Landscaping shall be used as a transition between uses, and to screen areas from public view and to improve the appearance of developed areas. All yard areas not used for accessory structures and uses shall be landscaped and maintained with grass, trees and shrubs. Landscaping shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Plant materials should be chosen which are indigenous, moderately fast growing, and require minimal maintenance. The landscape design should incorporate the entire site and consist of a palette of plants with year round appeal which may include: annuals, perennials, shrubs or trees.
(b) Landscaping shall be compatible with the city's Streetscape Plan.
(c) Each landscape plan shall address the functional aspects of landscaping such as drainage, erosion prevention, wind barriers, provisions for shade, energy conservation, sound absorption, dust abatement, reduction of glare and screening.
(d) Where landscaping is used as screening it shall be opaque year round.
(e) Landscape screening shall be of a height and density so that it provides the full desired effect within three years growing time.
(f) Landscaping, walls, planters or similar means shall be used to screen parked cars. Whenever structures such as walls or fences are used to create a screen, plants shall be located on the sides of the structure which can be seen from the surrounding streets, walks and other properties which are used by the public. Landscape plans shall be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(g) All parking areas shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs and fences to provide an effective buffer for any adjacent residential property and public street right-of-ways. Within the interior of the parking areas there should be landscaping to break up large areas of parking.
(h) New and remodeled buildings shall include landscaping in the form of street trees and/or shrubbery along the public right-of-way, low shrubbery around the buildings themselves to soften the appearance and landscaping between and along site boundary lines. All street trees shall be at least two and one-half inch caliper and shall be spaced a minimum of 25-30 feet apart.
(i) Tree species should be hardy city types and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(Ord. 11-O-1, passed 2-23-2011)