1272.01 Purpose.
1272.02 Definitions.
1272.03 Compliance requirements of new and existing sites.
1272.04 Landscape plan.
1272.05 Issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy; performance bonds.
1272.06 Minimum requirements.
1272.07 Size of plantings; spacing; screening.
1272.08 Violations; appeals.
CROSS REFERENCES
Power to regulate shade trees and shrubbery - see Ohio R.C. 715.20
Assessments for tree planting or maintenance - see Ohio R.C. 727.011
Dutch elm disease - see Ohio R.C. 927.39 to 927.42
Injuring vines, bushes, trees or crops - see GEN. OFF. 642.04
Tree trimming - see GEN. OFF. 660.14
Shade trees - see S.U. & P.S. Ch. 1022
The purpose of landscaping requirements is to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare through the preservation and protection of the environment by recognizing the vital importance of plant materials in the ecological system.
Landscaping shall be encouraged that will enhance the visual environment, ensure public safety, moderate the micro-climate and minimize nuisances, primarily noise and glare.
The purpose of this chapter is:
(a) To promote the proper use of landscaping as a buffer between different land uses, to improve and maintain appearance and safety and to protect, preserve and promote the aesthetic appeal, character and value of the City of London.
(b) To specifically promote the preservation and replacement of major trees removed in the course of land development.
(Ord. 195-96. Passed 11-7-96.)
For purposes of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Caliper" means the trunk diameter measured at six inches above the ground for trees up to four inches in diameter and twelve inches above the ground for trees over four inches in diameter.
(b) "Critical root zone" means the rooting area in which any soil disturbing activities could cause tree decline or death. The diameter of the critical root zone is equal to the tree height times 0.4. The area is commonly referred to as the "dripline".
(c) "Interior landscaping" means the use of landscape materials within the innermost boundaries of a landscape buffer zone.
(d) "Landscape buffer zone" means the area adjacent to any vehicular use area or along common boundaries.
(e) "Large tree" means any tree normally attaining a mature height of over fifty feet.
(f) "Major tree" means any tree or shrub that is three inches or greater in caliper. If the plant is multi-stemmed, the caliper of all stems shall be added and the average caliper shall be used.
(g) "Medium tree" means any tree species that normally attains a mature height of between twenty-five feet and fifty feet.
(h) "Minor tree" means any tree or shrub that is less than three inches in caliper. If the plant is multi-stemmed, the caliper of all stems shall be added and the average caliper shall be used.
(i) "Opacity" means the use of landscape materials to visually screen adjacent property, starting from the established grade to a specifically required vertical height, and the degree to which a wall, fence or vegetation is impenetrable to light.
(j) "Perimeter landscaping" means the use of landscape materials within a landscape buffer zone to achieve the required opacity.
(k) "Small or ornamental tree" means any tree that normally attains a mature height of under twenty-five feet.
(l) "Street tree" means any tree planted in the tree lawn.
(m) "Top" means to indiscriminately remove plant parts in such a way as to destroy the natural defense system, shape and beauty of trees.
(n) "Tree lawn" means the part of a street not covered by paving, lying between the property line and the curb.
(Ord. 195-96. Passed 11-7-96.)
(a) New Sites. No certificate of zoning compliance or building permit shall be issued, hereafter, for any site development or construction of any structure or vehicular use area, except where landscaping complies with this chapter.
(b) Existing Sites.
(1) No structure or vehicular use area, including parking lots, shall be constructed or expanded, unless the minimum landscaping requirements of this chapter are met.
(2) Landscaping for the entire property shall not be required, unless the expansion is substantial. Expansion is substantial when:
A. No additional land is involved, but the square footage of the expansion or alteration exceeds twenty-five percent of the gross square footage of said structure.
B. Additional land is involved and the square footage of the expansion or alteration of the structure exceeds twenty-five percent of the existing land or the gross square footage of said structure, exclusive of expansion or alteration.
(Ord. 195-96. Passed 11-7-96.)
(a) When a property is affected by the landscape requirements, the property owner or developer shall prepare a landscape plan for submittal to the Shade Tree Commission for review. Once submitted, the Shade Tree Commission shall consider the plan within two weeks. Approval or disapproval shall be provided to property owners within three days of consideration. The plan shall contain the following:
(1) Exact locations of all existing major trees, clumps of minor trees and proposed landscape materials, installation size, on-center planting dimensions, where applicable, and quantities for all plants to be used.
(2) Location, size and identity of all major trees to be removed.
(3) Location and size of any structure presently on the site and those proposed to be placed on the site, vehicular use areas and parking spaces, driveways, service areas and abutting streets and highways.
(b) A landscape plan shall be required in the followings cases:
(1) All new, nonresidential development;
(2) All new housing developments, including new single-family lots, two-family lots and multifamily lots;
(3) All complete building renovations, as outlined in Section 1272.03(b); and
(4) Any property improvement whatsoever that requires the removal of existing major trees.
(Ord. 195-96. Passed 11-7-96.)
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