Loading...
(A) In order to encourage creativity in landscape and screening design and to allow for flexibility in addressing atypical, site-specific development/redevelopment challenges, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve alternative compliance landscape plans when the Zoning Administrator determines that one or more of the following conditions are present:
1. The site has space limitations or an unusual shape that makes strict compliance impossible or impractical;
2. Conditions on or adjacent to the site such as topography, soils, vegetation or existing structures or utilities are such that strict compliance is impossible, impractical or of no value in terms of advancing the general purposes of this Chapter;
3. Safety considerations such as intersection visibility, utility locations, etc., make alternative compliance necessary; or
4. Creative, alternative landscape plans will provide an equal or better means of meeting the intent of the landscaping and screening regulations of this article. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)
(A) Existing Plants
1. Existing trees and shrubs count toward satisfying the landscaping regulations of this Chapter if they are located within the subject area (e.g., existing trees within the parkway landscape area may be used to meet the parkway landscaping requirements) and they comply with the plant height and size requirements of this Chapter.
2. Preserved trees up to 6 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited on a 1:1 basis. In order to encourage the preservation of existing mature trees, existing trees larger than 6 inches in diameter at breast height, up to 12 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited at a ratio of 2:1. Trees that are more than 12 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited at a ratio of 3:1.
(B) Minimum Plant Size
Unless otherwise expressly stated, plants must comply with the following minimum size requirements at the time of installation:
Parkway Trees | 3 inch caliper, minimum clear stem 5 ft. |
Shade Trees, deciduous | 3 inch caliper |
Evergreen Trees | 6 feet in height |
Ornamental Trees, deciduous | 2 ½ inch caliper or 8 feet in height |
Evergreen Shrubs | 24 inches in height |
Dwarf Shrubs, deciduous | 18 inches in height |
Shrubs, deciduous | 36 inches in height |
Perennials / Ornamental Grasses | 1 gallon |
(C) Plant Selection
1. Plant materials installed pursuant to this Chapter shall be of good quality and of species normally grown in northeastern Illinois and shall be capable of withstanding the extremes of the individual site microclimates. The size and density of selected plant materials at the time of planting, and at maturity, are additional criteria which shall be considered in preparing the landscape plan.
2. All plant material installed must be either balled and burlapped (B&B) or containerized. The use of bare root material is prohibited.
(D) Prohibited Trees
Tree species that detract from the Village’s appearance due to their tendency to produce numerous “weed seedlings” or which produce dead wood due to their soft wood nature or short span of life shall be prohibited. Specifically, prohibited tree species for new planting shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Black locust
2. Box elder
3. Buckthorn
4. Elm (except new hybrids)
5. Mountain ash
6. Osage orange
7. Poplar (all species)
8. Red mulberry
9. Russian olive
10. Silver maples (except new hybrids)
11. Tree of heaven
12. Weeping willow (except in large, wet areas)
13. White birch.
14. The Zoning Administrator shall have the right to prohibit plant materials other than those listed above based on current agricultural practices, regional diseases/insect infestations and recommendations of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(E) Plant Installation. All plant material shall be installed in accordance with the planting procedures established by the American Standards for Nursery Stock (ASNS).
(F) Plant Diversity
1. If more than 8 trees are required, no more than 40% shall be of a single species. If more than 25 trees are required, no more than 25% shall be of a single species. This requirement applies to trees being planted, but not to existing trees.
2. If more than 50 shrubs will be used, a mixture of three or more shrub species must be used.
(G) Planting Beds. All planting beds shall be mulched in their entirety with shredded hardwood bark mulch or other similar organic material, three inches deep. Color dyed mulch, lava rock or large diameter bark chips (“chunk bark”) are not acceptable. Gravel and stone mulches are not permitted. Mulch beds at time of planting shall extend a minimum of two feet beyond the center of all shrubs and have a four inch deep spaded edge around the perimeter.
(H) Maintenance
The property owner, occupant, tenant and respective agent of each, if any, are jointly and severally responsible for the maintenance and protection of all required landscaping, in accordance with all of the following regulations:
1. Necessary irrigation,
2. Integrated pest management,
3. Tree care and pruning,
4. Replacement of lost vegetation, and
5. Weed management. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)
(A) Landscape Architect: All landscape plans must be prepared by a State of Illinois registered landscape architect. Under special circumstances, a request to waive this requirement may be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for his consideration.
(B) Landscape Plan Content
1. Location and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings and structures within the development site and within one hundred feet (100') of the development site.
2. The locations and dimensions of all existing and/or proposed parking lots, drives, roadways, loading areas, and rights of way, sidewalks, freestanding signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, freestanding electrical equipment, building mounted signs, heating, ventilation and air circulation equipment, and all fences.
3. The location of all existing and proposed utilities and easements.
4. The location, quantity, size, root ball condition and type, scientific and common names of all proposed plant materials. All trees used to satisfy a tree replacement requirement must be clearly identified.
5. If berms are proposed to satisfy the landscaping requirements, berms must be depicted with one foot contours.
6. Specification of the type, boundaries, size and spacing of all proposed ground cover, turf and method of installation including grass seed mixes.
7. The location, size, and common name of all existing plant material intended to be preserved on the site and within twenty five feet (25') of the site.
8. A tree survey and tree preservation plan as set forth in this Chapter.
9. Section details of all fences, bridges, retaining walls, or other similar elements proposed to be located on the site.
