(A) Planting within property perimeter landscape buffer areas will serve a number of functions including screening, naturalizing, softening edges, and unifying architectural elements. Planting density requirements, as outlined in the Planting Density and Screening table in § 155.143(A)(5), have been established to allow for flexible design solutions while reinforcing the site design standards of each form district.
(B) In situations where a property perimeter landscape buffer area slopes, the required plantings shall be located where the staff of the Planning Commission determines they will most effectively screen the more intensive uses.
(C) Existing landscape material which is proposed to be used to fulfill landscape requirements shall be shown on the required plan, and any plant material in satisfactory condition may be used to satisfy these requirements in whole or in part when, as determined by the staff of the Planning Commission or the agency to whom it delegates authority, such materials meet the requirements and achieves the objectives of this section. Existing healthy trees may be substituted for trees required for property or vehicular use area perimeter landscaping, or for interior landscaping by using the following criteria: a six-inch to 12-inch caliper tree surrounded by a minimum of 150 square feet of landscape area may be substituted for two new trees of the required minimum size; a 12-inch to 24-inch caliper tree surrounded by a minimum of 250 square feet of landscape area may be substituted for three new trees of the required minimum size; a 24-inch or greater caliper tree surrounded by a minimum of 300 square feet of landscape area may be substituted for four new trees of the required minimum size.
(LDC § 10.2.5)