(A) All open areas of a lot not used for buildings, parking, circulations, patios or storage must be landscaped with a combination of canopy trees, ornamental trees, evergreen trees, shrubs, flowers, sod, ground cover and other site design features to ensure soil stabilization. This requirement shall not apply to undisturbed areas retained in a natural state or areas within the D-H Development Holding District.
(B) Fences, hedges, walls and other landscaping shall be located entirely upon the property which they serve. Fences, hedges, walls and other landscaping obstructing a utility or drainage easement or extending beyond the legal property boundary may be removed at the owner’s expense.
(C) Landscape plans shall be submitted for all site and subdivision related applications where exterior construction and development activity will occur, except for the construction of an individual single-family or two-family dwelling.
(D) Landscape plans shall be prepared by a registered landscape architect or other qualified individual for planned unit developments or development where there is greater than one acre of site disturbance.
(E) The following minimum number of plant materials shall be provided:
(1) All residential uses with three or more units and nonresidential uses shall provide:
(a) All structures must have foundation plantings consisting of shrubs, perennials and native grasses.
(b) All structures shall require an additional two shrubs per 1,000 square feet of new construction.
(2) Alternative compliance. The Zoning Administrator may approve the substitution or reduction of landscaped plant materials, landscaped area, or other landscaping standards upon finding any of the following:
(a) The alternative meets the intent of this chapter and the site plan is similar in form, scale, and materials to existing features of the site and to surrounding development, and it includes amenities or improvements that address any adverse effects of the alternative. Site amenities may include but are not limited to additional open space, additional landscaping and screening, green roof, decorative or pervious pavers, state-of-the-art stormwater management, ornamental metal fencing, architectural enhancements, transit facilities, bicycle facilities, preservation of natural features, restoration of previously damaged environment, and rehabilitation of existing structures and places that have been locally designated or have been determined to be eligible for local designation as having historic significance.
(b) Strict adherence to the requirements is impractical because of site location or conditions and the proposed alternative meets the intent of the chapter.
(c) Existing plant materials, walls, fences or topography of the site and its surroundings make the required landscaping less necessary.
(d) The required landscaping will hinder truck access and service necessary to the operation of the use.
(e) The required landscaping may obstruct views of traffic or reduce natural surveillance of the site.
(3) Compliance. If the applicant and Zoning Administrator cannot agree on the proposed landscaping design, the applicant shall be required to make an application for a conditional use permit to prove compatibility.
(F) Off-street parking area landscaping.
(1) All open, off-street parking areas shall have a minimum of one square foot of landscaping per ten square feet of parking using trees, shrubs or ground cover plants.
(2) The preservation of existing trees, shrubs and other natural vegetation in the parking area may be included in the calculation of the required minimum landscape area.
(3) Turf grass is permitted within landscaped areas located around the periphery of a parking lot.
(G) All plant materials must:
(1) Meet the minimum standards set by the American National Standards Institute in ANSI Z60.1 American Standard for Nursery Stock.
(2) Landscape species shall be indigenous or proven adaptable to the climate, but shall not be invasive species.
(3) Landscape materials shall be tolerant of specific site conditions, including but not limited to heat, drought and salt.
(4) Existing healthy plant material may be utilized to satisfy landscaping requirements, provided it meets the minimum plant size specified in this division.
(H) Not more than 50% of the required number of trees shall be of the same species.
(I) Trees and shrubs may be clustered and do not need to be evenly spaced.
(1) It is preferable that trees be located between the sidewalk and the curb, within the landscaped area of a boulevard or in tree wells installed in pavement or concrete.
(2) If placement of street trees within the right-of-way will interfere with utility lines, trees may be planted within the front yard setback adjacent to the sidewalk.
(J) The following guidelines are recommended for the minimum sizes of plantings:
(1) Canopy trees – 2.5-inch caliper.
(2) Ornamental trees – 1.5-inch caliper.
(3) Evergreen tree – six-foot height.
(4) Deciduous or evergreen shrub – five-gallon pot.
(K) Mulch shall consist of shredded bark, chipped wood, or stone installed at a minimum depth of two inches. If stone is used it shall be spread over a permeable weed barrier fabric.
(L) All required plant materials shall be planted prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy.
(1) In the event that the project is completed during a time of year when planting is impractical, a performance guarantee meeting the requirements of and in the amount of the remaining improvements may be required.
(2) In such case that a performance guarantee is required, all landscaping shall be completed within one year after the certificate of occupancy has been issued.
(M) The continued maintenance of all required landscaping materials in a live and healthy state is a requirement of this code and is the responsibility of the owner and tenant of the property on which the materials are required.
(1) Plantings which have died shall be promptly replaced by the property owner in accordance with the landscape plan approved for the site.
(2) This requirement shall run with the land and be binding upon all future property owners.
(3) Failure to comply with this maintenance requirement shall be a violation of this section.
(N) Prior to the issuance of a building permit for all projects requiring approval of a landscape plan, the developers, contractor, or property owners shall deposit a security with the city to guarantee compliance with and to indemnify the city for any expenses incurred in enforcing the requirements of this section.
(1) Landscape security for all uses except one or two unit dwellings shall be in a form approved by the Departments and shall be equal to 125% of the estimated cost necessary to furnish and plant the required landscaping and any ancillary screening improvements such as fencing.
(2) The estimated cost shall be subject to approval by the city.
(Ord. 879, passed 10-28-2020; Ord. 3.1-24, passed 3-13-2024)