creeping or rooting groundcovers, or direct seeding applications. Bare soil should be left at the base of the plant to avoid trunk suffocation or rot.
(h) General Landscape Requirements. Table 1131.04(h) shows the minimum amount of landscape materials required per site. The quantities are inclusive of total aggregate shade trees and number of landscape units. The quantities are subject to the use of the principal building and total footprint of the site. The requirements within this section are to be included in addition to any required buffering, screening, building façade, or parking lot landscape requirements. Shade trees can be placed anywhere on the lot meeting all other requirements of this Code. Landscape islands shall be placed as to create visual interest and increase the aesthetic quality of the site and building façade.
Schedule 1131.04(h) General Landscape Requirements
Use | Shade Trees Per Site | Landscape Island Per Site | Landscape Island |
Residential, Single Family and Two Family | 1 per detached dwelling | ||
Residential, Multi- family | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 1 per 5 dwelling units | 100 sq. ft. 1 ornamental tree or evergreen tree. 5-6 shrubs or perennials. |
Business/Retail | 5 per acre | 1 per 0.5 acre | 100 sq. ft. 1-2 ornamental trees or evergreen trees. 6-8 shrubs or perennials. |
Mixed Use | Case-by-case | Case-by-case | Case-by-case |
Office/Institutional | 5 per acre | 2 per acre | 200 sq. ft. 1-2 ornamental trees or evergreen trees. 6-8 shrubs or perennials. |
Industrial | 1 per acre | 1 per 2 acres | 250 sq. ft. 2-4 ornamental trees or evergreen trees. 8- 10 shrubs or perennials. |
* When figuring the number of landscape islands or quantity of plant material required, round the total number of plants required up to the nearest whole number.
* A minimum of 50% of each landscape island shall be covered in planting materials. The entire landscape area left free from plantings shall be covered with mulch, wood chips, landscape stones, or similar materials.
(i) Building façade landscaping. In any Business (B) or Mixed Use (MU) district, any flat expanse of a principal building façade that faces or is clearly visible from the public right-of-way and encompasses over 50% of the length of the adjacent lot line, shall include landscape material and plantings along the base of the façade. In the event the building shape is not parallel to the lot line, the façade shall be compared against the shorter of the adjoining lot lines. This provision is only applicable if landscaping will not result in a reduction of parking or inhibit the ability to provide safe and effective pedestrian and vehicular access to the principal building.
(j) Generally Acceptable Landscape Materials. A list of generally acceptable plant shall be on file with the City and is available for reference for selection of landscape materials.
(k) Reduction. The Planning Commission may reduce the required quantity of landscape material as specified in this Code based upon the existence of certain site specific circumstances, including insufficient open space or the potential to negatively impact the site's safety by implementing these requirements.
(l) Species Diversity. Diversity among required plant material for on-site landscaping is encouraged to enhance visual interest and reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to diseases or pests. Schedule 1131.04 (k) indicates the percentage of diversity required based on the total quantity of the same species of plant to be used. As an example: if a landscape plan calls for 5-10 shade trees, there must be at least two (2) species of shade trees used, with a maximum of 60% of those being of one species and a minimum of 40% of those being of another.
SCHEDULE 1131.04(k): DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS | |||
TOTAL NUMBER OF PLANTS PER PLANT TYPE | DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS | MINIMUM NUMBER OF TOTAL SPECIES | |
MAXIMUM OF ANY SPECIES | MINIMUM OF ANY SPECIES | ||
1-4 | 100% | Not Applicable | 1 |
5-10 | 60% | 40% | 2 |
11-15 | 45% | 20% | 3 |
16-75 | 40% | 10% | 5 |
76-500 | 25% | 5% | 8 |
500-1,000 | 30% | 5% | 10 |
1,000+ | 15% | 4% | 15 |
(Ord. 2015-9. Passed 8-25-15.)