(a) To secure a desirable transition between residential and commercial and/or office institutional land uses, additional requirements shall apply to side and/or rear yards beyond those requirements specified in the zoning districts. For parcels of land which are zoned other than residential and which abut a residential zoning district, the minimum side and/or rear yards abutting such residentially zoned land shall be twice the dimension requirement normally required. These additional side and/or rear yards shall not contain any signs or parking areas of any kind, shall have plantings of trees and/or shrubs that will have a minimum height of five (5) feet, and will provide an opacity of one hundred percent (l00%) in the summer and fifty percent (50%) in the winter within three (3) years. Existing vegetation shall be used to fulfill this requirement where feasible and all plant material shall be maintained in an attractive condition.
(b) Plant Material Specifications. The following sections include specifications for plant materials. Alternatives to these materials which can be demonstrated to meet both the intent and requirements of this section may be approved as part of a Site Plan.
(c) Deciduous Trees-Size at Planting. A minimum caliper of at least two and one-half (2-1/2) inches measured twenty-four (24) inches above ground level.
(d) Evergreen Trees-Size at Planting. A minimum of five (5) feet high and a minimum spread of three (3) feet.
(e) Shrubs. Shrubs shall be at least 24 inches average height and spread at the time of planting and, where required for screening, shall form a continuous, year-round, solid, visual screen within five (5) years after planting.
(f) Ground Cover and Grass. Ground cover shall be planted a minimum of eight (8) inches on center and shall be planted in such a manner so as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75 %) coverage after one complete growing season. If approved as part of a Site Plan, ground cover may also consist of rocks, pebbles, wood chips, and other material. Grass shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns.
(g) Prohibited Tree Species. Within any required landscaping, the following tree species may not be used:
Box Elder | Tree of Heaven | Catalpa | Mulberry |
Black Walnut | Poplar | Willow | Mountain Ash |
Siberian Elm | Black Locust | Hickory |
(h) Maintenance and Replacement Requirements. The owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping in good condition so as to be present in a healthy, neat and orderly appearance. This should be accomplished by the following standards:
(1) All plant growth in landscaped areas shall be controlled by pruning, trimming or other suitable methods so that plant materials do not interfere with public utilities, restrict pedestrian or vehicular access, or otherwise constitute a traffic hazard.
(2) All planted areas shall be maintained in a relatively weed-free condition, clear of undergrowth and free from refuse and debris.
(3) Within two years of installation, all trees, shrubs, ground covers and other plant materials must be replaced if they die or become unhealthy because of accidents, drainage problems, disease or other causes.
(4) Replacement plants shall conform to the standards that govern original installation. Dead or unhealthy plants shall be replaced within the next planting season.
(S) Representatives of the Village shall have the authority to inspect landscaping and check it against the approved plan on file.
(i) Bonding. The Village may as a condition of approval of any Site Plan, require that a bond or irrevocable letter of credit be posted to guarantee completion of all landscaping shown on a Site Plan. (Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)