10. Section details of typical planting methods.
11. Final opinion of probable landscape construction costs.
12. Areas designated for snow storage. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)
(A) Parkway Trees
No person, unless permitted by the Village, shall:
1. Plant, treat, prune, remove or otherwise disturb any parkway tree except that normal watering and fertilizing will be permitted.
2. Place on Village property any planters or plant containers.
3. Damage, cut, tap, carve or transplant any parkway tree.
4. Attach any rope, wire, nail, sign, poster or other manmade object to any parkway tree.
(B) Tree Preservation and Removal Applicability
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause the removal of any tree without having first obtained approval from the Village of a tree preservation and removal plan as described herein. Tree preservation and replacement requirements do not apply to the following exemptions:
(a) Removal of a tree having a diameter at breast height of less than six inches.
(b) Detached houses, duplexes, and townhouses, provided that the tree(s) are not part of an adopted or approved landscape plan.
(c) Removal of the tree is necessary due to a safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or threatens to cause disruption of public safety.
(d) Removal of the tree is necessary to remove a tree, which poses a safety hazard to structures.
(e) Removal of the tree is necessary due to death or disease of the tree has been weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.
(f) Removal of the tree is necessary to observe good forestry practice; i.e., the number of healthy trees a given parcel of land will support.
(g) New subdivisions consisting of two or less lots to be improved with detached houses, duplexes, or townhouses.
(h) Removal of the following species:
(1) Black locust (Robinia psueodoacacia)
(2) Box elder (Acer negundo)
(3) Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
(4) Cottonwood (Populus deltroides)
(5) Mulberry (Morus sp.)
(6) Osage orange (Maclura pomifera)
(7) Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
(8) Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)
(9) Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
(10) White willow (Salix alba)
(C) Tree preservation and removal plan required. A tree preservation and removal plan shall be required for any parcel of land involving the construction of any new principal building(s) or structure(s) or other site improvements or the removal of any parkway tree, or a tree having a diameter at breast height of six inches or greater.
(D) Tree Preservation and Removal Plan Requirements
1. A tree location survey, prepared by a licensed Illinois arborist, landscape architect, or other qualified professional is required for all areas to be developed.
(a) The tree location survey shall show all trees six inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and larger, and all parkway trees. All trees over twelve inches in DBH must be identified by size and species. In addition, all key trees (i.e., a tree classified by the arborist as significant, or those trees which are exceptionally good examples of their species) shall be identified on the tree survey. Each tree surveyed must be identified with a number on the drawing and tagged in the field. The survey must be accompanied by a listing of each tree including the tag number, species, DBH, condition, and if the tree will be removed or saved.
(b) Exemption. New subdivisions consisting of two or less lots to be improved with detached houses, duplexes, or townhouses.
2. The location of those trees to be removed, those to be preserved, and the methods which are to be used to preserve such trees during site development.
3. A written statement indicating the reason for removal of the tree(s). A report from a licensed Illinois arborist or landscape architect may be requested by the Zoning Administrator if deemed appropriate.
4. Details, specifications and/or technical information of procedures to be used to preserve and protect trees.
(E) General Tree Preservation And Removal Standards
1. Grading and construction equipment shall be forbidden from encroaching within the drip line of a tree. The drip line area is the ground area under a tree canopy from the trunk to the outermost branches.
2. Crushed limestone and other material detrimental to trees shall not be placed within the drip line of any tree nor at any higher location where drainage toward the tree could conceivably affect the health of the tree.
3. Snow fencing shall be temporarily installed at the periphery of the tree’s drip line and maintained throughout the entire project. The ground area inside of this fencing shall be protected and storage of any material in this area is prohibited.
4. Tree trunks and branches shall be protected when construction must occur within tree drip line areas.
5. No grade changes shall be allowed under the drip line of any trees designated for preservation.
6. To improve the survival rate of trees, root pruning and/or thinning shall be performed in accordance with industry standards and practices.
7. In the event that underground utility lines are proposed within ten feet of the trunk of a tree, auguring of the utility line should be considered and may be required by the Village.
(F) Tree Replacement for Non-Designated Trees
Any tree intended to be removed, or unintentionally removed or damaged during construction shall be replaced with new trees in accordance with the following schedule:
DBH (inches) | Required Replacement Trees |
6 - 12 | 4 |
13-29 | 5 |
30 or greater | 6 |
(G) Tree Replacement for Designated Trees
In the event that a tree designated for preservation is destroyed, damaged, or removed during the construction process, such tree shall be replaced with new trees in accordance with the following schedule:
DBH (inches) | Required Replacement Trees |
6 - 12 | 6 |
13-29 | 8 |
30 or greater | 10 |
(H) Tree replacement alternative. If it is impractical to plant the required number of replacement trees on the same zoning lot due to space limitations or the density of existing trees, the Village shall require the property owner to plant said tree(s) at the Village’s discretion on other public property or require a cash donation to be used for Village tree maintenance activities.
(I) Tree Replacement Standards
1. All replacement trees shall have a minimum caliper size of three inches.
2. Replacement trees shall not be tree species identified as Prohibited Trees as provided in this Chapter.
3. The landscape plan shall identify each replacement tree as a replacement tree and indicate its location, species, and size. No replacement trees shall be used to satisfy the requirements for tree planting in public rights of way, parking lots, or buffer areas. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)