The selection, size, spacing and planting of all landscaping within a subdivision shall comply with the landscaping standards of the Zoning Ordinance and the following standards:
(A) General standards.
(1) Tree species should be selected for tolerance of the harsh roadside conditions in southeast Michigan, for compliance with sight distance requirements, to ensure maintenance of accessibility to fire hydrants, to provide a minimum overhead clearance of fifteen (15) feet over any roadway and eight (8) feet over a sidewalk or bike path, and to avoid interference with overhead or underground utility lines.
(2) Plantings within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant shall be no taller than six (6) inches.
(3) The development and planting of required landscaping shall be the responsibility of the proprietor; not the individual lot owner.
(4) The City Commission, upon recommendation from the Planning Commission, may approve fewer trees if the proprietor provides evidence that existing healthy trees over 2.5 inch caliper or natural habitat areas will be preserved during and after construction.
(5) The landscape plan shall be approved by the City Commission, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, as part of the Final Preliminary Plat Process in consideration of the above and compatibility with the visual character of the surrounding area.
(B) Street trees.
(1) The minimum size of all street trees shalt be two and one-half inches (2.5") caliper.
(2) One canopy (1) tree shall be planted for each fifty (50) linear feet along a median boulevard.
(3) Street trees shall be planted so that each lot has at least two (2) canopy trees and each comer lot has at least three (3) canopy trees. Street trees shall be placed to avoid any future driveway locations.
(4) Street trees shall be at least fifty (50) feet from the intersection of two (2) street right-of- way lines or access easements.
(5) Street trees shall be planted between the curb and sidewalk. Trees shall be at least four (4) feet from the edge of any paved surface and shalt not interfere with sight distance required by the City.
(6) The lowest branch of any canopy tree shall provide a minimum fifteen (15) foot clearance over a street, and a minimum eight (8) feet above grade from a sidewalk or bike path. Greater clearances shall be provided if required by the City.
(7) The Planning Commission may allow existing trees three (3) inch caliper or greater, preserved in good condition, to be counted towards meeting the above requirements.
(C) Landscaping in cut-de-sacs.
(1) A minimum of one (1) canopy tree for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of ground area, rounded upward, shall be planted within each cul-de-sac or island (e.g., if the island is 2,305 s.f., three (3) canopy trees would be required).
(2) The lowest branch of any canopy tree within the island shall be a minimum eight (8) feet above the grade of the island and fifteen (15) feet above the grade of the roadway.
(3) The island must be either be mounded to a height of between one foot, six inches (F-6") and two feet, six inches (2'-6") and planted with grass or ground cover or have four (4) low shrubs planted for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of ground area. The shrubs shall be maintained at a maximum height of two feet, six inches (2'-6").
(D) Subdivision entrances. Subdivision entrances may include landscaping, lighting, identification signs, wrought iron fences or other architectural features. All such features shall comply with the Zoning Ordinance. A detail of the entranceway shall be submitted with the tentative preliminary plat. The lighting for entryway signs must be ground-mounted with no more than two (2) one-hundred twenty-five (125) watt bulbs directed toward each face of a sign. In no case shall high pressure sodium or other non-standard bulbs be utilized. Any features proposed to be placed within the public road right-of-way must meet City design and sight distance standards. Any features proposed to be placed outside of the public road right-of-way must be located within an easement recorded for the maintenance of such features by the subdivision association.
(E) Landscaping as a buffer zone or transition zone. The City Commission, upon recommendation by the Planning Commission, may require landscaping along the periphery of the subdivision to serve as a buffer zone from adjacent uses. A buffer zone may include trees, shrubs, berms or a combination. A transition zone may include preservation of existing woodlands or slopes, the addition of landscaping to provide an effective screen, lot sizes which are similar to the size of adjacent lots or building heights which are similar to the height of building on adjacent lots.
(F) Required landscape green belt. When a subdivision borders a major thorohfare, and wherever a rear yard abuts a public street or private road, an easement for construction of a twenty (20) foot wide landscape greenbelt shall be provided, in addition to the required rear yard setback, measured from the interior setback line. This buffer zone shall be planted with a minimum of one (1) canopy tree and one ( 1) evergreen tree for each forty (40) feet of greenbelt length. Existing natural features shall be retained wherever possible to promote a natural appearance and to protect the existing ecosystem within the greenbelt, Where a freeform berm is used as part of the landscape greenbelt, the minimum height shall be two feet, six inches (2'-6"). The maximum slope of the berm facing the primary road shall be 6:1 and the maximum slope of the berm facing the inside of the lot shall be .3:1. The construction of the greenbelt and its plantings shall be the responsibility of the developer and not the individual lot owner(s).
(G) Detention/Retention Pond. A minimum of one (1) evergreen tree shall be planted every forty (40) feet around the perimeter of all detention or retention ponds.
(Ord. 152, passed 1-19-99)